Alcohol is a common part of social interactions and celebrations in many cultures, but when consumed in excess, the negative effects associated with it are far from celebratory. Short-term effects of alcohol abuse can include accidents and violence, while long-term effects encompass a variety of health problems.
What is Over-Drinking?
Over-drinking refers to consuming alcohol beyond moderate levels. For men, this typically means more than four drinks in a single day or more than 14 drinks per week. For women, it’s more than three drinks in a single day or more than seven drinks per week. Binge drinking—consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short period—is another form of over-drinking and is particularly harmful.
What are the Health Risks?
Our liver can only process small amounts of alcohol. The excess circulates through the body, causing harm to the liver and other organs. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of several cancers, including those of the mouth, throat, esophagus, colon, rectum, liver, and breast (in women).
Alcohol disrupts cell cycles, increases chronic inflammation, and damages DNA - cell's "instruction manual" for growth and function. Damaged DNA can lead to uncontrolled cell growth, resulting in cancer. Additionally, alcohol raises hormone levels like estrogen, contributing to breast cancer development. Drinking alcohol also makes it easier for the cells in our mouth to absorb cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens). For example, alcohol increases the absorption of carcinogens when paired with tobacco use.
What about Red Wine?
Some may argue that drinking red wine is good for the heart due to its beneficial plant compounds known as polyphenols. However, researchers found no association between moderate consumption of red wine and the risk of developing prostate cancer or colorectal cancer.
If you like the antioxidant benefits of red wine, but do not want the alcoholic content, you may consider taking a Grape Seed supplement. It isolates key beneficial compounds such as Polyphenols and Oligomeric Proanthocyanidin Complexes (OPCs) to protect against oxidation by free radicals and support a healthy circulatory system.
If you do need to consume alcohol, taking it in moderation is key. Women should limit intake to one standard drink a day and men to two standard drinks a day. A standard alcoholic drink contains about 10 grams of alcohol and this can be estimated to be one can (330ml) of regular beer, half glass (100ml) of wine, or one nip (30ml) of spirit. If you're taking prescription medicine, including cancer treatment, always check with your doctor if it is safe to drink alcohol.
Protect Your Liver & Kidneys
Our liver and kidneys are key organs that help to filter out toxic substances. Maintaining their health is also essential for various bodily functions such as maintaining fluid balance and breaking down the foods you eat. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to fat accumulation in the liver, inflammation, liver cell death, and permanent scarring.
Holistic Way Liver Detox combines specially selected herbs like milk thistle, dandelion, schisandra, and lecithin to support the health of the liver, kidneys, and bladder. Milk thistle is traditionally used as a liver protectant as it contains silymarin, which may help to repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxic substances. Dandelion root is traditionally used as a diuretic to help remove toxins and increase bile flow to break down fats in the liver. Schisandra contains antioxidants for liver protection, while lecithin helps to emulsify fats. Besides alcohol drinkers, this product is also suitable for those who sleep late and consume a high fat and sugar diet.
Conclusion
While alcohol is woven into the fabric of many social traditions, it’s essential to be mindful of its consumption. Excessive drinking poses serious health risks, including cancer, liver damage, and other chronic conditions. Moderation is key to minimizing these risks, and incorporating liver-supporting supplements can further safeguard your health.
References
Feher, J., Deák, G., Müzes, G., Lang, I., Niederland, V., Nekam, K., & Karteszi, M. (1989). Liver-protective action of silymarin therapy in chronic alcoholic liver diseases. Orvosi hetilap, 130(51), 2723-2727.
Mahboubi, M., & Mahboubi, M. (2020). Hepatoprotection by dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and mechanisms. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 10(1), 1-10.
Zhu, P., Li, J., Fu, X., & Yu, Z. (2019). Schisandra fruits for the management of drug-induced liver injury in China: A review. Phytomedicine, 59, 152760.
Canty, D. J., & Zeisel, S. H. (1994). Lecithin and choline in human health and disease. Nutrition reviews, 52(10), 327-339.
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/alcohol/alcohol-fact-sheet