Alcohol - Toxic Effects

Toxic Effects of Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol-Related Disorders

Cardiovascular System

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause Cardiomyopathy.

 Excessive long-term consumption of Alcohol may cause Cerebral Insufficiency (i.e., insufficient Blood Circulation to the Brain).

 Long-term excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause Congestive Heart Failure.

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may damage the Heart.

 Alcohol may elevate Blood Pressure in Hypertension patients, and continual excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause Hypertension:  ^[1]

 However, small quantities of Alcohol may paradoxically reduce Blood Pressure.

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause Macrocytic Anemia.  ^[2]

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause Macrocytosis.  Excessive Alcohol causes Macrocytosis via Bone Marrow Dysplasia.  ^[3]

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol (7 or more drinks per day) may increase the risk of Stroke:  ^[4]

  However, moderate consumption of Alcohol (1 - 2 drinks per day) may help to prevent Stroke.

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol (forms of Alcohol other than Red Wine) may increase the risk of Thrombosis - although Alcohol initially reduces the tendency of Platelets to aggregate (Blood Clotting) by up to 70%, a rebound effect follows for the next 18 hours, during which the risk of Thrombosis dramatically increases by up to 124% known as the Platelet Rebound Effect.  This accounts for the increased incidence of Stroke in Alcohol (except Red Wine) drinkers in the period immediately following drinking.

Cells

 Alcohol dissolves in and fluidizes Cell Membranes:  ^[5]

 Alcohol may cause endogenous Cholesterol production within the Cell Membranes to revert the Cell Membranes to a less fluid state.  This additional Cholesterol is later ejected from the Cell Membranes via the bloodstream to the Liver for conversion to Bile Acids, thereby elevating total serum Cholesterol levels.

 Alcohol contributes two carbon Acetic Acid chains toward the manufacture of endogenous Cholesterol.

Digestive System

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause Cholestasis and impaired delivery of Bile to the Intestines, often due to congested Liver.  ^[6]

 Excessive oral intake of Alcohol may damage the Duodenum.

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause irritation and Inflammation of the Gastric Mucosa.

 Excessive Alcohol consumption may cause Gastritis by causing irritation of the lining of the Stomach.  ^[7]

 Alcohol causes Heartburn by relaxing the lower Esophageal Sphincter and decreasing peristaltic force.

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause Hypochlorhydria.  ^[8]

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause irritation and Inflammation of the Intestines.

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause Intestinal Permeability.  ^[9]

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause severe Free Radicals-induced damage to the Pancreas:  ^[10]

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause Pancreatic Insufficiency.  ^[11]

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause Pancreatitis. Approximately 80% of cases of Pancreatitis are caused by excessive alcohol consumption.  ^[12]

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause Peptic Ulcers:  ^[13]

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause Gastric Ulcers.

 Excessive oral consumption of Alcohol may irritate and cause Inflammation of the lining of the Stomach, known as Alcohol-induced Gastric lesions.

Ears/Hearing

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause Tinnitus.  ^[14]

Excretory System

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may cause Foot Odor.

Eyes/Vision

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may increase the risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD).  ^[15]

Immune System

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may increase the risk of Allergies.  ^[16]

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may increase the risk of many types of Cancer, including ^[17]

  Breast Cancer (however, this claim was made on the basis of research undertaken during the 1980s - more recent research disputes the ability of Alcohol to induce Breast Cancer).  ^[18]

  Colon Cancer  ^[19]

  Esophagus Cancer  ^[20]

  Larynx Cancer  ^[21]

  Liver Cancer  ^[22]

 Alcohol may increase the risk of Mouth Cancer. For example, consumption of four or more Alcoholic Beverages per day triples the risk of dying from Mouth Cancer.  ^[23]

 Alcohol may increase the risk of Pancreatic Cancer.  ^[24]

 Alcohol may increase the risk of Pharynx Cancer (Throat Cancer) - for example, consumption of four or more Alcoholic Beverages per day triples the risk of dying from Pharynx Cancer.  ^[25]

 Prostate Cancer  ^[26]

 Alcohol may increase the risk of the Malignant Melanoma form of Skin Cancer.

 Stomach Cancer

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may increase the risk of Helicobacter pylori infection.  ^[27]

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may suppress the Immune System.  ^[28]

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may interfere with the function of Neutrophils.  ^[29]

Metabolism

 Alcohol may decrease Athletic Performance by at least 10%.  ^[30]

 Alcohol may stimulate the process of Cross-Linking via its conversion to Acetaldehyde.  ^[31]

 Excessive consumption of Alcohol may increase the risk of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2.  However, light to moderate consumption of Alcohol helps to prevent Insulin Resistance.  ^[32]

 Alcohol may cause (temporary) Hemochromatosis by increasing the body's Iron stores.  ^[33]

 Alcohol may cause reactive Hypoglycemia.  ^[34]

 Excessive consumption of more than two alcoholic drinks per day may cause Insulin Resistance.  However, moderate consumption of Alcohol helps to prevent Insulin Resistance.  ^[35]