CSSD Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Study Resource

Excessive alcohol consumption can significantly disrupt nutritional absorption and metabolism, leading to a broad spectrum of micronutrient deficiencies. Alcohol impacts the body's ability to utilize and store essential vitamins and minerals. It can interfere with the absorption of nutrients from food due to damage to the gastrointestinal tract, impair liver function which is crucial for processing many vitamins and minerals, and may increase the excretion of some nutrients.

Micronutrient deficiencies may include vitamins such as B vitamins (particularly thiamine and folate), vitamin A, and minerals like magnesium and zinc. When alcohol is consumed in large amounts, it can create a nutritional imbalance, as the body may prioritize metabolizing alcohol over metabolizing the nutrients consumed. This results in the depletion of the body's stores over time and can lead to serious health issues connected to these deficiencies.

In contrast, while excessive alcohol can indirectly influence iron levels, it does not directly cause iron deficiency; iron deficiencies can also stem from poor dietary choices, insufficient intake of iron, or acute blood loss, making this less specific. Similarly, while alcohol can contribute to protein calorie malnutrition, the term "micronutrient deficiency" encompasses a range of small nutrients that could be inadequately absorbed due to the effects of alcohol, which