What does chronic alcohol use most negatively affect in the liver?

Chronic alcohol use primarily disrupts the liver's metabolism, particularly the way it processes and breaks down substances. The liver is responsible for metabolizing alcohol itself and managing a variety of nutrients and toxins. Over time, excessive alcohol intake leads to fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and eventually cirrhosis, all of which impair the liver's metabolic functions.

In the context of alcohol metabolism, chronic use overwhelms the liver's ability to effectively break down alcohol and can lead to the accumulation of toxic byproducts. This affects the liver's overall capacity to manage other metabolic processes, including the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, resulting in metabolic disorders.

While regeneration of healthy cells, absorption of nutrients, and detoxification processes are also negatively impacted by chronic alcohol use, the most direct and pervasive impact is on metabolism. This disruption can create a cascade of health issues, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing alcohol abuse for the sake of liver health.