Auto-Brewery Syndrome

Is it possible to be drunk without drinking alcohol? Actually, yes. There is a condition called auto-brewery syndrome whereby an imbalance in your gut microbiome can ferment carbohydrates to create alcohol. Blood alcohol levels can get surprisingly high. Though this condition is thought to be rare, it might just be underdiagnosed. Patients are dealing with legal ramifications, social stigmas, and disbelief by friends, family, and physicians. Today we introduce the topic of auto-brewery syndrome to raise awareness that your gut microbiome can produce alcohol. We discuss how it occurs, how to diagnose it, and some strategies to treat it. Today on The Lab Report:   3:10 What is auto-brewery syndrome? 5:30 Causes and clinical associations 9:45 SIBO/SIFO – should we be checking alcohol levels? 10:50 Chronic tolerance and long-term alcohol effects  12:20 How to diagnose ABS 14:30 Treatment strategies 17:00 Is it as rare as we think? Is there a spectrum? 18:12 Question of the Day What patterns might we see on GI Effects and NutrEval? Additional Resources: Genova Connect **PROMO CODE TheLabReport20 for 20% off your purchase** Auto-Brewery Syndrome Advocacy and Research   Subscribe, Rate, & Review The Lab Report Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of The Lab Report, presented by Genova Diagnostics, with your hosts Michael Chapman and Patti Devers. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button and give us a rating or leave a review. Don’t forget to visit our website, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Email Patti and Michael with your most interesting and pressing questions on functional medicine: [email protected]. And, be sure to share your favorite Lab Report episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media to help others learn more about Genova and all things related to functional medicine and specialty lab testing. To find a qualified healthcare provider to connect you with Genova testing, or to access select products directly yourself, visit Genova Connect. Disclaimer: The content and information shared in The Lab Report is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views and opinions expressed in The Lab Report represent the opinions and views of Michael Chapman and Patti Devers and their guests.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.