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In this special solo episode of FoundMyFitness, we’re taking a deep dive into alcohol. We’ll explore the science, misconceptions, controversies, and health effects of this widely used drug. I believe that a nuanced, scientific discussion on alcohol is the best way to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about alcohol use.

Timestamps

(00:00) Introduction
(08:03) What does it mean to "have a drink"?
(09:39) Drinking frequency definitions
(12:39) How alcohol is metabolized
(18:25) Can alcoholism be inherited?
(19:41) How food affects alcohol metabolism
(21:40) Does age affect alcohol metabolism?
(22:29) How alcohol affects nutrient absorption
(27:04) How alcohol affects gut health
(28:57) Alcohol elevates circulating LPS levels
(31:51) Gut health & alcohol use disorders
(36:30) Sick quitter & healthy user biases
(39:38) How alcohol impacts the brain
(43:34) Alcohol's effects on anxiety
(49:56) Alcohol facilitates thiamine deficiency
(51:39) Alcohol promotes brain inflammation
(52:56) Dementia & Alzheimer's disease risk
(1:06:50) Is resveratrol in red wine beneficial?
(1:11:28) How alcohol impacts sleep
(1:19:47) Mitigating alcohol's impact on sleep
(1:22:13) Hangover symptoms & causes
(1:26:33) How congeners affect hangover severity
(1:27:58) Treating hangovers with fruit
(1:30:40) Zinc, vitamin B3, & hangovers
(1:31:41) Managing hangovers with NSAIDs
(1:32:22) "Hair of the dog” for hangovers
(1:32:40) Liposomal glutathione, NAC, & hangovers
(1:35:56) Does ZBiotics prevent hangovers?
(1:38:18) Dihydromyricetin (DHM) for hangovers
(1:39:15) Exercise & sauna for treating hangovers
(1:40:21) Alcohol's effect on mortality risk
(1:44:28) Alcohol consumption in Blue Zones
(1:49:07) Does alcohol increase cancer risk?
(2:00:43) Can quitting alcohol lower cancer risk?
(2:09:46) Alcohol & cardiovascular disease (CVD)
(2:23:24) Alcohol and type 2 diabetes risk
(2:28:28) Alcohol's impact on your waistline
(2:31:33) Why alcohol facilitates weight gain
(2:34:06) How alcohol impacts reproductive health
(2:44:31) Preconception alcohol risks
(2:47:12) How alcohol affects testosterone in men
(2:48:55) Pre-pregnancy alcohol consumption risks
(2:53:17) Is red wine the healthiest option?
(2:57:47) Alcohol & post-exercise recovery
(3:01:34) Does alcohol "blunt your gains"?
(3:04:11) The BEER-HIIT study
(3:05:03) Can exercise lessen alcohol cravings?
(3:12:57) Alcohol damage control tactics

Show notes are available by clicking here

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#092 The Truth About Alcohol: Risks, Benefits, and Everything In-Between | Dr. Rhonda Patrick

Episode description