How does alcohol affect the pancreas of a diabetic?

I used to take 360 ml of wine daily Now I am Diabetic what is the reaction of alcohol on Pancreas ?

edited Apr 20 2012 at 20:18

Lady_Arwen
7,531●12●40

asked Apr 20 2012 at 11:51

RA
1

Are you Type 1 or 2? I'd be more concerned about the effect on the liver if you are T2. – Dave S. Apr 20 2012 at 12:17

Are you asking how alcohol helped get you here, or what alcohol does for/to you now? The universal answer is that your body metabolizes ethyl alcohol preferentially to any normal fuel stores (glucose included). This causes excess insulin and glucose both to be circulating in your bloodstream, down-regulating insulin production (DM1-like) as well as receptor synthesis (DM2-like). – interrobung Apr 20 2012 at 12:53

As a T1 Diabetic, I was always advised against excessive alcohol consumption due to the fact that it blocks the liver from releasing glucagon when blood sugar levels dip too low. – Caveman formally known as Dan Apr 20 2012 at 13:07

@interrobung - consider moving that comment into an answer -- 'cause it is the answer. :-) – greymouser Apr 20 2012 at 14:10