Alcohol Metabolism

Liver alcohol metabolism converts ethanol to acetaldehyde and then acetaldehyde to acetate. The liver is described as the main organ for processing ethanol. ZBiotics' rationale is to supply an insufficient enzymatic step in the gut rather than affect all alcohol metabolism. A single drink takes approximately one hour for the liver's full enzyme network to process into a less toxic form. Gut microbes can convert some ethanol into acetaldehyde, which may accumulate in the colon. With repeated heavy drinking, acetaldehyde and other toxic intermediate compounds linger longer in liver cells. As the liver's enzyme network deteriorates, its capacity to detoxify falls broadly, not just for alcohol but for all toxins, drugs, and metabolic waste. Ethanol itself remains harmful and can still cause intoxication and sleep disruption. Repeated drinking outpaces the liver's processing capacity, allowing toxic intermediates to accumulate and cause direct cellular harm. DNA damage within liver cells from heavy drinking raises the risk of liver cancer.