Upgrade Your Immunity with Herbs by Dr. Joseph Mercola

Author:Dr. Joseph Mercola [Dr. Joseph Mercola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hay House
Published: 2021-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

Alcohol

Various studies have linked excess alcohol consumption with an increased risk of chronic diseases such as pancreatitis and cancer—and, not surprisingly then, also with poor immune function. In fact, some research suggests that even moderate amounts of alcohol can negatively impact the immune response. Alcohol significantly increases inflammatory markers and compromises the structure and integrity of the gastrointestinal tract, altering the microbes in the gut that aid not only in normal gut function but also in immunity.

The science indicates that alcohol both disrupts the communication between gut microbes and the intestinal immune system and damages gut immune cells. Importantly, it also allows microbes to leak out of the gut. When they do, they end up in places like the liver and activate the innate immune system there, triggering inflammation that plays a role in alcoholic liver disease, which can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. In addition to promoting a proinflammatory response, alcohol also impairs an anti-inflammatory response from cytokines.

In general, researchers have found that alcohol interferes with the normal functioning of all aspects of the immune response and can negatively impact the numbers and function of all immune cell populations. Thus, chronic alcoholics have increased susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections.3 Moderate alcohol intake is generally defined as no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men. However, I recommend eliminating all alcohol if you’re able, as it doesn’t add much to an otherwise healthy diet and lifestyle and may indeed do harm.

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