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1st year - Nutrition I > Alcohol > Flashcards

Flashcards in Alcohol Deck (4)
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1
Q

Describe the nutritional value of alcohol

A

Caloric value: 7kcal/g of pure alcohol
Empty calories
~10% of total energy intake of moderate consumers
~50% of total energy intake of alcoholics

2
Q

Outline the metabolism of alcohol

A

Water and lipid soluble
Readily absorbed through entire GI tract (including stomach)
Transported unaltered through blood
Enters cells easily through passive transport
Denatures proteins in blood and destroys cell structure
Oxidatively degraded in tissues (mainly liver)

Enzymes involved:
Alcohol dehydrogenase - mostly hepatic, some gastric
Cytochrome P450 system (microsomal ethanol oxidizing system - MEOS) - hepatic
Catalase - minimal <2% & in presence of H2O

3
Q

Discuss potential disadvantages of alcohol consumption

A
Can cause several biochemical and metabolic alterations:
Acetaldehyde toxicity
High NDAH:NAD+ ratio
Choline deficiency
Substrate competition
Induced metabolic tolerance
4
Q

Discuss potential positive effects of alcohol consumption

A

Alcohol can decrease risk of CVD by:
Elevating HDL
Lowering serum lipoprotein
May suppress proliferation do smooth muscle cells underlying the endothelium of arterial walls