Let's Talk About "ALCOHOL"!
Alrighty then . . . I know this is a topic that many of you don't want to have . . . but it's a necessary one.
Especially, with this pandemic . . . and if you want to lose weight!
Did you know that "alcohol" sales in the U.S. went up 16% this past year?
With beer still being the #1 choice of most Americans, and spending over $37 billion drinking it just last year,
And what were the runners up?
Smirnoff vodka costing - $315 million
Captain Morgan rum - $224 million
Jack Daniel's whiskey -$219 million
Bacardi rum - $180 million
And the list goes on . . .
Oh man . . . that's a lot of money spent on alcohol . . .
But . . . that's not today's topic . . . even though money is a concern in this crazy time we live in.
My concern is what it's doing to our physical and mental health.
I've spoken in many other Health tip about the depletion of our "good" bacteria. And how our "bad" bacteria takes control and causes all of our ailments . . . big or small . . . even weight issue.
And I've told you about how one of the byproducts of "bad" bacteria it "ethanol" . . .
Well . . . "ethanol" is also "alcohol" and vice versa
And "alcohol" causes the release of free radials that can damage our DNA. And with this . . . it also stops the absorption of iron, with iron being the most important "oxygen" support in the blood.
So what else can happen when we have that "comfort drink"???
Well . . . "alcohol" is harmful to our enzymes and the body sees it as a "poison" and "toxin".
It elevated our liver enzymes and neurological enzymes, which can cause damage to them. "Alcohol" inhibits the breakdown of "nutrients" into usable molecule by decreasing secretion of digestive enzymes from the "pancreas".
"Alcohol" impairs "nutrient absorption" by damaging the cell lining of the stomach and intestines, disabling transport of some nutrients in the blood.
And with this . . . it puts us at a higher risk for "cancer". The National Toxicology Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists consumption of "alcohol" beverages as a known "HUMAN CARCINOGEN".
As we've spoken before . . . "alcohol" can damage our DNA, protein and lipids (fats) through a process called "oxidation".
It also impairs the body's ability to "break down" and "absorb" vitamin A, "B complex", C, D E and carotenoids. And we know that "B complex" is one of the key vitamins to losing weight.
And the worst part for women . . . it increases the blood levels of "estrogen" which has been linked to "breast cancer".
"Alcohol" kills our "good" bacteria and serves as a "fertilizer" to help our "bad" bacteria grow fast and out of control.
So how do we know if "alcohol" is affecting us negatively???
Well . . . besides the signs we can visibly see like changes in behavior, slurred speech and coordination . . .
It also affects the "immune system". It slows this system down making bacteria-fighting white blood cells "sluggish" and much less efficient. This leaving us wide open for illnesses like "pneumonia" and a greater risk for "cancer".
"Alcohol" inhibits new bone production, putting the body at risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.
It can also inhibit hormone production like in erectile dysfunction causing infertility. And in women, it can cause a ceasing of menstruation and infertility. And as we spoke earlier, it can increase the risk of breast cancer.
As for the "circulatory system" . . . this may poison the heart muscle cells, cause irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, stroke or heart attack.
And the "digestive system" where so many of us have a problems . . . drinking "alcohol" can seriously damage it and quickly! "Alcohol" makes it difficult for the intestines to control bacteria and absorb nutrients that can lead to malnutrition causing . . .
Salivary gland damage, gum disease and tooth decay, esophageal ulcers, acid reflux and heartburn, stomach ulcers and gastritis, internal bleeding and hemorrhoids.
And finally the "excretory system" . . . this is our elimination system of toxins. And drinking "alcohol" can cause the "pancreas" to lose normal "insulin" production and create toxic substances that can lead to its destruction.
And as we know . . . we need the "pancreas" and its "insulin" to help with weight loss.
We'll talk more about that soon.
But tomorrow we'll talk about what happens if the body can't eliminate this "alcohol" efficiently and weight gain.
As always, feel free to contact me here