Biomed Radio - Washington University School Of Medicine In St. Louis

Women who have gastric bypass surgery to lose weight should keep a close eye on their alcohol consumption, according to a study at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Researchers found that changes in how alcohol is metabolized after surgery can speed its delivery into the bloodstream, resulting in earlier and higher peaks in blood-alcohol levels. The researchers said that although this study was conducted in women, they suspect the same changes may affect men. THE MOST COMMON WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY IN THE WORLD IS GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY. WHEN SOMEONE’S HEALTH IS THREATENED BY OBESITY, THE SURGERY CAN HELP THAT PERSON LOSE A LOT OF WEIGHT. BUT IT’S ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH A RISK FOR ALCOHOL PROBLEMS, AND RESEARCHERS AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN ST. LOUIS HAVE FOUND THAT AFTER THE SURGERY, SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER LEVELS OF ALCOHOL GET INTO THE BLOODSTREAM, EVEN WHEN PEOPLE DON’T DRINK VERY MUCH. JIM DRYDEN HAS MORE… WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY NUTRITION AND OBESITY RESEARCHER YANINA PEP