Most of us are aware that alcohol use can lead to a variety of health issues, including heart, liver, and pancreas problems, and various types of cancer, but did you know that heavy drinking can increase your risk for osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition in which the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. The bones become less dense and more likely to fracture, which can result in significant pain and disability. According to some studies, approximately one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis. These breaks are most likely to occur in the hip, spine or wrist, but it can also affect vertebrae, or the bones of the spine, leading to hunched posture. It’s not life-threatening in itself, but twenty percent of seniors who break a hip end up dying within one year, either from complications related to the broken bone itself or the surgery to repair it.
Excessive alcohol use interferes with the balance of calcium in the body, which is an essential nutrient for healthy bones. Your body cannot make calcium on its own; rather, it gets the calcium it needs through the food you eat or from supplements. The digestive system is already not terribly effective at digesting calcium, which is why vitamin D is also important. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium more effectively, but many people don’t get enough. Alcohol use interferes with the production of vitamin D, which can further reduce calcium levels in the body.
Chronic heavy drinking can also cause hormone deficiencies. Men with alcoholism often produce less testosterone, which is a hormone linked to the production of cells called osteoblasts, which stimulate bone formation. In women, chronic alcohol use can cause irregular menstrual cycles, which reduces estrogen levels and increases the risk for osteoporosis. Also, people with alcoholism may have elevated cortisol levels. Cortisol blocks calcium absorption and reduces bone formation. Alcohol also has an indirect effect on bone health, because people who drink heavily have poor balance and coordination and are more likely to suffer falls.
Interestingly, although heavy alcohol use is proven to increase the risk of osteoporosis, some studies suggest that postmenopausal women who have a drink or two a day may develop some protection against the condition later in life. The theory is that alcohol can slow the rate of bone remodeling, which is the body’s ongoing replacement of old bone with new.
Finally, osteoporosis can seriously limit mobility, interfering with the ability to do everyday activities. This means that many people with the condition develop depression, which is compounded by heavy drinking. Alcohol not only leads to depressed mood itself, but it can interfere with the effectiveness of treatments for depression.
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 to get started.
