Drinking Causes Metabolic Stress in Young Adults

The results of a new study on oxidative damage to young people who drank alcohol over a five year period indicates damage and showed alterations in genetic biomarkers.

Oxidative Damage (OD) is defined as physiological stress on the body that is caused by the cumulative damage done by free radicals inadequately neutralized by antioxidants and that is held to be associated with aging.

These biomarkers have been used before in studies of late stage alcoholics showing impaired metabolic function.  The new study may help identify people who are at higher risk of developing OD problems later, while still in the early stages of drinking.

A control group of young people between the ages of 18 and 23 who did not drink were compared to a group young adults that drank an average of 118 grams regularly. Blood tests were performed and compared in both groups.  The tests showed similar blood parameters results with no symptoms of liver damage, but there were some differences in the observed results.

Alteration in OD biomarkers can be found in individuals with 4–5 years of alcohol drinking history.

This indicates that regular drinking can be a danger to a healthy life and risks long term damage that we are just beginning to understand.  The idea that young people may be hurting their DNA, aging their minds and bodies when drinking and not even realize it is cause for concern. More studies will need to be done.

Oxidative damage in young alcohol drinkers: A preliminary study

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