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Can Heavy Alcohol Consumption Lead To Vitamin D Deficiency?
Question: Id I drink around 20 units of alcohol twice to three times a week (40-60 units of alcohol) on bindge drink days, and have done for 5 years. What are the chances of me having a vitamin B deficecy. Also, on the days I do that there would be little to no food consumed. In the other days of the week I wont touch any alcohol and try to eat a very good diet. I also now take a supplement b complex and all other supplements. But how much folate should I take on days I do the bindge drink? I plan to cut down when im older.
Thanks
Thanks
Brief Answer:
about no risk
Detailed Answer:
if someone takes a supplement of b vitamins, one has enough b vitamins.
20 units of alcohol ? I do not know what that means. Generally the unit of alcohol (the drink) about 200 cc of beer, 100-150 cc of wine, 30 cc of distilled spirits would be the usual unit. Twenty of these at one time would be well beyond the lethal range, so I think we are using different units.
The usual doses of supplements are one mg per day of folic acid and 100 mg per day of thiamine. The displacement of food with alcohol will have a number of other bad consequences, chief among them is irritation/damage/scarring of the liver. Again, I do not know what a unit of alcohol is, if it is not the drink and cannot comment very well without knowing the amount of alcohol.
Certainly there are also a very large number of effects of alcohol on mentation that occur and that these effects are often not reversible and not preventable by vitamin supplements.
about no risk
Detailed Answer:
if someone takes a supplement of b vitamins, one has enough b vitamins.
20 units of alcohol ? I do not know what that means. Generally the unit of alcohol (the drink) about 200 cc of beer, 100-150 cc of wine, 30 cc of distilled spirits would be the usual unit. Twenty of these at one time would be well beyond the lethal range, so I think we are using different units.
The usual doses of supplements are one mg per day of folic acid and 100 mg per day of thiamine. The displacement of food with alcohol will have a number of other bad consequences, chief among them is irritation/damage/scarring of the liver. Again, I do not know what a unit of alcohol is, if it is not the drink and cannot comment very well without knowing the amount of alcohol.
Certainly there are also a very large number of effects of alcohol on mentation that occur and that these effects are often not reversible and not preventable by vitamin supplements.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello,
Units of alcohol is a system by Uk government, I think you can find details of it.
or 1 450ml 4% alcohol beer is = 1.8 Units. so 12 beers are around 20 units of alcohol.
I've had liver test it was fine. But I find MCV was 100, so I suspected maybe vitamin B problem and I supplemented since. But wonder if I should be having 800ug of Folate instead of only 400 when drinking alcohol in large amount?
Thanks
Units of alcohol is a system by Uk government, I think you can find details of it.
or 1 450ml 4% alcohol beer is = 1.8 Units. so 12 beers are around 20 units of alcohol.
I've had liver test it was fine. But I find MCV was 100, so I suspected maybe vitamin B problem and I supplemented since. But wonder if I should be having 800ug of Folate instead of only 400 when drinking alcohol in large amount?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
ok.. thank you.
Detailed Answer:
1000 ug is one milligram. 400 seems too low. 800 is pretty close to 1000. I'd recommend the 1000. Then, MCV could be due to also b12 but that isn't inhibited by much. It is present in any animal product (meat, but milk, liver also and it's not common for people to be low on it unless they are elderly, have a very disfunctional bowel or very vegan). 12 beers is really a lot. There are issues of fluid and electrolytes from a large amount of water in a day without any salts. 12 beers also seems to be near 5 litres. Wow, that will have effects. Calories/carbohydrate input and fluid input gets to be a consideration at over a gallon in a day. Liver enzymes are not a perfect measure but they also are not a bad measure and if never elevated, it implies not a lot of damage. MCV is not a measure of liver disease or cirrhosis. and 100 is not that elevated. Can see if the supplements help, if there is anemia or low platelets in addition to the MCV. Since MCV is used as a measure or indicator or marker of alcohol intake regardless of vitamin level, I suspect it will remain (slightly) elevated and anemia/platelets/liver damage are entirely separate issues. The vitamins can ONLY HELP. ALso measures of liver function, protein production (albumin, clotting proteins) and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, phosphate, magnesium) might all be affected by a large volume of beer (or not affected at all). Low proteins are a serious marker of liver problems. Electrolytes are something that needs correction and would be just volume and not alcohol AND entirely correctable.
It's reasonable to go with a full supplement. Thiamine deficiency is really potentially life-threatening and the MCV might not reflect it. Preventable.
ok.. thank you.
Detailed Answer:
1000 ug is one milligram. 400 seems too low. 800 is pretty close to 1000. I'd recommend the 1000. Then, MCV could be due to also b12 but that isn't inhibited by much. It is present in any animal product (meat, but milk, liver also and it's not common for people to be low on it unless they are elderly, have a very disfunctional bowel or very vegan). 12 beers is really a lot. There are issues of fluid and electrolytes from a large amount of water in a day without any salts. 12 beers also seems to be near 5 litres. Wow, that will have effects. Calories/carbohydrate input and fluid input gets to be a consideration at over a gallon in a day. Liver enzymes are not a perfect measure but they also are not a bad measure and if never elevated, it implies not a lot of damage. MCV is not a measure of liver disease or cirrhosis. and 100 is not that elevated. Can see if the supplements help, if there is anemia or low platelets in addition to the MCV. Since MCV is used as a measure or indicator or marker of alcohol intake regardless of vitamin level, I suspect it will remain (slightly) elevated and anemia/platelets/liver damage are entirely separate issues. The vitamins can ONLY HELP. ALso measures of liver function, protein production (albumin, clotting proteins) and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, phosphate, magnesium) might all be affected by a large volume of beer (or not affected at all). Low proteins are a serious marker of liver problems. Electrolytes are something that needs correction and would be just volume and not alcohol AND entirely correctable.
It's reasonable to go with a full supplement. Thiamine deficiency is really potentially life-threatening and the MCV might not reflect it. Preventable.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your reply. Do you think that having less water volume ( a few strong beers) opposed to lots of weak beers would be a better option for me?
Thanks
PS. I've just uploaded the last blood test I had not too long ago.
Thanks
PS. I've just uploaded the last blood test I had not too long ago.
Brief Answer:
several features.
Detailed Answer:
First there is the total amount of alcohol as a danger. 5 drinks in under an hour gets to be potentially hazardous.
Second, there is the pattern of drinking which often leads to further problems. The best indicator is hospitalizations, legal issues, relationship issues...what people have had happen in the past is a good indicator of their future. It's highly variable. Some people get stomach and pancreas irritation from 3 drinks taken rapidly (that's a bit less than expected AND.. I see questions from people in this category hourly). And if someone has had 5 drinks once or twice a week for years and NO problems, it's a bit random to say they are going to start now to have trouble.
Third there is an amount of drinking that statistically we'd say is more risky. 3 drinks at one time, or more than 8 in a week. This is not a very strong predictor and past history is a better predictor.
And forth are measures of early problems. These are pretty good predictors. If someone has had relationship problems. If someone has to have a drink in the morning (early dependency). If someone has had hospitalizations. If someone has felt they had to cut down and had problems being able to cut down (psychological dependency). If someone feels guilty and/or defensive about it.
Frankly, I am not sure you have even one of these markers. Statistically, if someone has ZERO of these markers; indeed, if they find the entire discussion mildly amusing, well... statistically their risks of problems at that point is not very high.
http://counsellingresource.com/lib/quizzes/drug-testing/alcohol-mast/
oh, this site does not count as going to a doctor for help with drinking.
So... in someone without a lot of drinking issues... there is the tests for electrolyte problems. There is how much someone weighs. If there are no electrolyte/fluid/water issues and if someone is not gaining too much weight, frankly the MORE dilute lowers the impact of the alcohol. You don't get as much of a jolt to the system and it can clear out more gradually. Reason to get very simple very cheap check of salts. (probably very close to normal). Signs of salt imbalance mirror intoxication and can be tricky. But if you don't feel bad the next day, then electrolyte abnormalities are not likely to be serious. (woozy, cramps, very tired, achy, serious mental dullness are some electrolyte symptoms).
several features.
Detailed Answer:
First there is the total amount of alcohol as a danger. 5 drinks in under an hour gets to be potentially hazardous.
Second, there is the pattern of drinking which often leads to further problems. The best indicator is hospitalizations, legal issues, relationship issues...what people have had happen in the past is a good indicator of their future. It's highly variable. Some people get stomach and pancreas irritation from 3 drinks taken rapidly (that's a bit less than expected AND.. I see questions from people in this category hourly). And if someone has had 5 drinks once or twice a week for years and NO problems, it's a bit random to say they are going to start now to have trouble.
Third there is an amount of drinking that statistically we'd say is more risky. 3 drinks at one time, or more than 8 in a week. This is not a very strong predictor and past history is a better predictor.
And forth are measures of early problems. These are pretty good predictors. If someone has had relationship problems. If someone has to have a drink in the morning (early dependency). If someone has had hospitalizations. If someone has felt they had to cut down and had problems being able to cut down (psychological dependency). If someone feels guilty and/or defensive about it.
Frankly, I am not sure you have even one of these markers. Statistically, if someone has ZERO of these markers; indeed, if they find the entire discussion mildly amusing, well... statistically their risks of problems at that point is not very high.
http://counsellingresource.com/lib/quizzes/drug-testing/alcohol-mast/
oh, this site does not count as going to a doctor for help with drinking.
So... in someone without a lot of drinking issues... there is the tests for electrolyte problems. There is how much someone weighs. If there are no electrolyte/fluid/water issues and if someone is not gaining too much weight, frankly the MORE dilute lowers the impact of the alcohol. You don't get as much of a jolt to the system and it can clear out more gradually. Reason to get very simple very cheap check of salts. (probably very close to normal). Signs of salt imbalance mirror intoxication and can be tricky. But if you don't feel bad the next day, then electrolyte abnormalities are not likely to be serious. (woozy, cramps, very tired, achy, serious mental dullness are some electrolyte symptoms).
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for reply.
I would generally drink this amount of alcohol over around 8 hours, I'm also at home and wont be doing anything dangerous. I wont have a drink in the morning, I only enjoy to binge twice or three times a week maximum.
I have had fatigue and premature graying hairs (which i know can be associated with B vitamins). (although I have two areas of vitiligo, although not on scalp where I've noticed some grey hairs since 2 years ago.
I am of normal weight. I dont usually feel bad the next day, nothing serious anyway. I usually had a good sleep though and sleep in late.
Do you recommend that I double my Vitamin B complex supplement, this would give me 800ug of folic acid 3000% of b1 800% of b12 and the others?
Also, do you think I'm better sticking to a larger amount of beers, or smaller amount which are stronger?
Thanks
PS. I've just uploaded the last blood test I had not too long ago. Are the liver findings good and is there any sign of electrolytes problems? I think there was a * next to something with kidney.
Thanks
I would generally drink this amount of alcohol over around 8 hours, I'm also at home and wont be doing anything dangerous. I wont have a drink in the morning, I only enjoy to binge twice or three times a week maximum.
I have had fatigue and premature graying hairs (which i know can be associated with B vitamins). (although I have two areas of vitiligo, although not on scalp where I've noticed some grey hairs since 2 years ago.
I am of normal weight. I dont usually feel bad the next day, nothing serious anyway. I usually had a good sleep though and sleep in late.
Do you recommend that I double my Vitamin B complex supplement, this would give me 800ug of folic acid 3000% of b1 800% of b12 and the others?
Also, do you think I'm better sticking to a larger amount of beers, or smaller amount which are stronger?
Thanks
PS. I've just uploaded the last blood test I had not too long ago. Are the liver findings good and is there any sign of electrolytes problems? I think there was a * next to something with kidney.
Thanks
Brief Answer:
standard values were given.
Detailed Answer:
1000 ug is one milligram. 400 seems too low. 800 is pretty close to 1000. I'd recommend the 1000. Then, MCV could be due to also b12 but that isn't inhibited by much. It is present in any animal product (meat, but milk, liver also and it's not common for people to be low on it unless they are elderly, have a very disfunctional bowel or very vegan). 12 beers is really a lot. There are issues of fluid and electrolytes from a large amount of water in a day without any salts. 12 beers also seems to be near 5 litres. Wow, that will have effects. Calories/carbohydrate input and fluid input gets to be a consideration at over a gallon in a day. Liver enzymes are not a perfect measure but they also are not a bad measure and if never elevated, it implies not a lot of damage. MCV is not a measure of liver disease or cirrhosis. and 100 is not that elevated. Can see if the supplements help, if there is anemia or low platelets in addition to the MCV. Since MCV is used as a measure or indicator or marker of alcohol intake regardless of vitamin level, I suspect it will remain (slightly) elevated and anemia/platelets/liver damage are entirely separate issues. The vitamins can ONLY HELP. ALso measures of liver function, protein production (albumin, clotting proteins) and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, phosphate, magnesium) might all be affected by a large volume of beer (or not affected at all). Low proteins are a serious marker of liver problems. Electrolytes are something that needs correction and would be just volume and not alcohol AND entirely correctable.
It's reasonable to go with a full supplement. Thiamine deficiency is really potentially life-threatening and the MCV might not reflect it. Preventable.
There are issues of fluid and electrolytes from a large amount of water in a day without any salts. 12 beers also seems to be near 5 litres. Wow, that will have effects. Calories/carbohydrate input and fluid input gets to be a consideration at over a gallon in a day. ALso measures of liver function, protein production (albumin, clotting proteins) and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, phosphate, magnesium) might all be affected by a large volume of beer (or not affected at all). Low proteins are a serious marker of liver problems. Electrolytes are something that needs correction and would be just volume and not alcohol AND entirely correctable.
1000 ug (1 mg folate). 100 mg thiamine.
Easier to spread out alcohol in larger volumes than smaller. Answer is contingent on lab results.
standard values were given.
Detailed Answer:
1000 ug is one milligram. 400 seems too low. 800 is pretty close to 1000. I'd recommend the 1000. Then, MCV could be due to also b12 but that isn't inhibited by much. It is present in any animal product (meat, but milk, liver also and it's not common for people to be low on it unless they are elderly, have a very disfunctional bowel or very vegan). 12 beers is really a lot. There are issues of fluid and electrolytes from a large amount of water in a day without any salts. 12 beers also seems to be near 5 litres. Wow, that will have effects. Calories/carbohydrate input and fluid input gets to be a consideration at over a gallon in a day. Liver enzymes are not a perfect measure but they also are not a bad measure and if never elevated, it implies not a lot of damage. MCV is not a measure of liver disease or cirrhosis. and 100 is not that elevated. Can see if the supplements help, if there is anemia or low platelets in addition to the MCV. Since MCV is used as a measure or indicator or marker of alcohol intake regardless of vitamin level, I suspect it will remain (slightly) elevated and anemia/platelets/liver damage are entirely separate issues. The vitamins can ONLY HELP. ALso measures of liver function, protein production (albumin, clotting proteins) and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, phosphate, magnesium) might all be affected by a large volume of beer (or not affected at all). Low proteins are a serious marker of liver problems. Electrolytes are something that needs correction and would be just volume and not alcohol AND entirely correctable.
It's reasonable to go with a full supplement. Thiamine deficiency is really potentially life-threatening and the MCV might not reflect it. Preventable.
There are issues of fluid and electrolytes from a large amount of water in a day without any salts. 12 beers also seems to be near 5 litres. Wow, that will have effects. Calories/carbohydrate input and fluid input gets to be a consideration at over a gallon in a day. ALso measures of liver function, protein production (albumin, clotting proteins) and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, phosphate, magnesium) might all be affected by a large volume of beer (or not affected at all). Low proteins are a serious marker of liver problems. Electrolytes are something that needs correction and would be just volume and not alcohol AND entirely correctable.
1000 ug (1 mg folate). 100 mg thiamine.
Easier to spread out alcohol in larger volumes than smaller. Answer is contingent on lab results.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks, I noticed my supplement only has 18mg of B1. I think I'll look for some better B Complex but for now will double my dosage of this one.
PS. I've just uploaded the last blood test I had not too long ago. Are the liver findings good and is there any sign of electrolytes problems? I think there was a * next to something with kidney.
PS. I've just uploaded the last blood test I had not too long ago. Are the liver findings good and is there any sign of electrolytes problems? I think there was a * next to something with kidney.
Brief Answer:
Blood work is fine
Detailed Answer:
several things included in 'fine'.
First, a scale cannot be more sensitive/specific than it is. A yardstick cannot measure micrometers. And, an MCV that is 100 cannot be differentiated from 99. A seriously elevated MCV is 10% higher than normal.
Elevated phosphate is unlikely to be significant. (dietary?)
The peculiar thing is a normal GGT. That is a sensitive (often TOO sensitive) measure of liver damage from alcohol. I really would not expect it to be normal. Slight elevation in heavy drinking is nearly Always present (but not in this blood test).
Well... unlikely to be ANY serious liver issue with all normal liver functions.
Still... would go wtih the usual 1000 microgram folate (1 mg) and 100 mg thiamine daily. Electrolytes and liver functions pretty normal. The elevated phosphate prob doesn't matter but might be from an overload from a large volume of it ?
http://www.dietandfitnesstoday.com/phosphorus-in-beer.php
doesn't seem to be in beer much. Milk has a lot. Meat can have a lot.
Blood work is fine
Detailed Answer:
several things included in 'fine'.
First, a scale cannot be more sensitive/specific than it is. A yardstick cannot measure micrometers. And, an MCV that is 100 cannot be differentiated from 99. A seriously elevated MCV is 10% higher than normal.
Elevated phosphate is unlikely to be significant. (dietary?)
The peculiar thing is a normal GGT. That is a sensitive (often TOO sensitive) measure of liver damage from alcohol. I really would not expect it to be normal. Slight elevation in heavy drinking is nearly Always present (but not in this blood test).
Well... unlikely to be ANY serious liver issue with all normal liver functions.
Still... would go wtih the usual 1000 microgram folate (1 mg) and 100 mg thiamine daily. Electrolytes and liver functions pretty normal. The elevated phosphate prob doesn't matter but might be from an overload from a large volume of it ?
http://www.dietandfitnesstoday.com/phosphorus-in-beer.php
doesn't seem to be in beer much. Milk has a lot. Meat can have a lot.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks a lot for your help and reply.
Brief Answer:
You are very welcome
Detailed Answer:
The nails fit with a vitamin deficiency. Frankly I thought it was going to be a low protein (it isn't). The B vitamins might help. Also, just general vegetables and some dairy (vitamin A and D are maybe involved with nails. Some trace elements such as zinc and certainly iron
http://nails.about.com/od/tipsandtricks/a/The-4-Best-Foods-For-Longer-Stronger-Nails.htm biotin is in any of the b complex supplements and rarely is that low.
You are very welcome
Detailed Answer:
The nails fit with a vitamin deficiency. Frankly I thought it was going to be a low protein (it isn't). The B vitamins might help. Also, just general vegetables and some dairy (vitamin A and D are maybe involved with nails. Some trace elements such as zinc and certainly iron
http://nails.about.com/od/tipsandtricks/a/The-4-Best-Foods-For-Longer-Stronger-Nails.htm biotin is in any of the b complex supplements and rarely is that low.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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