Question

How does alcoholism affect the body's nutritional status?

Answer 1

alcohol is devoid of proteins, minerals, and vitamins, it actually inhibits the absorption and usage of vital nutrients such as thiamin (vitamin B1), vitamin B12, folic acid, and zinc.many alcoholics suffer from various degrees of both primary and secondary malnutrition. Primary malnutrition occurs when alcohol replaces other nutrients in the diet , resulting in overall reduced nutrient intake. Secondary malnutrition occurs when the drinker consumes adequate nutrients but alcohol interferes with the absorption of those nutrients from the intestine so they are not available to the body.

Alcohol inhibits the natural breakdown of nutrients in several ways:

• Decreasing secretion of digestive enzymes from the pancreas.2
• Impairing nutrient absorption by damaging the cells lining the stomach and intestines.
• Disabling transport of some nutrients into the blood.
• Preventing those nutrients that are absorbed from being fully utilized by altering their transport, storage, and excretion.
• If the person who is drinking to excess is also not eating well, their nutritional deficiencies alone can impair the absorption of nutrients by altering the cells lining the small intestine.