If there was one area of your life that you could change to achieve perfect health it would be your alcohol intake. Most people, even those who drink moderately, often underestimate the damage that alcohol does to their bodies. It is no wonder that there is such a diverse range of myths and misconceptions surrounding the effects of alcohol.
What will happen to my body if I stop drinking? Will I instantly lose all my weight? Will my skin clear up? Will I become immune to illness? These are some of the most common questions that people ask when they decide to give up alcohol for good. While there is certainly some truth to the above, the reality is far more complicated. Many people, including those who drink moderately, lose a great deal of weight when they quit due to a combination of factors. The benefits that you experience will vary depending on your body weight and the amount of alcohol that you consumed prior to quitting.
The following are the most common effects of alcohol on the human body:
Increased Inertia
This is perhaps the most obvious effect of alcohol. If you drink enough, especially if you drink to intoxication, you will experience increased inertia. You will find it harder to get up and do things. There is also a connection between alcohol and decreased mental agility. The more you drink, the more you will struggle with thinking quickly and clearly. This can make you appear less intelligent.
Even if you do not feel particularly intelligent, you will still be able to function normally. You will simply find it harder to do things that require a high level of intelligence. When you drink alcohol, your body produces a hormone called Somatotropin. This hormone is responsible for increasing protein synthesis in cells. This makes it easier for your body to retain protein when you are starving. It also means that you require less food to maintain the same muscle mass. This, in turn, can lead to weight loss even if you are eating the same as you always do. You may also notice that your skin appears clearer and you have more energy when you are not drinking. These are all signs of alcohol’s positive effect on your body. In short, if you stop drinking, you will almost certainly lose some weight. How much weight you will lose depends on how much you drank before you decided to quit.
Accelerated Aging
Another effect of excessive alcohol consumption is accelerated aging. This occurs as you get older because alcohol is a toxin that builds up over time in your body. Your body will not be able to eliminate this toxin as efficiently as it does toxins that it encounters for the first time. This leads to numerous problems for example, liver damage, which can cause health problems ranging from digestive issues to moodiness and memory loss. Your brain does not produce the necessary enzymes to metabolize alcohol efficiently, resulting in more toxins being stored in your body. Even if you do not drink to intoxication, you will experience accelerated aging due to chronic alcohol consumption. This effect is so powerful that it is considered an “addicting drug” due to the way in which it makes you want to consume it. When you stop drinking, you will experience a boost in energy due to the toxins being removed from your body. However, you will also experience aging as the toxins have been accumulating in your body for years and now need to be expelled. This will result in a great deal of discomfort. While you are undergoing this discomfort, you will not be experiencing the exhilaration that comes with having less toxins in your system. You will, however, emerge stronger and more capable due to the passing of these toxins.
Dementia And Alzheimer’s Disease
Alcohol’s effect on the brain is both devastating and fascinating. On the one hand, it can cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. On the other hand, it can improve your memory and protect against these degenerative diseases. As we have established, alcohol can cause numerous health problems for the human body. If you have ever watched someone who has consumed a large amount of alcohol become belligerent, disorganized, and even violent, then you know that it can do a great deal of damage to the human brain. Alcoholism is a leading cause of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. However, there is also a link between drinking and protection against these diseases. Why is this the case? It is because alcohol can protect your brain from toxins and free radicals. Toxins and free radicals are both harmful substances that the human body encounters on a daily basis. These substances can lead to health problems ranging from heart disease to cancer and dementia. If your body does not produce the necessary enzymes to break down these toxins and free radicals efficiently, then you will accumulate them in your brain over time. This, in turn, can lead to damage and, possibly, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. When you drink alcohol, your body produces a hormone called corticotropin that aids in locating and secreting the hormones that are required to combat stress. This corticotropin hormone also inhibits the formation of ADH, which is alcohol’s metabolizing enzyme. This means that more corticotropin is produced, resulting in more efficient ADH production. This results in fewer toxins being metabolized and, ultimately, excreted by your body. This, in turn, can lead to less mental and physical damage. Your body will, therefore, be better able to resist these diseases and may even prevent them completely. While this link between alcohol and protection against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is fascinating, it should be noted that these are degenerative diseases and if you stop drinking, then it does not mean that you will automatically avoid them. Degenerative diseases are not able to be completely cured, but they can be managed and minimized. This is why it is imperative that you consult a physician before you stop drinking. There will be times when you experience discomfort and while this may be difficult to bear, you will emerge stronger and more capable due to the passing of these toxins. In other words, you will not experience the exhilaration that comes with having less toxins in your system. This is why it is said that there is no such thing as a “cure” for alcoholism, only interventions that can help you manage your disease more effectively. It is also why you should never drink to intoxication as this will cause you to experience all the above symptoms and more. If you do not believe that you have a problem with alcohol, then the first thing that you should do is read the statistics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 453,000 people in the United States will develop Alzheimer’s disease this year. This is a staggering number and one that you should take very seriously. The more you know about this disease, the more you will be empowered to combat it. Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. It is also the most common reason for dementia. If you or someone you know is showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, then it is imperative that you seek medical help as soon as possible. There are medications and medical treatments available that can slow the disease’s progress. If you are interested in finding out more, then click here to continue reading.
Heart Disease And Other Cardiovascular Problems
Alcohol’s effect on the heart is both devastating and fascinating. On the one hand, it can cause cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, it can reduce your cholesterol and protect your heart. If you have ever seen someone who has consumed a large amount of alcohol become belligerent, disorganized, and even violent, then you know that it can do a great deal of damage to the human heart. It is the number one cause of heart disease and other cardiovascular problems. It can also cause atrial fibrillation, which is an abnormal heartbeat that can result in strokes. If you have ever experienced any of the above-mentioned symptoms, then it is imperative that you consult a physician. While there are certainly some natural remedies that you can try, such as adjusting your diet and doing regular exercise, there are also medications that can help. It is important to remember that if you are taking medications for cardiovascular health, then you should not drink as this can cause you to seriously underestimate the effect that alcohol has on your heart. If you are interested in learning more, then click here to continue reading.
Diabetes And Hypertension
If you are reading this, then it is likely that you either have or are at risk for diabetes. If this is the case, then it is imperative that you quit drinking. Why is this the case? It is because alcohol can cause your blood glucose levels to rise. This can make you prone to diabetes. It can also cause hypertension, or high blood pressure. If you do not have diabetes or hypertension, then it is unlikely that you will experience any ill effects from drinking. However, the chances are still there that you could develop the diseases eventually. If you are interested in finding out more, then click here to continue reading.