Mechanisms of Metabolism: Physiological Effects

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Mechanisms of Metabolism Physiological Effects

• M. Burns
• FCS 4753

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Session Outcome

• List at least 2 nutritional implications due to
  the physiological effects of the chronic alcohol
  use on each section of the digestive system and
  ancillary organs presented.

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Affected Systems

• Central nervous system, including the brain
• Circulatory system
• Immune system
• Skelto-muscular
• Reproductive
• Digestive

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Physiological Effects Central Nervous System

• Motor cognitive dysfunction
• Slows reaction time, hinders coordination
• Amnesia, hallucinations, dulls senses,
  depression, dementia
• Polyneuritis shrinking of brain cells as they
  die from the effects of the alcohol (related to
  vitamin B deficiencies)

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Alcohols Effect on the Brain
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Physiological Effects Circulatory System

• Absorbed directly into bloodstream
• Cardiomyopathy
• More common in men and African Americans with
  onset age of 40.
• Leads to congestive heart failure
• Coronary artery disease

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Physiological Effects Immune System

• Protein, vitamin B6, and Zinc deficiency
• Depresses function
• Impairment to bone marrow
• Decreases white blood cells
• Liver damage
• Impairs immunoglobulin production

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Physiological Effects Skelto-Muscular System

• Muscle wasting due to muscle being used as an
  energy source.
• Myopathy, or muscle pain
• Osteoporosis (reduction in bone mass)
• Osteomalacia (softening of the bones)

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Physiological Effects Male Reproductive System

• Lowers sperm count/possible infertility
• Testicular atrophy
• Decreased testosterone, increased estrogen
• Impotence
• desire performance

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Physiological Effects Female Reproductive System

• Amenorrhea
• Infertility
• Increased risk of breast cancer, especially if on
  hormone replacement therapy
• Increased severity of PMS symptoms
• Fetal alcohol syndrome
• Spontaneous abortion

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Factors Influencing Absorption

• Alcohol content of beverage
• Total alcohol consumption
• Drinking rate
• Presence/absence of food in stomach
• Carbonation
• Body composition
• Gender

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Alcohol Metabolism
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MEOS Overflow Pathway
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Emerging Research

• Alcohol Clamp Method
• Alcohol given in IV to circumvent alcohol
  absorption
• Cloned cells
• Expose cells to alcohol and investigate metabolic
  pathways

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Physiological/Metabolic Mouth

• Deficient care and neglect
• Trauma (fighting)
• Inflammation
• Periodontal disease
• Gum infection, impaired healing, hypersensitivity

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Physiological Effects Esophagus

• Irritates and inflames
• Damages lower esophageal sphincter
• Nausea and vomiting, chronic heartburn
• Enlarged veins which can rupture during vomiting
  esophageal varices
• Impairs peristalsis

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Physiological Effects Stomach

• Alcoholic gastritis
• painful, burning sensation
• Interferes with gastric acid secretions
• Impaired lining
• peptic ulcers, internal bleeding
• Inflammation

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Physiological Effects Intestines

• 80 of alcohol absorbed here
• Lactase synthesis is decreased
• Duodenal-gastric reflux/ulcer
• Increased permeability of lining
• Diarrhea (rum runs)
• Hyper/hypomotility of nutrients

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Ancillary Digestive Organs

• Pancreas
• Liver
• Kidneys

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Physiological Effects Pancreas

• Pancreatitis
• pancreatic enzymes begin to digest the pancreas
• severe upper abdominal pain
• vomiting
• abdominal muscle spasms

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Physiological Effects Liver

• Impaired detox results in
• Fatty acid synthesis
• Impaired gluconeogenesis
• Impaired protein synthesis
• Inefficient use of calories

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Liver Dysfunction

• Fatty liver
• Alcoholic Hepatitis
• Cirrhosis

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Diagnosing Alcoholic Liver Disease

• GGT (gamma glutamyltransferase)
• AST (aspartate aminotransferase)
• ALT (alanine aminotransferase)

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Physiological Effects Kidneys

• Suppressed antidiuretic hormone
• Increased urinary output but decreased output of
  sodium and potassium
• Increased insulin secretions due to CHO in
  alcohol
• Lowered levels of parathyroid hormone
• Inflammation of nephrons
• Frequent infections

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Moment of Application

• In a group of 3, list at least 2 nutritional
  implications due to the physiological effects of
  the chronic alcohol use on each section of the
  digestive system and ancillary organs presented.