The Truth About Alcohol
By Kelly Morrow
Registered Dietician
Many people with PKD have questions about alcohol. Is it OK to have an occasional drink when you have PKD? Are there any benefits to drinking alcohol? What are the risks?
Here are some factors to consider before you pour yourself a drink.
In general, when speaking about an otherwise healthy population, moderate alcohol intake may help reduce the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s and dementia. Red wine is known to have phytochemicals that are protective to the heart and blood vessels. Microbrew beers are a source of B-vitamins. This being said, nutritional benefits of whole, natural foods outweigh the benefits of alcohol, so there is no reason to start drinking if you never have before. The real question lies in the consideration of risk to the kidneys when they are affected by PKD.
What does research say?
To date, there have not been any studies looking at alcohol’s effects on the progression of PKD. When looking at the effects on other kidney diseases, moderate drinking does not seem to have a dramatic impact. Several studies looking at lifestyle factors and the development of chronic kidney diseases have shown that obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity have associations, while moderate drinking does not seem to have a negative effect.
How can alcohol affect my kidneys?
Alcohol can increase your chance of developing high blood pressure, which is known to accelerate the decline in kidney function in PKD, as well as other kidney diseases. Recent studies from Japan demonstrate an elevation in blood pressure in healthy adult men even with small amounts of alcohol (20 grams per day or roughly equivalent to 1 glass of wine). The effects were magnified in people older than 48, so it is becoming apparent that even light drinking may increase blood pressure, especially if done on a regular basis.
If you already have high blood pressure, alcohol can interfere with your medications and make it harder to control your blood pressure. Uncontrolled or poorly controlled high blood pressure is more likely to damage your kidneys.
Regular alcohol consumption can damage kidney function, particularly if liver disease is also present. Researchers have observed alcohol-related changes in the kidneys that impairs their ability to regulate fluid and electrolytes in the body. This is especially a problem when liver disease is present, so those with liver cysts may want to be especially cautious. Chronic high intake of alcohol can cause both liver and kidney failure.
How much is OK?
This should ultimately be determined by your doctor; however most people with PKD who are otherwise healthy can enjoy the occasional social drink. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, “Moderate Intake of Alcohol” means:
No more than two drinks a day for men
No more than one drink a day for women and older adults (older than 65)
One drink equals:
one 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler
one 5-ounce glass of wine
one ounce of 100-proof whiskey.
These intakes are recommendations for otherwise healthy people. Those with PKD should drink less.
How can alcohol interact with my medications?
Alcohol is known to interfere with the function of many prescription drugs, making them toxic or lessening their effects. It is estimated that nearly half of the 100 most-commonly prescribed medications have negative interactions with alcohol. If you are taking prescription medications, it is important that you know how they interact with alcohol before having a drink. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What if I’m on dialysis?
Your doctor will need to evaluate your medications, overall health and nutritional status before making a recommendation about alcohol. Remember that all alcohol should be counted toward your daily fluid intake.
If you are pre-dialysis, do not have high blood pressure and are not on any medications that interact with alcohol, an occasional drink of alcohol will probably not adversely affect your kidneys. Its always best, however, to consult with your doctor to find out your specific recommendations regarding alcohol and PKD.
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2005 issue of PKD Progress. Kelly Morrow, MS, RD, is a registered dietician in private practice in Seattle, WA, and a regular contributor to PKD Foundation publications. She can be reached at info@kellymorrow.com.