When alcohol goes into the body, it is absorbed into the blood stream from the stomach and intestines. The blood will first goes through the liver before circulating around the whole body, therefore the highest concentration of alcohol is in the blood flowing through the liver. Liver cells contain enzymes to which process alcohol. The liver cells can process only a certain amount of alcohol per hour. So, if you drink alcohol faster than your liver can deal with it, the level of alcohol in your bloodstream rises.
In the U.S. more than 15 million people abuse or overuse alcohol. Of these, over 90% develop alcoholic fatty liver disease. Alcoholic fatty liver disease can occur after drinking moderate or large amounts of alcohol. It can even occur after a short period of heavy drinking; known as acute alcoholic liver disease. Genetics plays a role in alcoholic fatty liver disease in two ways. First, it may influence how much alcohol you consume and your likelihood of developing alcoholism. And, it may also affect levels of liver enzymes involved in the breakdown of alcohol.
Other factors that may increase the chances of developing alcoholic fatty liver disease included: Hepatitis C, overload of iron, obesity & diet.
If you want to know more about alcoholic fatty liver disease, please go to Chashi, our fatty liver information network, for more details.
