Thursday Oct 10, 2024
ALCOHOL TOLERANCE AND AGE
Navigating Alcohol in Midlife: Understanding Metabolism, Tolerance, and Impact on Health
As we approach or find ourselves in midlife, our bodies undergo significant changes that affect how we
process and respond to everyday substances, including alcohol.
Alcohol Tolerance and Its Midlife Decline
Alcohol tolerance refers to how the body responds to alcohol over time. As people age, their tolerance to
alcohol typically decreases. This is partly due to the reduced activity of ADH and ALDH enzymes but also
to changes in body composition. As muscle mass decreases and body fat increases with age, the body's
ability to dilute alcohol diminishes. Older adults may find that even small amounts of alcohol can result
in stronger effects or a more prolonged hangover than they experienced in their younger years.
Alcohol's Effect on Performance and Recovery
Alcohol has been shown to impair muscle protein synthesis, the process by which the body builds and
repairs muscle tissue. This impairment is due to both the direct effects of alcohol on muscle cells and its
indirect effects, such as disrupting sleep and hydration status.
Drinking alcohol, especially in moderate to large amounts, can also lead to dehydration, further
compromising recovery and muscle function. For active adults aiming to build or preserve muscle mass,
alcohol can undermine these efforts, leading to reduced gains and slower recovery times.
Alcohol, Fat Burning, and Weight Management
Alcohol is metabolized differently than other nutrients. The body treats it as a toxin, prioritizing its
breakdown and clearance over other metabolic processes, such as burning fat for energy. When you
consume alcohol, your body's fat-burning mechanisms (lipolysis) are effectively put on hold until the
alcohol is processed.
KEYNOTE 2024 OCTOBER 20 - NOVEMBER 16 $399
- Identifying your body type, how to train and eat for it
- How food is converted into fat and which macro is your best friend
- How to read your own blood work
- Hormone replacement & estrogen
- GLP1 and appetite regulators
- Posture and movement patterns
- Belly fat & NNMT
- Muscle loss with age - how to adjust your training and nutrition
- Leaky gut and liver health
- Temporary states - how to build muscle and lose fat in the same day
- Leucine and how much protein
- How to change food preferences & habits
- Growth vs Fixed mindset
- Discipline, self control and self sabotage
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