Why drinkers have bone problems

Unbelievable, but true - drinkers show a significant weakening of the bones. In addition, doctors and medical experts say that people who abuse alcohol are much more likely to suffer fractures in their arms and legs, and bone fusion is rather slow.

At the same time, doctors for a long time could not explain why this happens, and not otherwise. Previously, the similar effects of alcohol on human bones were explained by the unhealthy diet of people who drink and the various relationships between alcohol and human hormones.

However, representatives of the Medical Center at the Loyola University of Illinois in Maywood conducted experiments, concluding that alcohol does adversely affect bone fusion. This connection occurs at the cellular and molecular levels. According to scientists, weakening of bones can be not only among alcoholics, but also those who simply like to drink alcohol often.

There is a huge risk that this problem with bones may occur, first of all, in people of adolescence. The body of young people is just starting to store calcium in their bones, so that over time they become stronger and stronger.

The results of a unique study were officially disclosed on October 6, 2013. Scientists shared the fruits of their labors at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Specialists in Bone Tissue Research and Mineral Exchange.

One of the leading authors of the study, the resident of the Department of Surgical Orthopedics of the Stritch School of Medicine Roman Natoli, noted that the abuse of alcohol will necessarily lead to negative consequences for human bones. We can say that alcohol deals a double blow to the bones.

Dr. Natoli said that most cases of fractures of one or another part of the human body as a result of unforeseen situations, falls from the height of car accidents are associated with the use of alcohol. Scientists came to the conclusion that alcoholic beverages significantly increase the risk of bone fracture, as well as interfere with their normal fusion.

Meanwhile, there is another side to the coin. It is known that the consumption of a small amount of alcohol sometimes has a positive effect on the state of bone tissue. Menopause magazine published information on the results of one study, which was conducted in 2012. It was found that consuming no more than one glass of wine every day reduces bone loss in women over the age of 50. In 2008, there was also one experiment, the results of which showed that consuming up to one glass of wine per day significantly reduces the risk of hip fracture.

Scientists did not immediately understand the reasons for such an effect of alcohol on bones. Roman Natoli, along with his assistants, had to conduct experiments on mice. Laboratory mice were divided into two groups. The first group received a rather large dose of alcohol, the second, control group, did not receive alcohol.

Experience has shown that the bone tissue of rodents that received alcohol did not form as fast as those of the mice that were in the control group. In the end, it turned out that the bone of the mice included in the first group is not as strong as that of the rodents from the second group.

Moreover, the alcohol group showed signs of oxidative stress, resulting in the formation of chemicals. These chemicals destroy normal cellular function if they are not where they should be.

In the first group, a lower level of one of the proteins called osteopontin was also found. This protein is involved in the activation of stem cells, which are later transformed into bone cells.

A few words should be said about stem cells. Dr. Natoli noted that he wanted to conduct a rodent study using stem cell injection of bone tissue together with the antioxidant NAc, which can fight oxidative stress. Such an experiment is necessary in order to find out whether this will help speed up the recovery process of mice that received a large dose of alcohol.

The author of the study, Roman Natoli, noted that such therapy may be needed by real alcoholics in the modern world. Although, as the most effective means for treating a fracture and speedy bone fusion, Dr. Natoli suggested giving up drinking alcohol not just for a couple of days or weeks, but for several months. According to the expert, the bone should grow together properly, strengthen and become completely healthy.