Background:

Problems Alcohol Can Cause

Alcohol consumption has been associated with many diseases, liver disorders being some of the most common. Recently, cancer has been added to the list of possible diseases associated with alcohol. The production of reactive and harmful radicals is also a potential threat. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a severe problem for the unborn children of mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy.

Root of the Problems

Reactive oxygen species are a main concern brought by acetaldehyde in chronic drinkers. These activated molecules react with the cell's defense system and with various thiols to inhibit the cell's ability to adapt and cope with many stresses.

Ethanol related Liver Disease

Alcoholic liver disease can result from excess drinking, due in part to excess fatty acid uptake. As stated earlier, excessive ethanol consumption may lead to higher fat storage in the liver. This increased fat storage has, in turn, been associated with increased quantities of fatty acids in the blood, leading to further alcoholic liver disease. (See Figure 5 for a view of a fatty liver and a healthy liver.) Other diseases that have been attributed to excess alcohol consumption and increased quantities of fatty acids in the blood: obesity, type II diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Bradbury (2006) discusses consequences of excess fatty acid uptake by the liver, including increased storage, steatosis, and lipid peroxidation, which may not only provide insight into the causes of alcoholic liver disease but also into the causes of other types of liver disease by exposing the mechanism in which acetaldehyde causes harmful reactions, including excess fat storage in the liver. (Bradbury 2006)

Acetaldehyde related Cancer

Alcohol consumption may also be related to various types of cancer, including cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, colon, rectum, breast (in women), and possibly of the pancreas and lung as well. (See Figure 6 for a view of the abnormal cancer cells) The process by which this occurs is unknown at this time, but may have to do with “: a genotoxic effect of acetaldehyde, the main metabolite of ethanol; increased estrogen concentration, which is important for breast carcinogenesis; a role as solvent for tobacco carcinogens; production of reactive oxygen species and nitrogen species; and changes in folate metabolism.” (Boffetta and Hashibe)

Read on to see more about how your liver functions and how alcohol can inhibit proper functioning.

Figure 5a: Fatty Liver

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Figure 5b: Healthy Liver

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Figure 6: Cancer Cells

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