Beer And Candida Cleanse: Is It Safe?

Candida is a common yeast infection that affects many people. It is caused by an overgrowth of a type of yeast called Candida albicans. While candida is usually harmless, an overgrowth can lead to an infection. One of the golden rules when it comes to treating candida is to avoid drinking alcohol. This is because alcohol can weaken the immune system, disrupt sleep, lower energy levels, and affect the liver and adrenal glands. In addition, alcohol is high in sugar, which can feed the growth of candida yeast. Beer is especially problematic because it contains live yeast, which can add to the overgrowth of yeast in the digestive tract. However, some people may feel that they have their candida under control and want to test their boundaries. If you are one of those people, it is recommended to choose alcoholic drinks that have no or low sugar content and are not made with live yeast, such as vodka, gin, or certain types of wine.

Alcohol weakens the immune system

The negative impact of alcohol on the immune system is well-documented. According to Amitava Dasgupta, a professor in the department of pathology and laboratory medicine, drinking more than three drinks in one day on most days or consuming more than five drinks on any day is damaging to the immune system. Alcohol impairs the ability of your immune system to fight viral infections, and both the Surgeon General and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that individuals at high risk for COVID-19 avoid alcohol to reduce their risk of infection.

The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) explains that alcohol damages the immune system by disrupting the balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut, which is crucial for immune system function. Additionally, heavy drinking may reduce immune system cells, such as white blood cells, leaving you more susceptible to infections. Alcohol also destroys the protective lining inside your respiratory tract, which is used by your immune system to prevent upper respiratory tract infections like the common cold.

The effects of alcohol on the immune system are not limited to the short term. While moderate alcohol consumption may not significantly impact the immune system, excessive drinking can lead to long-term damage. Immune system recovery depends on factors such as the duration of alcohol consumption, the amount consumed, and the extent of liver damage. In some cases, liver damage caused by alcohol may become irreversible, and the immune system may not recover.

Alcohol can overload the liver

Alcohol can have a detrimental effect on the liver, which is one of the body's most complex organs. The liver is responsible for filtering toxins from the blood, aiding digestion, regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and helping to fight infection and disease. When the liver filters alcohol, some of the liver cells die, and prolonged alcohol misuse over many years can reduce its ability to regenerate, resulting in serious and permanent liver damage.

Alcohol-associated liver disease is caused by heavy alcohol use and is common but preventable. There are three types of alcohol-associated liver disease: steatotic (fatty) liver, acute hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Steatotic liver is the most common alcohol-induced liver problem and is characterised by a build-up of fat inside the liver cells, leading to an enlarged liver. Alcohol-associated hepatitis is an acute inflammation of the liver that results in the death of liver cells, often followed by permanent scarring. Cirrhosis is the destruction of normal liver tissue, leaving scar tissue in its place. In this situation, the liver may stop functioning correctly.

The liver breaks down alcohol into acetaldehyde through an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase. Another enzyme then further breaks down the acetaldehyde into acetate, which gives our cells energy. However, when there is more acetaldehyde in the body than the enzyme can process, high levels of this chemical remain, causing a kind of poisoning that can lead to physical damage and distorted mental perceptions. This accumulation of acetaldehyde is made worse by candida overgrowth, as candida also produces acetaldehyde.

Alcohol can also affect iron absorption. Excess iron can lead to liver damage, and alcohol consumption can increase the amount of iron absorbed. A study by the University of Washington Medical Center found that iron overload increased significantly in people who drank more than two alcoholic drinks per day compared to non-drinkers.

Alcohol affects your mood

Alcohol is a psychoactive substance, meaning it can significantly alter our mood and behaviour. While a couple of drinks may initially make us feel good, alcohol is a depressant that slows down the parts of the brain where we make decisions and consider consequences.

Alcohol changes our brain chemistry, lowering serotonin levels over time. Serotonin is an important chemical that affects our mood. This can lead to anxiety, stress, and low mood. It also increases the production of dopamine, often referred to as a 'happy hormone'. However, the body becomes accustomed to the dopamine boosts from alcohol and starts making less of it, leading to a dopamine deficiency and potentially contributing to low mood.

Alcohol can also worsen pre-existing mental health issues. People with depression and anxiety might use alcohol to ease their symptoms, but excessive alcohol use can have the opposite effect. It can also get in the way of other activities, relationships, and self-esteem, which can further impact mental health.

In addition, alcohol can affect sleep patterns, causing fatigue and irritability. It can disrupt the REM cycle, resulting in non-restorative sleep and leaving individuals feeling exhausted.

Alcohol can wreck your sleep

Alcohol can have a detrimental effect on your sleep, even if you feel relaxed and sleepy after a drink. It can disrupt your sleep by interfering with your sleep cycle, causing sleep disorders, and interfering with your circadian rhythm.

Sleep Cycle

Alcohol can alter your sleep cycle, reducing the amount of REM sleep you get. REM sleep is the stage of sleep where most dreaming occurs. While you may fall asleep faster after a drink, you are likely to experience more deep sleep initially and less REM sleep. Later in the night, once your body has metabolised the alcohol, you are likely to experience lighter sleep and frequent wakings, leading to fragmented, low-quality sleep.

Sleep Disorders

Heavy alcohol use can contribute to the development of insomnia, a sleep disorder characterised by difficulty falling and staying asleep. As many as three-quarters of people with alcohol dependence experience insomnia symptoms when they drink. On the other hand, people with insomnia have an increased risk of developing alcohol use disorder, as they may turn to alcohol as a sleep aid. This can create a destructive pattern where individuals drink to fall asleep but experience poor sleep throughout the night.

Circadian Rhythm

Alcohol use and dependence can interfere with your circadian rhythm, the biological patterns that operate on a 24-hour clock. Alcohol may decrease your body's sensitivity to cues like daylight and darkness, which trigger shifts in body temperature and the secretion of the sleep hormone melatonin. These fluctuations play a vital role in the sleep-wake cycle, and when they are weakened, you may feel alert when you want to sleep and sleepy when you want to be awake.

If you want to improve your sleep, experts recommend avoiding alcohol at least three hours before bed. This may need to be longer if you consume multiple drinks in a short period, drink on an empty stomach, are sensitive to alcohol, or take medications that intensify its effects.

Alcohol zaps your energy

Alcohol is known for its sedative effects that can make you feel drowsy and lethargic. Even one drink can make you feel drowsy, especially if you're already feeling tired or didn't sleep well the night before.

Alcohol can also negatively impact your sleep quality. Several hours after consumption, alcohol raises the body's level of epinephrine, a stress hormone that increases the heart rate and stimulates the body, which can result in nighttime awakenings. It can also worsen sleep-related breathing problems and contribute to sleep apnea.

Additionally, alcohol can affect your energy levels by disrupting your sleep. It can cause you to wake up in the middle of the night and make it difficult to fall back asleep, leaving you feeling exhausted the next day.

Alcohol also affects your liver function, which is crucial for processing and eliminating toxins, including those produced by Candida overgrowth. When the liver breaks down alcohol, it turns into acetaldehyde, a powerful neurotoxin and carcinogen. If not efficiently processed by the liver, acetaldehyde can cause chronic headaches and brain fog, further zapping your energy.

Furthermore, alcohol can lower your blood glucose levels, which can lead to food cravings and poor dietary choices. It can also affect your mood, intensifying mood swings and depression by altering your brain chemistry and reducing serotonin levels.

Finally, alcohol can put additional stress on your adrenal glands, which are responsible for maintaining a healthy immune system, controlling inflammation, and defending against Candida overgrowth.

In summary, alcohol can zap your energy by disrupting your sleep, affecting your liver function, lowering blood glucose, impacting your mood, and stressing your adrenal glands.

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