The best part about having a grandma who is nearly 106 years of age is that she comes with a wealth of life experiences that always seem to have some impact or significance on whatever I am writing. To me, she is both a medical miracle and a medical anomaly! She is made of steel, has perpetual life batteries, and has no “off” button! I usually find some way to incorporate her into my articles on bones and joints, and today’s story is no exception.
Recently, I elaborated on the harmful effects of cigarette smoking on overall bone health. Today, I am focusing on the effects of alcohol consumption on our bones. Bear in mind, my grandmother is not a woman who slams down drink after drink. In fact, she rarely consumes alcohol, but when she does, it has to be a margarita…with extra salt on the rim. However, in light of the copious amounts of salt she loves to consume (she is well-preserved and would probably salt a banana or a dish of ice cream before eating it – just for added flavor!), it would probably encourage most any bartender to fill the glass with salt and put the ‘rita on the rim!
Now, if we added up all of the margaritas Grandma has enjoyed over the years – and there are plenty of years with which to work here – it could add up to a lot! Not knowing her for the first 60 years of her life, I cannot comment on the habits of her younger days, and, again, in my life span, I have only seen her drink a margarita on rare occasions. She is not a closet drinker. She is a closet salt-eater. (Note to self: idea for future article on the effects of excess sodium consumption on one’s bones and joints! May cause increased life expectancy!)
However, does drinking alcohol to any degree have a negative impact on our bone health, or does it take a huge amount of alcohol to create damage to our bones?
On the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s website, an article about the effects of alcohol consumption on bone health quotes Terrence Donohue, Jr, PhD, UNMC professor of internal medicine, as saying, “Chronic consumption of excessive alcohol can inhibit the formation and function of new bone cells called osteoblasts.” This, in turn, causes a decrease in new bone formation that is necessary for maintenance of bone health and healing after bone injuries.
The article goes on to note that chronic and heavy use of alcohol has been shown to contribute to low bone mass, a decrease in bone formation, and an increase in the number of fractures sustained, as well as significant delays in the healing of broken bones. At particular risk is the development of osteoblasts and their subsequent function and role in the creation of new bone.
As old bone dies off, new bone is formed through the assistance of osteoblasts and cells called osteoclasts. This is known as bone remodeling. When a person is healthy, this process remains in balance. However, when someone is a chronic drinker, that balance can be upset tremendously, suppressing the body’s natural ability to create new bone to replace the old bone. As the old bone is removed, there is not enough new bone to replace it. Over time, there exists a marked loss of bone, and this can occur in just a few years’ time.
According to the article, “the few studies that have been done on the effects of both the amount of alcohol consumed daily and the duration (years) indicate that the bone loss may be seen within three to ten years in alcoholics who consume 100 grams of alcohol,” which is roughly the equivalent of eight beers, nine glasses of wine, or seven mixed drinks a day.
In short, excessive alcohol consumption has been shown to contribute to the weakening of the bones and to a greater frequency of fractures due to falls.
No wonder my grandma can fall down some steps and not break a bone! She’s built like a block…a block of salt! She really is well-preserved! “Hey, bartender! Another shot of salt, please! And hold the alcohol!”
(Note: My grandmother is the exception, not the rule, to most habits of lifestyle and dietary choices!)
(Information for this article was found at http://app1.unmc.edu/PublicAffairs/TodaySite/sitefiles/today_full.cfm?match=2532)