For example, acute intoxication in humans with blood alcohol levels of 0.2 percent can severely disrupt neutrophil functioning and their ability to destroy bacteria (Tamura et al. 1998). Studies in laboratory animals have confirmed the adverse effects of acute alcohol exposure on pulmonary infections. Pneumoniae impaired lung chemokine activity in response to the infection, which resulted in reduced recruitment of immune cells into the lungs, decreased bacterial clearance from the lungs, and increased mortality (Boé et al. 2001; Raasch et al. 2010). The effects of both acute and chronic alcohol exposure on the immune responses in the lungs and thus on susceptibility to pulmonary infections are discussed in more detail in the article by Simet and Sisson. Many studies have evaluated the effects of chronic alcohol on adaptive immune responses, and this research is reviewed in more detail in the article by Pasala and colleagues in this issue.
- Innate immune responses are nonspecific “natural killer” cells, and complement proteins.
- If you drink every day, or almost every day, you might notice that you catch colds, flu or other illnesses more frequently than people who don’t drink.
- Alcohol consumption can directly impair the function of various immune cells, making them less effective in combating infections.
- You probably already know that excessive drinking can affect you in more ways than one.
Opposing Effects of Alcohol on the Immune System
It’s crucial to note that the effects of alcohol on the immune system can vary depending on the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption, as well as individual variations. As a result, wounds, cuts, and injuries may take longer to heal in individuals who consume alcohol excessively. To understand the specific ways alcohol impairs the immune system, we will explore the altered production of cytokines and the disruption of gut microbiota in the following sections. Alcohol can affect behaviors that increase the likelihood of acquiring or transmitting HIV to others. Alcohol may also speed HIV progression in people living with the disease, influence their engagement and retention in HIV treatment, and increase their susceptibility to organ damage and coinfections. Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works.
- Abstinence partially restored antibody responses against hepatitis antigens in a mouse model (Encke and Wands 2000).
- While moderate alcohol consumption may have some health benefits, excessive or chronic alcohol intake can have detrimental effects on immune function.
- You will learn the mechanisms, see how drinking may affect your immune system, and discover ways to support it.
- Increased apoptosis of T and B lymphocytes isolated from the thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes of female mice was observed following 16 hour culture with 0.4%-2% ethanol, concentrations 5 to 25 times the definition of intoxication (Slukvin and Jerrells 1995).
- However, long-term alcohol consumption can significantly impact this defense system.
- These effects collectively increase the individual’s susceptibility to various infections and diseases.
Alcohol consumption and immunity
The inflammatory response primarily involves phagocytic cells that help eliminate the pathogen, cytokines secreted mainly by these phagocytes, and other molecules (e.g., oxygen radicals) that assist in killing the pathogen. The second phase, the development of immunity to the pathogen, is mediated by T cells and B cells. However, similarly to the in vitro studies described above, at 2 and 5 hours post-binge the numbers of circulating monocytes were reduced and levels of antiinflammatory IL-10 levels were increased (Afshar, Richards et al. 2014).
What supplements can help support the immune system?
Turns out, alcohol doesn’t just affect your liver or give you a headache; it can mess with your immune system too. Yep, that means your body’s defense against all those nasty bugs might be weaker after a night of heavy drinking. Long-term alcohol use can result in a lower sleep quality and chronic sleep problems such Sober living house as insomnia. This has an indirect effect on the immune system as getting a high-quality sleep (between 7 to 9 hours per night) can strengthen the white blood cells in your body as well as generally enhance your health and decrease risk of heart disease. Excessive drinking over a long period of time affects your liver cells by reducing their ability to regenerate. This permanent damage to the liver weakens the immune system since your body will be more vulnerable to infections, such as urinary tract infections.
immune health
It impairs the production of new cells, slows down collagen synthesis, and hampers the formation of new blood vessels necessary for tissue repair. In addition to how does alcohol affect the immune system its effects on the brain, alcohol also affects the peripheral nervous system, which comprises the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. For example, alcohol misuse is linked to peripheral neuropathy, a condition that commonly occurs in people with severe alcohol use disorder (AUD) and can cause numbness in the arms and legs and painful burning in the feet.
