How Alcohol Interrupts Fat Burning Metabolism
KnitOrMiss
Posts: 10,103 Member
So, I've always wondered about the mechanics of how alcohol interrupts ketosis, other than pausing things to process the "poison" alcohol... I found this information in the middle of a recipe post, but I thought I'd share it here. I'm just wondering if there is other information out there to support it. I've always found this author to be a great resource, but I'm just wondering, because there's a whole lot of crazy going on here.
Alcohol Facts
When people go on a diet, they often choose the “light” version of their favorite alcoholic beverages in order to save a few calories. However, that is only a small piece of the puzzle. Fat metabolism is reduced by as much as 73% after only two alcoholic beverages. This scary fact shows that the primary effect of alcohol on the body is not so much how many calories we consume, but how it stops the body’s ability to use your fat stores for energy.
Alcohol in the body is converted into a substance called acetate. Unlike a car that uses one supply of fuel, the body is able to draw from carbohydrates, fats and proteins for energy. When your blood acetate levels increase, your body uses acetate instead of fat. To make matters worse, the more you drink the more you tend to eat; and unfortunately, drinking will make your liver work to convert the alcohol into acetate, which means that the foods you consume at this time will be converted into extra fat on your body.
If that didn’t sound bad enough; alcohol stimulates appetite and decrease your testosterone levels for up to 24 hours and increases estrogen by 300%. The infamous “beer belly” is really just an “estrogen belly.” Biochemically, the higher your level of estrogen is, the more readily you absorb alcohol, but the slower you break it down.
Muscle Tip: Drinking alcohol is the most efficient way to slash your testosterone levels; women…we don’t want this to happen either. Just a single event of serious drinking raises levels of the muscle-wasting stress hormone called cortisol and decreases the levels of testosterone for up to 24 hours. If you are working out to build strong fat-burning muscles yet consuming alcohol, this actually breaks down muscle further and you end up with a slower metabolism. This is because you break down muscle as you lift weights and you repair them as you rest if you have proper hormone levels…if not, you never repair your muscles properly!
Also, we all know that alcohol dehydrates us. In order for fat to be metabolized, it must first be released from the fat cell and then be transported by the bloodstream where it is pushed to the liver to be used as fuel. If you are dehydrated, the liver has to come to the aid of the kidneys and can’t focus on its role of releasing fat.
Alcohol also affects every organ of the body, it’s most dramatic impact is upon the liver. The liver cells normally prefer fatty acids as fuel, and package excess fatty acids as triglycerides, which they then route to other tissues of the body. However, when alcohol is present, the liver cells are forced to first metabolize the alcohol, letting the fatty acids accumulate in huge amounts. Alcohol metabolism permanently changes liver cell structure, which impairs the liver’s ability to metabolize fats, which causes fatty liver disease.
http://mariamindbodyhealth.com/pumpkin-swirl-cheesecake/
Alcohol Facts
When people go on a diet, they often choose the “light” version of their favorite alcoholic beverages in order to save a few calories. However, that is only a small piece of the puzzle. Fat metabolism is reduced by as much as 73% after only two alcoholic beverages. This scary fact shows that the primary effect of alcohol on the body is not so much how many calories we consume, but how it stops the body’s ability to use your fat stores for energy.
Alcohol in the body is converted into a substance called acetate. Unlike a car that uses one supply of fuel, the body is able to draw from carbohydrates, fats and proteins for energy. When your blood acetate levels increase, your body uses acetate instead of fat. To make matters worse, the more you drink the more you tend to eat; and unfortunately, drinking will make your liver work to convert the alcohol into acetate, which means that the foods you consume at this time will be converted into extra fat on your body.
If that didn’t sound bad enough; alcohol stimulates appetite and decrease your testosterone levels for up to 24 hours and increases estrogen by 300%. The infamous “beer belly” is really just an “estrogen belly.” Biochemically, the higher your level of estrogen is, the more readily you absorb alcohol, but the slower you break it down.
Muscle Tip: Drinking alcohol is the most efficient way to slash your testosterone levels; women…we don’t want this to happen either. Just a single event of serious drinking raises levels of the muscle-wasting stress hormone called cortisol and decreases the levels of testosterone for up to 24 hours. If you are working out to build strong fat-burning muscles yet consuming alcohol, this actually breaks down muscle further and you end up with a slower metabolism. This is because you break down muscle as you lift weights and you repair them as you rest if you have proper hormone levels…if not, you never repair your muscles properly!
Also, we all know that alcohol dehydrates us. In order for fat to be metabolized, it must first be released from the fat cell and then be transported by the bloodstream where it is pushed to the liver to be used as fuel. If you are dehydrated, the liver has to come to the aid of the kidneys and can’t focus on its role of releasing fat.
Alcohol also affects every organ of the body, it’s most dramatic impact is upon the liver. The liver cells normally prefer fatty acids as fuel, and package excess fatty acids as triglycerides, which they then route to other tissues of the body. However, when alcohol is present, the liver cells are forced to first metabolize the alcohol, letting the fatty acids accumulate in huge amounts. Alcohol metabolism permanently changes liver cell structure, which impairs the liver’s ability to metabolize fats, which causes fatty liver disease.
http://mariamindbodyhealth.com/pumpkin-swirl-cheesecake/
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Replies
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You found this looking at pumpkin swirl cheesecake?4
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Interesting, thanks.
Alcohol (that is, straight liquor, in modest quantities) lowers your blood glucose. Seems like that might have a place in the missing "Pros" column....
Also, it's not necessary to eat more, become dehydrated, or consume fast-digested carbs while drinking (which may be the dietary partner that makes alcohol most harmful).7 -
@SuperCarLori - if you aren't familiar with Maria Emmerich, she does that on nearly all her posts - there's a testimonial, some good real info, and then the recipe... So yes, I found it looking at the cheesecake recipe. LOL3
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@RalfLott - I still have to say I find it alarming that it simply douses our fat burning metabolism, so even if we stay on plan, we literally stop most all of the benefits of low carb eating simply by having a drink? I'm not a drinker really, but I still find this alarming.
Along with the 300% increase in estrogen?!?! No one needs that kind of mess. Ditches the testosterone? If I were a man, I think that alone would get me to stop drinking!2 -
Funny.... It was right around the time I had the wine when I then had a carb binge, then stalled out for awhile.... Coincidence????
Edit: as a matter of fact, the binge happened the day after...1 -
SuperCarLori wrote: »Funny.... It was right around the time I had the wine when I then had a carb binge, then stalled out for awhile.... Coincidence????
Edit: as a matter of fact, the binge happened the day after...
*Kitten*! Must be the grapes..... Switch to Scope or Everclear?
:
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I'm less alarmed by the alcohol impact on metabolism and more alarmed by the terrible food choices I make when I drink...so alcohol is killing my metabolism AND I'm eating more food and way more carbs to boot...fun!!!3
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tcunbeliever wrote: »I'm less alarmed by the alcohol impact on metabolism and more alarmed by the terrible food choices I make when I drink...so alcohol is killing my metabolism AND I'm eating more food and way more carbs to boot...fun!!!
How about if you mix up a Ketotini right before bed - black olives stuffed with gorgonzola crumbles, olive juice, and 2 oz. of gin/vodka?
Possible you won't stray for breakfast the next day?6 -
tcunbeliever wrote: »I'm less alarmed by the alcohol impact on metabolism and more alarmed by the terrible food choices I make when I drink...so alcohol is killing my metabolism AND I'm eating more food and way more carbs to boot...fun!!!
How about if you mix up a Ketotini right before bed - black olives stuffed with gorgonzola crumbles, olive juice, and 2 oz. of gin/vodka?
Possible you won't stray for breakfast the next day?
@RalfLott - If this article is correct, it would mean that while you feel satiated, it might turn off all overnight fat burning...0 -
KnitOrMiss wrote: »tcunbeliever wrote: »I'm less alarmed by the alcohol impact on metabolism and more alarmed by the terrible food choices I make when I drink...so alcohol is killing my metabolism AND I'm eating more food and way more carbs to boot...fun!!!
How about if you mix up a Ketotini right before bed - black olives stuffed with gorgonzola crumbles, olive juice, and 2 oz. of gin/vodka?
Possible you won't stray for breakfast the next day?
@RalfLott - If this article is correct, it would mean that while you feel satiated, it might turn off all overnight fat burning...
I'm not sure I see why that's a problem (not knowing how long fat burning is back-burnered after 2 oz of liquor), if it also lowers my blood glucose and effectively negates dawn phenomenon... ??1 -
The day I drink is usually the biggest problem. I'm usually more hungry the next day, but it's usually manageable with an avocado omelette or something similar - full of fat and some protein. However, when I've had a few drinks *everything* looks so tasty and there is no willpower to be found anywhere. At home, it's easy enough just not to have chips or pie or junk food laying around, but when out at parties or bars there's always way too much temptation laying around...I can resist anything except temptation...
The ketotini sounds bizarre - I can't wait to try it!!!4 -
Ok, so now this has me wondering - and maybe I'm just being paranoid - but sometimes I put peppermint extract which is 91% alcohol into my BPC in the mornings. Never more than a tsp, if that much....but...0
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tcunbeliever wrote: »I'm less alarmed by the alcohol impact on metabolism and more alarmed by the terrible food choices I make when I drink...so alcohol is killing my metabolism AND I'm eating more food and way more carbs to boot...fun!!!
How about if you mix up a Ketotini right before bed - black olives stuffed with gorgonzola crumbles, olive juice, and 2 oz. of gin/vodka?
Possible you won't stray for breakfast the next day?
Do they have bacon flavored vodka...that might be incredible.3 -
RowdysLady wrote: »Ok, so now this has me wondering - and maybe I'm just being paranoid - but sometimes I put peppermint extract which is 91% alcohol into my BPC in the mornings. Never more than a tsp, if that much....but...
This old bird would not bat an eyelash....1 -
@KnitOrMiss - thanks for posting this, very interesting and I will be showing my husband
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KnitOrMiss wrote: »@RalfLott - I still have to say I find it alarming that it simply douses our fat burning metabolism, so even if we stay on plan, we literally stop most all of the benefits of low carb eating simply by having a drink? I'm not a drinker really, but I still find this alarming.
Along with the 300% increase in estrogen?!?! No one needs that kind of mess. Ditches the testosterone? If I were a man, I think that alone would get me to stop drinking!
As a diabetic, who is not chasing keto for the sake of keto (but for the impact eating fewer carbs has on my blood glucose), and (1) who misses the occasional slice of pizza or bread as a treat and (2) who occasionally eats at restaurants where carb counts are not readily available or estimatable, it's a trade-off I'd gladly make.
(It has no impact on my appetite or weight loss - beyond the caloric one - and it allows me to eat about 30 additional carbs without impacting my blood glucose.)1 -
KnitOrMiss wrote: »@RalfLott - I still have to say I find it alarming that it simply douses our fat burning metabolism, so even if we stay on plan, we literally stop most all of the benefits of low carb eating simply by having a drink? I'm not a drinker really, but I still find this alarming.
Along with the 300% increase in estrogen?!?! No one needs that kind of mess. Ditches the testosterone? If I were a man, I think that alone would get me to stop drinking!
As a diabetic, who is not chasing keto for the sake of keto (but for the impact eating fewer carbs has on my blood glucose), and (1) who misses the occasional slice of pizza or bread as a treat and (2) who occasionally eats at restaurants where carb counts are not readily available or estimatable, it's a trade-off I'd gladly make.
(It has no impact on my appetite or weight loss - beyond the caloric one - and it allows me to eat about 30 additional carbs without impacting my blood glucose.)
@neohdiver between this comment above, and @RalfLott using it to manage dawn phenomenon, this has me wondering if it is partially the fat burning process overnight that triggers the dawn phenomenon - or somehow contributes to better insulin sensitivity? There has to be something if two folks of random age/gender/metabolism breakdowns find very related reactions...
I just posted this because it was presented as fact. I was just wondering if anyone had articles of scientific studies or anything...2 -
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canadjineh wrote: »
Lol this is going to increase my alcohol intake. Bacon flavoured vodka! Sold!!
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Does anyone drink red wine around here? What are some low carb red wines? I never drink..except maybe once a year (jack and Diet Coke). But sometimes when I go to a nice restaurant, I'd like to order a glass but I just don't know enough about carb counts and red wine to actually order one.0
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Someone posted a link maybe 6 months back with a list - maybe @DittoDan? I honestly can't remember who, and since I don't really drink, I doubt I kept it, but I'm checking my email just in case... @Sunny_Bunny_ ? Anyone?
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/alcohol
This was the only link I could find, and it wasn't great. Hopefully some else saved the convo.
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A month or so ago I had started having a little bourbon in the evenings. I noticed a stall on weight loss really quickly, so I stopped it... after the bottle was gone4
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I drink Grey Goose straight with lime or sometimes cracked peppercorns, and dry red wines (not together, hahaha). Maybe two servings a week on different days. Hasn't affected my maintenance, but then again that is well below the generally accepted criteria for a moderate drinker (NIH says 1per day for women).2
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KnitOrMiss wrote: »KnitOrMiss wrote: »@RalfLott - I still have to say I find it alarming that it simply douses our fat burning metabolism, so even if we stay on plan, we literally stop most all of the benefits of low carb eating simply by having a drink? I'm not a drinker really, but I still find this alarming.
Along with the 300% increase in estrogen?!?! No one needs that kind of mess. Ditches the testosterone? If I were a man, I think that alone would get me to stop drinking!
As a diabetic, who is not chasing keto for the sake of keto (but for the impact eating fewer carbs has on my blood glucose), and (1) who misses the occasional slice of pizza or bread as a treat and (2) who occasionally eats at restaurants where carb counts are not readily available or estimatable, it's a trade-off I'd gladly make.
(It has no impact on my appetite or weight loss - beyond the caloric one - and it allows me to eat about 30 additional carbs without impacting my blood glucose.)
@neohdiver between this comment above, and @RalfLott using it to manage dawn phenomenon, this has me wondering if it is partially the fat burning process overnight that triggers the dawn phenomenon - or somehow contributes to better insulin sensitivity? There has to be something if two folks of random age/gender/metabolism breakdowns find very related reactions...
I just posted this because it was presented as fact. I was just wondering if anyone had articles of scientific studies or anything...
The way that it reduces blood sugar is only because the liver cannot secrete glycogen at the same time its processing alcohol. It has no effect on insulin sensitivity or insulin. It's simply that your liver stops secreting glycogen. Which is helpful for anyone that overproduces insulin. It can help to stop the perpetual cycle of glycogen... secrete insulin... stubborn resistant cells... more insulin... now blood sugar falls too fast even if it doesn't go low this will likely call upon more glycogen as a safety net... and the cycle begins.
It also makes drinking alcohol a bit more risky for a T1D. On minor insulin overdoses, the low blood sugar can still be corrected by liver glycogen. But not when drinking alcohol. They're on their own to correct even small lows.2 -
KnitOrMiss wrote: »@neohdiver between this comment above, and @RalfLott using it to manage dawn phenomenon, this has me wondering if it is partially the fat burning process overnight that triggers the dawn phenomenon - or somehow contributes to better insulin sensitivity? There has to be something if two folks of random age/gender/metabolism breakdowns find very related reactions...
I just posted this because it was presented as fact. I was just wondering if anyone had articles of scientific studies or anything...
Alcohol is a known risk factor for hypoglycemia - since I am not susceptible to hypoglycemc incidents I am using the same principle (shutting down the liver glucose factory) to allow me to eat the amount my liver would have produced.
(In fact - the relationship between the two is so well known, I'm having a challenge finding an article where it isn't taken as a given. Here's an example: "Moreover, drug or alcohol consumption may cause hypoglycemia, particularly in conjunction with glucose-lowering agents, since it delays glucose counterregulation." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3639216/
Here's one article that finds an inverse relationship between drinking and A1c (in other words, the more you drink, the lower your A1c) I use it on an occasional treat basis, but similar principles would apply. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26277223
I discovered it by accident, did enough research to understand the basics, then tested to find out how it impacts me, personally.
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Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »The way that it reduces blood sugar is only because the liver cannot secrete glycogen at the same time its processing alcohol. It has no effect on insulin sensitivity or insulin. It's simply that your liver stops secreting glycogen. Which is helpful for anyone that overproduces insulin. It can help to stop the perpetual cycle of glycogen... secrete insulin... stubborn resistant cells... more insulin... now blood sugar falls too fast even if it doesn't go low this will likely call upon more glycogen as a safety net... and the cycle begins.
It also makes drinking alcohol a bit more risky for a T1D. On minor insulin overdoses, the low blood sugar can still be corrected by liver glycogen. But not when drinking alcohol. They're on their own to correct even small lows.
Yes - but also helpful for anyone who is insulin resistant (whether or not there is overproduction of insulin). The key being that the glucose and the insulin are mismatched (either because of not enough insulin is being produced - OR you need more insulin to move the glucose out. Temporarily shutting down the liver decreases the glucose that needs to be transported out of the bloodstream. My insulin can keep up with about 20 grams - with a glass of wine, I get about 30 grams more (while my liver is otherwise occupied).
But yes - it does make it more risky for T1D (or for T2 diabetics on insulin, sulfonylureas, or any other medication that produces a non-food-dependent supply of insulin).
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Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »The way that it reduces blood sugar is only because the liver cannot secrete glycogen at the same time its processing alcohol. It has no effect on insulin sensitivity or insulin. It's simply that your liver stops secreting glycogen. Which is helpful for anyone that overproduces insulin. It can help to stop the perpetual cycle of glycogen... secrete insulin... stubborn resistant cells... more insulin... now blood sugar falls too fast even if it doesn't go low this will likely call upon more glycogen as a safety net... and the cycle begins.
It also makes drinking alcohol a bit more risky for a T1D. On minor insulin overdoses, the low blood sugar can still be corrected by liver glycogen. But not when drinking alcohol. They're on their own to correct even small lows.
Yes - but also helpful for anyone who is insulin resistant (whether or not there is overproduction of insulin). The key being that the glucose and the insulin are mismatched (either because of not enough insulin is being produced - OR you need more insulin to move the glucose out. Temporarily shutting down the liver decreases the glucose that needs to be transported out of the bloodstream. My insulin can keep up with about 20 grams - with a glass of wine, I get about 30 grams more (while my liver is otherwise occupied).
But yes - it does make it more risky for T1D (or for T2 diabetics on insulin, sulfonylureas, or any other medication that produces a non-food-dependent supply of insulin).
I didn't know insulin resistance could exist without a hyperinsulinemic condition as well.
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As far as I know, I haven't experienced BG rebound (from accumulated glucose waiting its turn in the liver line) after the demon rum has been dealth with.
I am pretty clueless here, but it seems like BG rebound might be another potential downside to drinking with T2D.
(Unless, perhaps, you know when the glucose has gotten to the front of the queue and are standing by with more alcohol, insulin, or running shoes - or maybe metformin, which I believe @midwesterner85 suggested has a mechanism similar to alcohol...)1 -
As far as I know, I haven't experienced BG rebound (from accumulated glucose waiting its turn in the liver line) after the demon rum has been dealth with.
I am pretty clueless here, but it seems like BG rebound might be another potential downside to drinking with T2D.
(Unless, perhaps, you know when the glucose has gotten to the front of the queue and are standing by with more alcohol, insulin, or running shoes - or maybe metformin, which I believe @midwesterner85 suggested has a mechanism similar to alcohol...)
Yes, but I'm not sure metformin has nearly the same effectiveness as alcohol. In fact, before the discovery of insulin injections, type 1's were kept alive for awhile by keeping them drunk constantly.2
This discussion has been closed.