How alcohol affects nutrition
Alcoholism can lead to malnutrition, not only because chronic drinkers tend to have poor diets, but also because alcohol alters digestion and metabolism of most nutrients.
Because many alcoholics suffer deficiency of vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium, they are at risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis. Impaired liver and pancreatic function may result in faulty fat digestion. Sine alcohol stimulates insulin production, glucose metabolism speeds up and can result in low blood sugar. And alcoholics are often overweight, due to the calories in alcohol.
Severe thiamine deficiency (marked by muscle cramps and wasting, nausea, appetite loss, nerve disorders, and depression) is extremely common, as are deficiencies of folate, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and selenium.
