ALCOHOL TOLERANCE AND AGE

Navigating Alcohol in Midlife: Understanding Metabolism, Tolerance, and Impact on Health 

As we approach or find ourselves in midlife, our bodies undergo significant changes that affect how we 
process and respond to everyday substances, including alcohol.  
Alcohol Tolerance and Its Midlife Decline 

Alcohol tolerance refers to how the body responds to alcohol over time. As people age, their tolerance to 
alcohol typically decreases. This is partly due to the reduced activity of ADH and ALDH enzymes but also 
to changes in body composition. As muscle mass decreases and body fat increases with age, the body's 
ability to dilute alcohol diminishes. Older adults may find that even small amounts of alcohol can result 
in stronger effects or a more prolonged hangover than they experienced in their younger years.

Alcohol's Effect on Performance and Recovery 
Alcohol has been shown to impair muscle protein synthesis, the process by which the body builds and 
repairs muscle tissue. This impairment is due to both the direct effects of alcohol on muscle cells and its 
indirect effects, such as disrupting sleep and hydration status. 
Drinking alcohol, especially in moderate to large amounts, can also lead to dehydration, further 
compromising recovery and muscle function. For active adults aiming to build or preserve muscle mass, 
alcohol can undermine these efforts, leading to reduced gains and slower recovery times. 

Alcohol, Fat Burning, and Weight Management 
Alcohol is metabolized differently than other nutrients. The body treats it as a toxin, prioritizing its 
breakdown and clearance over other metabolic processes, such as burning fat for energy. When you 
consume alcohol, your body's fat-burning mechanisms (lipolysis) are effectively put on hold until the 
alcohol is processed.  

5 AMINO 1 MQ

 

KEYNOTE 2024 OCTOBER 20 - NOVEMBER 16 $399

The topics for KEYNOTE are 

 

• Identifying your body type, how to train and eat for it
• How food is converted into fat and which macro is your best friend
• How to read your own blood work
• Hormone replacement & estrogen
• GLP1 and appetite regulators
• Posture and movement patterns
• Belly fat & NNMT
• Muscle loss with age - how to adjust your training and nutrition
• Leaky gut and liver health
• Temporary states - how to build muscle and lose fat in the same day
• Leucine and how much protein 
• How to change food preferences & habits
• Growth vs Fixed mindset
• Discipline, self control and self sabotage

If you havent worked with me before KEYNOTE would be a great way to experience how I coach, it offers you an idea of how my coaching progresses through all of my 5 progams.

 

If you have any questions please contact me jo@theshrinkshop.com

 

Until next time - I think I will talk about Andropause next podcast!