Introduction
Consumption of alcohol in limited amounts, of course, can be a part of a healthy diet, but when taken regularly in excessive amounts, more than the recommended intake guidelines will surely have a negative impact on the body. The ill health of people between the age group of 15 to 49 in England is caused due to excessive alcohol consumption. People with other health conditions should be aware of the short and long-term effects of alcohol, even those with hormonal imbalances.
How Does Alcohol Affect the Hormonal Level?
When alcohol is consumed, it passes through the small intestine, from where it enters the bloodstream, in less than five minutes. Then, it moves to the brain, where it interferes with the activities of chemical messengers that regulate many functions called hormones. This causes some effects such as:
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Coordination problem.
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Temperature control.
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Slurred speech.
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Acid reflux and vomiting.
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Disturbed sleep.
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Needing to pee more frequently.
How Does Alcohol Impact the Endocrine System?
The impact of alcohol on:
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The Adrenal Gland:
The adrenal gland synthesizes steroidal hormones, which help control metabolism and blood pressure and support the immune system and many other functions. Intake of alcohol disrupts the function of these glands, and long-term use of alcohol may result in adrenal fatigue which
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Reduces the ability of the body to fight against the disease.
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Enhance food cravings.
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Influence weight gain.
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Reduce sexual responses.
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Rise in blood pressure.
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Vitamin C: The body needs to use antioxidants and vitamin C to break down the alcohol, which results in deficiency unless these are taken through supplements or diet.
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Blood Sugar Level: Alcohol influences insulin production in the body, which is the hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. As alcohol consumption increases glucose levels in the body, it causes enhanced blood sugar levels, which causes the risk of type 2 diabetes and hyperglycemia with pre-existing diabetes.
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Cortisol Level: Initially, the cortisol level is reduced by the intake of alcohol, which temporarily inhibits stress. However, on long time consumption of alcohol enhances the level of this hormone, especially in the later stages when the body is withdrawing from alcohol. Enhanced cortisol levels increase stress and anxiety, resulting in digestive issues, mood swings, increased blood pressure, decreased immunity, and disturbed sleep.
What Is the Relationship Between Menopause and Alcohol?
The women's body process alcohol differently than the male body processes it. This process is related to the presence of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which is present in the liver and stomach and plays a significant role in the metabolism of alcohol. Men have an increased presence of active ADH in comparison to females. This results in the absorption of increased alcohol into the bloodstream leading to enhanced intoxication in women.
Age is an important factor in the detoxification of alcohol; with age, the estrogen level decreases in women. Reduced level of estrogen affects the functioning of the liver and cause.
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Cellular and tissue aging.
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Impaired immune response.
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The imbalance between antioxidant formation.
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Oxidative stress.
How Does Alcohol Affect Sex Hormones?
Excessive alcohol intake significantly impacts sex hormones, including estrogen and testosterone. This causes issues in reproductive health and sexual activity in males and females. Initially, alcohol affects the fertility of both sexes, making it very difficult to get pregnant. Alcohol interferes with the production of oxytocin, which is responsible for feelings of love, closeness, and bonding. Reduced oxytocin levels have an impact on maintaining relationships and social skills.
Alcohol Impact on Men:
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Decreased testosterone level.
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Increased estrogen level, which changes secondary sexual characters.
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Reduced sexual arousal and sexual dysfunction.
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Changed sperm structure, function, and development.
Alcohol Impact on Women:
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Enhanced estrogen and related hormones.
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Rise in testosterone and androgen and causing changes in the secondary sexual characters.
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Enhance sexual arousal, as well as cause sexual dysfunction.
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Disruption of the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women.
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Enhanced risk of endometriosis.
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Enhanced risk of breast cancer.
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Worsen signs and symptoms of menopause.
How Long Does It Take to Balance Hormones After Quitting Alcohol?
In most cases, the impact of alcohol on hormonal levels can be reversed, but it takes time to balance the hormonal level. In some, improvement can be witnessed only after a few weeks of treatment. For example, few studies show improvement in calcium levels only after ten days in people with heavy drinkers. Other studies show improvement in insulin synthesis, appetite-inducing hormone, and thyroid activity within 12 weeks of withdrawal from alcohol. Mood and stress-associated hormones, the process takes longer, sometimes taking months to years. This results in difficulties for many people to recover. No matter how alcohol affects the body, the sooner the person gets help, the sooner the system can concentrate on repairing and rebalancing.
How Does Alcohol Influence Calcium Metabolism and Bone Structure?
The hormone plays a significant role in maintaining the calcium level, which is responsible for bone structure and communication between and within the cell. Many hormones like parathyroid hormone, vitamin drive hormone, and calcitonin combine to maintain calcium absorption and distribution among the bones and body fluids.
Consumption of alcohol disrupts hormonal functions and interferes with the metabolism of calcium and bone. It causes a reduction of PTH (parathyroid hormone) and enhances calcium excretion. It interferes with vitamin D metabolism and reduces calcium absorption from food. Consumption of alcohol inhibits bone-forming cell activity. It also enhances cortisol levels, raising stress and blood pressure.
What Are the Effects of Alcohol on the Testosterone Hormone?
Consumption of alcohol enhances the level of cortisol, which decreases the level of testosterone. Alcohol increases the conversion of testosterone to estrogen in the body. Intake of alcohol causes the release of certain endorphins, which can result in reduced synthesis of testosterone. Alcohol damage Leyding cells, which are responsible for the synthesis of testosterone.
Low Testosterone Level Is Associated With:
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Depression.
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Low sex drive.
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Reduce bone and muscle mass.
Consumption of alcohol enhances the secretion of estrogen levels in males, even though the female hormone. As a result, it causes secondary sexual characteristics like enlargement of breasts and voice thining.
Conclusion
Consumption of alcohol has a major impact on hormonal levels in males and females. Intake of alcohol in the proper amount does not cause any effect, but excessive intake leads to many issues. Any alteration in the hormonal level results in many health conditions, such as depression, bone health problems, sexual problems, and menstrual problems. On alcohol withdrawal, these hormonal imbalances can be reversed.
