Healthy RGV Issue 113

FITNESS & BEAUTY · APRIL 2018
For years, research scientists and
the medical community have
known that there are negative
long-term effects of heavy alcohol
consumption, but until recently,
they’d not yet studied with overconsumption
of alcohol does to the brain long-term.
Recent studies have pointed to significant
brain damage as a result of heavy alcohol
consumption. They’ve found that heavy
drinking can’t kill brain cells as previously
believed, but it does damage the dendrites.
These are the branch-like ends of the brain
cells. They are key components in passing
messages from one neuron to another.
Any degradation of the dendrites may
cause significant cognitive impairment. The
research also suggests that any dendrite
damage may be reverse with specific,
targeted therapies and training, but there
are no guarantees that those treatments
will work in every case. Differing levels have
damage can result in different outcomes.
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome is another
brain disorder that alcoholics could suffer
from. In this condition, memory impairment,
significant confusion, eye paralysis, and
decreasing levels of muscle coordination
significantly lessens the quality of life for
those affected. In contrast to the previously
discussed condition, this syndrome does not
lead to brain cell death because it isn’t the
result of the alcohol specifically. It occurs due
to a thiamine deficiency.
Thiamine, an important B vitamin, is crucial
to neuron health. Consuming large quantities
of alcohol leads to a thiamine deficiency
by disrupting the body’s ability to absorb
it. Alcoholics tend to drink more of their
calories, thus, making them malnourished.
That malnourishment adds to the depletion
of thiamine reserves in the body.
For years, we’ve been led to believe that
brain cells are destroyed with high alcohol
consumption. That’s a myth. There’s no
evidence that moderate alcohol consumption
kills brain cells or damages them in any way.
In order to actually kill brain cells, one would
have to consume a fatal amount of alcohol,
thus, killing themselves in the process. While
it’s now noted that there can be significant
brain damage, none of the current evidence
points to any actual brain cell damage.
However, as noted previously, there is a
strong correlation between consuming large
quantities of alcohol and major impairments.
There is also strong evidence that
heavy consumption of alcohol
leads to a vast array of social and
socioeconomic problems.
As with any potential
harmful substance, there
are risks that need to be
considered. Follow the
healthcare guidelines to
avoid these complications.
If you believe you might
have an alcohol problem, seek help before
it’s too late. Much of the damage done as a
result of heavy drinking cannot be reversed.
Be proactive in your healthcare and seek help
when needed. Rampant alcohol consumption
may be seen as a harmless norm, but
healthcare professionals and those struck
with significant impairments know all too well
just how life-altering the seemingly harmless
substance can be. For more information
about alcohol and how it can affect you, seek
counsel from your healthcare provider and
get the answers and resources you need to
live a long, full life.
By Harold Levi
36 HEALTHY MAGAZINE