By Dr. Josh Redd, Chiropractic Physician, RedRiver Health and Wellness Center
Many people think of alcohol as a harmless way to unwind and socialize, but alcohol can seriously impact your health. One of the main ways it does this is through the production of toxic byproducts called free radicals, which damage cells and tissues.
Here are a few ways in which alcohol damages the body:
Damages the intestinal lining, leading to a “leaky gut.” This allows toxins and bacteria into the bloodstream, triggering inflammatory-based disorders.
Is a neurotoxin that can damage brain cells, causing brain inflammation, and contributing to a range of neurological problems, including memory loss, trouble thinking and speaking clearly, and seizures.
Can interfere with your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, leading to hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, which causes a stress response.
Heavy alcohol use can lead to ketoacidosis (a serious condition that can be life-threatening) and lactic acidosis (a condition that can lead to organ failure). Alcohol can also lead to fatty liver disease.
Can impair energy levels. NAD+ is a vital molecule in energy production, DNA repair, and cellular metabolism. Alcohol can turn NAD+ into NADH+, lowering energy, impairing DNA repair, increasing inflammation, and speeding up inflammation.
Can shut down liver detoxification, leading to a build-up of toxins in the body and worsening health.
Can damage gut neurons, promoting constipation and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which causes bloating, abdominal pain, and other gut issues.
It’s worth noting that many people don’t realize they are actually alcoholics based on how much they drink.
Our culture normalizes and glorifies drinking through product placements and heavy advertising. In 2017, the top six US alcohol companies spent $2.9 billion on advertising.
Studies have found alcohol advertising is associated with increased consumption and binge drinking, particularly among young people.
Embrace sobriety, feeling good in the morning, and waking up without shame or regret.
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