A lot of people enjoy a glass of wine or a beer after a long day or when we have friends and family around for a BBQ in the backyard. It is a part of many people’s lives. Alcohol is the world's most socially accepted recreational drug. However, there are effects on the body that alcohol has that you should keep in mind.
The effects of alcohol on your body
We are aware of the common
effects that alcohol can cause while we are under the influence such as impair
our concentration, our
judgement, our mood and memory, but today we are going to talk about the other
known health issues it can cause.
If you are drinking in
moderation, that is one standard drink a day for women or two standard drinks
for men, it can be safe and help to reduce your anxiety and help you to relax.
It is when you start to drink more than this that it starts to have negative
effects on your health.
Alcohol is a depressant.
This means that it lowers neurotransmission levels, it slows down your breathing,
your heart rate and the parts of the brain that affect thinking and behaviour. Alcohol
can prevent the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream, this then leads
to your body being deficient in all nutrients including magnesium. It can also affect
your digestive system, can cause stomach issues with your digestive lining
which in turn can lead to other health problems.
Alcohol and Magnesium deficiency
Every organ in your body
uses magnesium. It regulates 300 enzymes in the body which means it’s often hard
for people to get enough magnesium from their diet alone. So, when you combine
a low magnesium diet with alcohol at any level it eats into the magnesium supplies.
Symptoms of magnesium deficiency can include irritability, joint pain, muscle
aches, anxiety and depression, low energy, restless leg syndrome, insomnia or
reduced sleep. 60% of your body’s magnesium is found in your bones. Magnesium
also has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces insulin resistance. Magnesium
can also help to prevent migraines, lower blood pressure and improve your sleep.
It can also help with muscle strength, help with weight loss, help to fight
depression and can enhance exercise performance.
Increasing Magnesium levels
To help get more magnesium
in your body you can add more magnesium rich foods to your diet such as avocados,
spinach, kale, seaweed, bananas, black beans, nuts, seeds, dark chocolate and
fish such as mackerel and salmon. Another way to increase your magnesium levels
is to take a magnesium supplement. Try to look for one that is 300-450 mg/day.
You can also soak in a bath with warm water and Epsom Salts or Magnesium
Flakes. The magnesium will absorb through your skin and into your body. You can
also use a lotion or a spray on your skin. It will soak into the body and you
will absorb the magnesium.
Magnesium is just one of the
nutrients you need to keep your body healthy. Alcohol also uses up a lot of the
vitamin B in your body which is much needed to keep your stress levels down.
It is important to have a
balanced eating plan and to take the correct supplements. Always consult a
naturopath or nutritionist to work out what supplements are right for you as
they are not all the same. They need to be in the right mg and quantities to
make the right impact, get you healthy and keep you healthy. Give us a call to
make a time to discuss your health needs either in person or online.
