The Oaks at Ojai (California)
When I came to the Oaks in 2000 I was 40 years old. I discovered something my first year working here- that alcohol consumption, particularly wine, was a definite factor effecting the lives of women in our demographic, average age approximately 50-65.
I was accustomed to asking questions about eating habits, but I learned that it was important to also inquire about liquid habits, including (but not limited to) alcohol! I learned that many of our guests had over time gotten into a habit of not only consuming alcohol daily, but in many cases having 2 or 3 glasses of wine per night! The vast majority of these women were also not happy with their current health levels, including their weight, and in particular their middles.
So, let's connect some dots here about alcohol consumption and its possible effects.
Sigh. I know. Bummer. Hear me out!
First off, why do we drink alcohol? It's fair to say we drink to relax, to feel good, to get "a buzz", artificially induce a pleasurable physical and mental state of some sort, to dull pain of any sort (emotional or physical), or simply to just feel DIFFERENT, creating an "altered state". Any or all of these reasons may or may not be attached to addiction, which is another whole layer, but bear in mind that approximately 10 to 15 million Americans are alcoholics or problem drinkers, and more than 100,000 deaths each year are attributed to alcohol consumption. It is good for us to examine motivation, however, in the context of discussing whether or not our alcohol consumption is blocking our overall health goals.
Here are some facts: Alcohol affects the upper part of the brain, where self-control and other learned behavior is stored. Alcohol may for some REPLACE eating "real" food, but for many more people it stimulates MORE eating along with its consumption. One study showed a 20% increase in calories consumed at a meal when alcohol was consumed before the meal. There was a total caloric increase of 33% when the calories from the alcohol were added. These additional calories can very easily contribute to weight gain over a short amount of time.
Alcohol provides mostly empty calories and may hinder weight loss. One reason why is that when your liver is processing alcohol it will stop all other metabolic functions. It will do so until it rids your body of ethanol toxicity which is the by product of alcoholic consumption. (It is arguable that on many levels alcohol is a toxin). According to studies drinking alcohol increases visceral adipose tissue-the fat around your body organs. This is a huge health risk as well as being physically something we hate- that middle body bulge!
There are some potential benefits for moderate alcohol intake, it may reduce your risk of developing heart disease, reduce your risk of dying of a heart attack, possibly reduce your risk of strokes, particularly ischemic strokes, lower your risk of gallstones, and possibly reduce your risk of diabetes, but even so, the evidence about the possible health benefits of alcohol isn't certain, and alcohol may not benefit everyone who drinks. Certainly, you don't have to drink any alcohol, and if you currently don't drink, don't start drinking for the possible health benefits. In some cases, it's safest to avoid alcohol entirely - the possible benefits don't necessarily outweigh the risks. (Moderate is currently defined as 3-5 drinks weekly for women, 6-10 weekly for men. One drink = 12 oz. beer, 5 oz. wine, 1.5 oz. distilled spirits- 80 proof). This is only counting "straight" alcohol- not sweetened drinks which are another whole layer of sugar and calories and effect.
Here are some of my big ideas in regard to alcohol:
1. Go without any alcohol for at least a week to see whether or not it may have become a bigger issue that needs to be addressed. The layman's litmus for addiction is if you internally throw a tantrum over not having "it" (be it alcohol or anything else), be aware that addiction may be present.
2. If you are not happy with your current physique cut your alcohol consumption in HALF, whatever it currently is, as another plan of attack to promote change.
3. If you are consuming sugar filled alcoholic beverages (wine coolers, margaritas, fu-fu martinis, etc.), STOP! Switch over to small amounts of wine or just stop altogether. Consider those very occasional treats.
4. If and when you DO choose to drink, slow down. Drink water before alcohol and in between a potential next drink.
5. Eat something healthy with your alcohol to slow the rate of absorption.
As with all my articles, I'm sure I've missed a lot. These are not meant to be end all, comprehensive medical guides, they are meant to stimulate thought, conversation, and ACTION in regard to you, your habits, and your overall health, so please take it as such.
So, CHEERS! Here's to you, and your courage exploring life from every angle
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