Essential Fatty Acids & Alcoholism

Essential fatty acids play integral roles in the maintenance of normal tissue and vital organ function, particularly of the liver and the brain. Alcoholism contributes directly to impaired metabolism of these important nutrients. Aside from liver disease and liver damage, the effect of alcohol on essential fatty acids in the body also extends to brain damage, behavioral problems, suicide and depression.

Liver Disease

Liver damage is perhaps the most well known effect of alcoholism on essential fatty acids. According to Charles S. Lieber, M.D., M.A.C.P., the high blood alcohol levels characteristic of alcoholism impedes the breakdown of essential fatty acids in the liver. Excessive alcohol also interferes with the excretion of proteins containing fat from the liver, and promotes the circulation of more fat in the blood, all of which contributes to the development of fatty liver disease.

Brain Damage

Essential fatty acids and alcoholism also relate to brain damage and diminished brain function. According to David F. Horrobin, M.S., essential fatty acids influence neurotransmission, support the structural components and membranes of the brain and are involved in nerve conduction. Excessive alcohol intake blocks the metabolism of the essential fatty acid linoleic acid that is vital to the maintenance of brain structure. This action may explain short-term behavioral problems associated with alcoholism as well as long-term cognitive impairment.

Violence

The negative impact of alcoholism on the metabolism of essential fatty acids may also explain the propensity for violent actions that many alcoholics demonstrate. According to a 1998 study published in the journal "Biological Psychiatry," alcoholic participants with a history of violence demonstrated significantly lower concentrations of essential fatty acids than the non-violent study subjects, which suggests that essential fatty acid deficiency may be correlated to violence as well as intoxication.

Supplementation

The supplementation of essential fatty acids coupled with abstinence from alcohol appears to quickly reverse the damaging effects of alcohol on essential fatty acid metabolism. According to a 1987 study published in the journal "Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research," after 21 days of supplementation, abstinent alcoholics demonstrated considerable improvements in cognitive function and liver enzyme levels. Also, the subjects' essential fatty acids had come up much closer to normal values in that short space of time.