ALCOHOLISM PHYSICAL EFFECTS

Alcoholism physical effects can include brittle bones, fractures and osteoporosis. Research shows that a glass of dry red wine daily may be beneficial to bone health...but there is a great deal of evidence that more than this can harm bone density.

Calcium is essential for the building of healthy bones but excessive alcohol can decrease calcium absorption and increase calcium losses. The physical effects of alcoholism can include the following:

• Alcohol elevates our Parathyroid hormone (PTH levels) causing a strain on our calcium reserves. Continuous elevation of PTH can cause hyperparathyroidism which further depletes the calcium stored in our bones.
• Alcohol also inhibits the conversion of vitamin D into its active form, thus interfering with the absorption of calcium from the intestines.
• Excessive alcohol also increases magnesium excretion in the urine, which in turn makes calcium absorption difficult and this alone is enough to cause accelerated bone-breakdown.

Alcoholism physical effects can be addressed through supplements....visit Osteoporosis Treatment Guidelines.


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