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Alcohol Metabolism

Meaning

The term Alcohol Metabolism defines the essential sequence of biochemical reactions the human body employs to break down ethanol, the active component in alcoholic beverages, into less toxic compounds for elimination. This critical process primarily occurs in the liver and is fundamentally a detoxification pathway designed to protect the organism from cellular damage. The rate and efficiency of this metabolism directly influence circulating acetaldehyde levels, a highly toxic intermediate, which impacts both acute intoxication and long-term organ health. A clinical understanding of this pathway is vital for assessing liver burden and overall metabolic resilience.