Tag Archive for 'Alcohol'

Alcohol and Cigarettes Facts

Published on November 26, 2009 in Nutrition. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

alcohol_and_cigarettesMost adults would define cigarettes and alcohol as drugs. Fitness, physical health, mental health and long-term health all suffer as a result of medium- or heavy- drinking. Alcohol is also classified as a food because it contains calories. Cigarettes & Alcohol” is a song by British rock band Oasis, written by Noel Gallagher.

Alcohol and cigarettes account for 0. 9% of money spent on international trade. Adult men seem to be smoking less, women and teenagers of both male and female seem to be smoking more. Drinking modest, sensible amounts of alcohol, however, can be good for you. Smoking is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 deaths in the United States.

The average drink has about the same calorie count as a large potato but, unlike a potato or any other food, alcohol has no nutritional value. Many of the social effects of alcohol are psychological and cultural. Smoking causes cancer and increases the rate of ageing, by damaging the DNA inside cells. Continue reading ‘Alcohol and Cigarettes Facts’

Alcohol Addiction and Rehabilitation Explained

Published on November 26, 2009 in Nutrition. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Who needs alcohol rehab?

Alcohol rehab is the not discussed as much in the public domain as drug rehab, with stories most weeks in the press about celebrities going in to residential rehabilitation centres for drug addiction. Whilst drugs and drug rehab are discussed widely, it is in fact alcohol that is the much bigger killer. For every drug-related death, there are 10 people who die from alcohol-related illnesses, sudden death or accidents. Alcohol rehab in a residential environment is an intensive treatment method, which can stop the inevitable decline of the alcoholic towards a premature death. Whilst in alcohol rehab, other addictions are often uncovered as well and can be very successfully treated. In short, anyone with a dependence upon alcohol can benefit from alcohol rehab – you don’t have to lose everything before benefiting from specialist treatment for alcoholism.

What happens in alcohol rehab?

Alcohol rehab clinics are very often residential programmes, where the individual stays in accommodation in or around the treatment facility. They provide addiction counselling to help dependent drinkers overcome their illness. The initial phase of treatment within an alcohol rehab is typically very intensive, running 7 days a week, with group and individual counselling, complementary therapies such as art, drama, and music, as well as social activities to help people learn how to interact with others without the need for alcohol.

Do alcohol rehab centres deal with other addictions?

The intensive nature of the treatment at an alcohol rehab will very often uncover underlying addictions. Once the individual has been detoxed from alcohol, other addictive behaviours may spring up – this is called cross-addiction, which is where the individual will become addicted to another substance or behaviour, when they stop drinking alcohol. Cross-addiction can be carefully monitored and managed within an alcohol rehababiliation clinic, with the individual who is affected learning about how to manage their condition. The most common legal behaviours and substances which alcoholics can cross addict to are:

Food / sugar

Either overeating or undereating can create a mood-altering effect. Alcoholism can mean that individuals are malnourished when they enter an alcohol rehab, so individuals are encouraged to eat three, well-balanced meals a day to restore nutritional balance to the body and promote mental and physical well-being naturally.

Nicotine

Where drugs kill one person and alcohol kills 10, cigarette smoking causes 100 deaths. It is by far the biggest killer in terms of addiction. People who stop drinking alcohol often report that in the early days of recovery they smoke more cigarettes, or even start smoking. This can be managed in the short term with good advice about smoking, and in the longer term by quitting altogether, once the alcoholism has been treated effectively by the alcohol rehab.

Prescription drugs

Most alcohol rehab centres will insist upon full monitoring of all drug ingestion, as some prescription and over the counter medications can be abused for a mood-altering effect. Codeine-based medications and benzodiazepines such as valium are commonly abused.

Caffeine

Some alcoholics report drinking 15 to 20 cups of coffee a day when they try to stop drinking. This can be dangerous for some alcoholics in the long term, as it can be used in a similar way to other drugs to mask feelings. When combined with sugar, the mood-altering effect is increased, so drinking caffeine-based energy drinks needs to be monitored carefully.

Sex, love and co-dependent relationships

This is a very common underlying addiction, often uncovered whilst the person is being treated in an alcohol rehab. This is where relationships are used in a mood-altering capacity. Sex is sought out to feel high and for personal validation. Love becomes addictive yet very unsatisfying just like alcohol or drugs. Co-dependent individuals take on other people’s feelings and emotions way beyond healthy boundaries and often expect to be taken care of, or conversely, try to avoid their own emotions and life situations by helping others compulsively and obsessively.

Exercise

The mood-altering effects of exercise, particularly in terms of endorphin production, can become addictive. However, moderate physical exercise is recommended, for its well-documented health benefits.

Work

Whilst in a residential alcohol rehab, individuals will not be working at their usual profession or place of employment. It is not unusual, however, for individuals to be preoccupied with matters relating to work, again as a method of avoiding having to think about their emotions. Successful treatment depends on the individual learning how to manage their emotions effectively, without the need for a mood-altering substance or behaviour, so very often alcohol rehab centres will place a ban in the first few weeks on mobile telephones, internet access, email devices, and other means of making contact with the outside world, so that people can completely concentrate on their recovery.

Overspending

Spending money recklessly, with little or no thought for budgeting, can be a very addictive behaviour. The associated high with buying something new is a similar mental process to the effect of taking the first drink. The down side is often feelings of guilt or shame for indulging in this behaviour, particularly when essential bills are not being paid as a result of spending too much. It is important that this behaviour is stabilised so as not to extend the chaotic lifestyle of the person beyond treatment

Take Care Of Your Body And Avoid Alcohol

Published on November 25, 2009 in Nutrition. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Alcohol is the universal drink whenever celebrations or get together comes. Although it is considered as a kind of chemical that has a formidable effect on the body and it is not labeled as food. There are several kinds of alcohol. There is alcohol that people use externally and another that the body use internally. Drinkable alcohol is ethyl alcohol. Fermentation is the process that is used to make the alcohol that people drink. Even though alcohol is widely drank by almost everyone, there are several health considerations on what alcohol can do to our body. How does alcohol affect the body? – If a person drank only a small amount of alcohol, it can make him feel relaxed. – If a person drank more than what is expected, there may have certain alterations with the person’s attitude and behavior. The person can do silly or violent things and their movements become uncoordinated. Truth is, when a person drinks alcohol, no matter how much the intake is, the only thing that is affected is that person’s balance and coordination. That’s it. It doesn’t affect the way people think and speak. When alcohol goes into a person’s bloodstream, it slows down whatever messages that are coming into the brain because alcohol is a depressant drug. That’s why when you feel depressed and you drink alcohol, you will feel more depressed. Alcohol affects the liver badly. Especially if you made alcohol drinking as part of your everyday living. When it goes to the system, it will take the liver about 24-48 hours to excrete every single alcohol inside the body. When the liver can no longer clean the alcohol, it stays on the liver, thus diseases like liver cirrhosis are produced. There are several factors that can influence a person to drink alcohol: – Peer pressure. If you’ve chosen a group of friends that drinks alcohol severely, it will seem that you’re out of place if you didn’t try even a sip. As long as you are within the group, you’ll start to enjoy the taste of alcohol and want more. – Socialization. Gathering and celebrations always entail alcohol drinking. It is very seldom that you encounter a party without alcohol. – Curiosity. Kids often get curious with the way adults drink alcohol. When they see their parents drinking, they will ask themselves a lot of things. And because the environment of laughter and cheers are very inviting, there will come a time when they will take the opportunity of trying too. – Depression. Your boss hates you. Your girlfriend dumped you. You’re completely broke. When you arrive home, there, you see the three bottles of beer sitting on top of your fridge. You grab it and start wondering how your life can end at the very moment. During sadness and melancholy times, a bottle of beer is your only best friend. Drinking alcohol can have its benefits and downfalls. It can greatly affect a person’s entire being and the way he deals with other people. One very good benefit of alcohol is that it can dilate blood vessels with the prescribed amount by the doctor. Thus, increasing the amount of blood that flows around the body which is good for the heart. Realizing all the good and bad factors alcohol bring, it would be safe to say that if you can’t avoid it totally, then for your personal health care, drink moderately.

Help I Am Allergic To Alcohol

Published on November 24, 2009 in Nutrition. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

If you are truly allergic to alcohol then you suffer from Allergies Type 1, also called Contact Allergies. Doctor Vincent Crump of the Auckland Allergy Clinic suggests that it is more often than not, the other ingredients that cause the allergic reaction such as yeast and sulphur dioxide instead of the alcohol itself.
It is unknown how may people suffer from allergies to alcohol products because many of the normal symptoms associated with drinking alcohol are also associated with allergic reaction. Redding of the skin on the face and neck, itchy eyes and nose, hives, loss of motor functions, vomiting, and eczema are typical reactions to the contents of wine and beer and also symptoms of allergic alcohol reactions.
Some people of Asian descent experience an unusual flushing reaction after ingestion of alcohol. This is believed to be cause by a genetic disorder. The body is unable to break down alcohol properly. It has been suggested that anyone who experiences a flushing reaction after drinking alcohol could be at risk for cancer of the esophagus, liver disease, and other alcohol-related conditions.
Sulphur Dioxide has been added to wines since the Roman times. Is inhibits yeast growth, preventing the wine from turning into vinegar thus giving wine a longer shelf life. Sulphur Dioxide also helps to give aged wine the its many distinct flavors. There are limits to the amount additional sulphur dioxide winemakers are permitted to add. Wines containing more that 25 parts per million of sulphur dioxide are required to be listed on the wine label.
Allergies to yeast found in wine and beer, although rare, may cause allergic reaction and is usually manifested in the form of hives.
Red wine contains more histamine than White wines. Taking antihistamines prior to drinking wines may help reduce the allergic effects of histamines. Fruit wines contain lower levels of histamines than wines made of grapes.
Egg white is commonly used in the fining process. Fining is the process where unwanted organisms are remove by the addition of egg whites or bentonite. The solids fall out of suspension and are removed, thus creating a clear wine. None of the egg white or bentonite is supposed to remain in the wine after the fining process is completed so egg whites and bentonite are not listed on the label as part of the wine ingredients.
If you are unsure what is giving you problems you could try the Food Challenge Test. Avoid all allergy causing foods and drinks for several weeks. The doctor will then give you a pill of each suspected agent one at a time under close supervision. If symptoms appear within two hours after the taking the pill then you are allergic to it and will need to avoid it.
Always consult your doctor before using this information.
This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

Revealed: Alcohol Consumption Slows Your Weight Loss

Published on November 24, 2009 in Nutrition. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Alcohol, when consumed into the human body, is converted to carbohydrates and, just like everything else we eat and drink, should be consumed in moderation. Too much or too little of anything is by and large a bad idea. A regular 12 fluid ounce beer has about 13g of carbs in it, while a light beer of the same portion provides you with about 4. 5g of carbs. Contrary to what many people think, alcohols such as gin, rum, vodka, and whisky have hardly any carbs at all.

Now, seeing as how carbohydrates are the body’s preferred source of fuel, this should make drinking alcohol good, right? Wrong. Just like refined sugar, alcohol provides us with simple carbs ones that are easily and quickly passed through our system and generally contain more fat than complex carbs. Other carbs, such as complex carbs, provide us with more fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Neither types are bad for us actually, both are necessary we just need many more complex carbs in order to function properly.

Simple carbohydrates are not just found in alcohol and sugar; they are present in many types of food. They are contained in milk, and the vitamins and minerals found in milk are nutritionally necessary for a healthy body. The simple carbs in milk are a good thing, where a simple carb like sucrose and alcohol isn’t quite as important. Drinking alcohol also generally tends to cause your blood sugar levels to be quite unstable, which can make you feel hungry and crave sweet-tasting food. This can lead to such problems as obesity.

Continue reading ‘Revealed: Alcohol Consumption Slows Your Weight Loss’

Nutrition Facts: Alcohol, Antioxidants, Caffeine And Calcium

Published on November 24, 2009 in Nutrition. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

In this article you will learn some simple nutrition facts about alcohol, antioxidants, caffeine and calcium.
Too much alcohol can raise the levels of fats in the blood, lead to high blood pressure, heart failure and increased calories. Too many calories lead to obesity and a higher risk of developing diabetes. Excessive and binge drinking can lead to stroke.
The American Heart Association recommends if you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Moderation means an average of one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. A drink is equivalent to 12 oz. of beer, 4 oz. of wine, 1. 5 oz. of 80-proof spirits, or 1 oz. of 100-proof spirits. Drinking more than this increases all the health risks as noted above. In addition, it is not possible to predict in which people alcoholism will become a problem. The American Heart Association cautions people not to start drinking if they do not already drink alcohol.
Pregnant women should not drink alcohol in any form; it can harm the baby seriously.
Antioxidant vitamins
There has been a lot of research recently focused on how antioxidant vitamins may reduce cardiovascular disease risk. The data is incomplete; however, up to 30 percent of Americans are taking some form of antioxidant supplement.
The American Heart Association does not recommend people using antioxidant vitamin supplements until more complete data is available. They recommend people eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods daily from all the basic food groups. Eat a variety of foods low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol to provide a natural source of these vitamins, minerals and fiber.
Caffeine
The metabolic effects of caffeine include:
• Stimulates the central nervous system
• Releases free fatty acids from adipose (fatty) tissue
• Affects the kidneys by increasing urination, which can lead to dehydration
Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate and some nuts.
The American Heart Association says moderate coffee drinking (1-2 cups per day does not seem to be harmful.
Caffeine withdrawal symptoms may occur 12 to 24 hours after the last dose of caffeine in individuals who are habitual caffeine drinkers. The most prominent symptom is headache. Other withdrawal symptoms may include:
• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Drowsiness
• Depression
Although many studies show there is a direct link between caffeine, coffee drinking and coronary heart disease, the results are conflicting.
Calcium
To help reduce the risk of developing the bone disease osteoporosis most physicians encourage women to eat fat-free and low-fat dairy products to get calcium.
The American Heart Association recommends women should aim to consume between 1,000 and 1,200 milligrams of calcium each day. Excellent sources of calcium include:
• Fat-free milk
• Low-fat dairy products
Other sources of calcium include:
• Eating vegetable greens like spinach, kale and broccoli
• Some legumes and soybean products
To date, scientists do not have enough information to know if calcium intake affects the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Adequate daily intake according to data from the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine includes:
• 210 mg for infants from birth to 6 months, 270 mg for age 6 months to 1 year
• 500 mg for children age 1-3; 800 mg for ages 4-8
• 1,300 mg for children and adolescents age 9-18
• 1,000 mg for adults ages 19-50 (for maximal calcium retention)
• 1,200 mg for adults ages 51 and older
• 1300 mg for women who are pregnant and under age 19; 1000 mg for pregnant women ages 19-50
Source: American Heart Association
Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. Article written 4-2007.