How Long-Term Alcohol Abuse Can Cause Decreased Muscle Mass

Evidence shows long-term alcohol abuse can lead to muscle weakness and decreased muscle mass. At The Providence Projects, we understand the difficulties your loved one may be facing and are here to help them through this challenging time. If they have noticed a pattern of decreased muscle mass, it might result from long-term alcohol abuse.

Muscle Mass and Its Importance

Muscle mass plays a crucial role in maintaining our overall health and well-being. It is not just about physical appearance; healthy muscle mass contributes significantly to various aspects of our lives, from daily activities to long-term health. For instance, good muscle mass is essential for maintaining strength and mobility, allowing us to perform daily activities efficiently. It also helps improve our posture, balance, and coordination, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.

Our muscles are metabolically active tissues, meaning they burn calories even at rest. A higher muscle mass leads to an increased basal metabolic rate (BMR), which helps burn more calories throughout the day and aids in weight management. Also, a healthy muscle mass can help prevent and manage chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. It contributes to better blood sugar control and improved insulin sensitivity. As we age, our muscle mass naturally declines, leading to sarcopenia. So, maintaining a healthy muscle mass throughout our lives can reduce the risk of sarcopenia and maintain our strength, mobility, and independence as we age.

The Link Between Alcohol Abuse and Decreased Muscle Mass

Alcohol abuse can have numerous detrimental effects on your loved one’s overall health; one of the lesser-known consequences is its impact on muscle mass.

Long-term alcohol abuse significantly affects muscle health, primarily by impairing the body’s ability to maintain and regenerate muscle tissue. Alcohol disrupts protein metabolism, shifting the balance toward protein breakdown and reducing protein synthesis, essential for muscle repair and growth. Chronic drinking also interferes with the activation and function of satellite cells, which are crucial for muscle regeneration. This process is compounded by hormonal changes caused by alcohol, such as reduced testosterone and elevated cortisol levels, which further accelerate muscle degradation and inhibit recovery from damage. These combined effects result in a condition known as alcoholic myopathy, characterised by reduced muscle mass and strength​.

At the cellular level, alcohol-induced damage to mitochondria – the cell’s energy generators – plays a significant role in muscle decline. Mitochondria rely on processes like fusion and fission for self-repair, but alcohol disrupts these mechanisms, particularly mitochondrial fusion, which is critical in skeletal muscles. A study funded by the National Institutes of Health highlighted that chronic alcohol consumption reduces levels of mitofusin 1, a protein vital for mitochondrial fusion, leading to impaired energy production and reduced muscle resilience. Over time, this mitochondrial dysfunction weakens muscle fibres, exacerbating tissue loss and functional deficits.

Here are several ways in which alcohol abuse can interfere with the body’s ability to build and maintain muscle mass:

1. Impaired protein synthesis: Protein synthesis is the process by which our body builds and repairs muscle tissue. Alcohol consumption can disrupt this process by impairing the synthesis of new proteins and reducing the overall rate of muscle protein synthesis. This can result in a decreased ability to build and maintain muscle mass.
2. Hormonal imbalances: Alcohol abuse can disrupt hormone levels, such as testosterone and growth hormone. Reduced testosterone levels can lead to a decrease in muscle mass and strength. In contrast, lower growth hormone levels can impair muscle recovery and repair.
3. Malnutrition: Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to malnutrition. Excessive alcohol consumption can interfere with the absorption and utilisation of essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. Malnutrition can further contribute to muscle wasting and weakness, as our body lacks the necessary nutrients for muscle health.
4. Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic. It can cause increased urine production and dehydration in your loved one. Dehydration can negatively affect muscle function and performance and impair their muscle recovery and growth.
5. Alcoholic myopathy: Long-term alcohol abuse can cause alcoholic myopathy, characterised by muscle weakness, atrophy, and pain. Alcoholic myopathy can affect skeletal and cardiac muscles, leading to reduced mobility and an increased risk of heart-related issues.

Treatment Options for Alcoholic Myopathy

The first and most crucial step in treating alcoholic myopathy is to address the underlying cause — alcohol abuse. At The Providence Projects, we offer a range of treatment options tailored to your unique needs. Our compassionate and experienced team will work with your loved one to develop a personalised treatment plan, including detoxification, therapy, counselling, and support groups.

In addition to treating alcohol abuse, focusing on improving muscle health is essential. This may involve working with a nutritionist to develop a balanced diet that provides the necessary nutrients for muscle repair and growth. Physical therapy and exercise programmes can also help rebuild muscle strength and improve overall functionality.

We offer the following physique-improvement methods as part of our treatment:

• Gym classes
• Nutritional assistance
• Yoga
• Walks and light beach hiking
• Fun and games during group therapy
• Different sports are allowed in our yard

While treatment options are available, the best approach is to prevent alcohol abuse and its associated complications. At The Providence Projects, we have a long history of helping people and their families overcome the challenges of alcohol addiction and its complications, such as decreased muscle mass. Our team is dedicated to providing the support, guidance, and resources necessary for a successful recovery.

If your loved one is struggling with alcohol abuse and its impact on muscle health, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are here to help you take the first step toward a healthier, happier life.

The Providence Projects Can Help You Heal

We know you want to avoid experiencing dehydrated skin. Hence, we are offering you the best level of care possible. The Providence Projects is a renowned addiction treatment centre with over 25 years of experience helping individuals like you overcome alcohol and drug addiction. We do not do this for ourselves but to help you.

If you are struggling with alcohol addiction and its effects on your skin, don’t hesitate to reach out to The Providence Projects for help. Call our helpline to learn more about alcoholism treatment and take the first step towards a healthier, happier life.

Our goal is to enhance your overall well-being and decrease your chances of developing osteoporosis and fractures. At our clinic, we understand that each person’s journey to recovery is different. That’s why we create customised treatment plans that consider each client’s specific needs, preferences, and circumstances. Our dedicated team of therapists, counsellors, and medical professionals work together to develop a holistic approach to addiction treatment, addressing the recovery process’s physical, emotional, and psychological aspects. If you or someone you care about is battling alcohol abuse, don’t hesitate to reach out to The Providence Projects now to embark on your path towards recovery and improved health.