SINGLE EPISODE OF BINGE DRINKING CAUSES GUT LEAKAGE & IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPRESSION

While it has been well documented that chronic drinking increases gut permeability, a new study has found that even a single episode of binge drinking has this damaging effect.  Increased gut permeability negatively impacts health by allowing harmful bacteria to migrate into the small intestines where they produce toxins, called endotoxins.  Both the bacteria and the endotoxins travel into the bloodstream, compromising immune function and increasing inflammation in the pancreas, liver, and other organs.  Chronically increased endotoxin levels have been found to be one of the primary drivers of the development of alcoholic liver disease.  

Binge drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08g/dL or above. For a typical adult, this pattern corresponds to consuming five or more drinks for men, or four or more drinks for women, in about two hours.

In the study, 11 men and 14 women were given enough alcohol to raise their blood alcohol levels to at least .08 g/dL within an hour. Blood samples were taken every 30 minutes for four hours after the binge and again 24 hours later.

The researchers found that the alcohol binge resulted in a rapid increase in endotoxin levels in the blood and evidence of bacterial DNA, showing that bacteria had permeated the gut. Compared to men, women had higher blood alcohol levels and circulating endotoxin levels. Of the results, principle investigator Dr. Gyongyi Szabo stated, “We found that a single alcohol binge can elicit an immune response, potentially impacting the health of an otherwise healthy individual.  Our observations suggest that an alcohol binge is more dangerous than previously thought.”

What to do:  If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.  For healthy adults, that means up to one serving of alcohol a day for women and up to two servings a day for men.  A serving of alcohol is defined as 12 oz. of beer, 5 oz. of wine, or 1.5 oz of spirits.  Typical portions of drinks often exceed these amounts so one glass may contain 2 servings or more.

Adapted from articles available at:

http://www.medicaldaily.com/binge-drinking-even-once-linked-gut-leakage-and-immune-system-effects-283072

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0096864

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/825506

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140515132212.htm

Source:

Bala S, Marcos M, Gattu A, et al.  Acute binge drinking increases serum endotoxin and bacterial DNA levels in healthy individuals. PLoS ONE, 2014; 9 (5): e96864 DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0096864.