Mr. Q reported that he frequently gets sick. Which of the following statements is not true explaining why excess alcohol consumption would cause a person to get sick more frequently?
a. Excess alcohol consumption displaces food, which can lead to a protein deficiency.
b. The absorption of zinc is impaired, creating a zinc deficiency, which will negatively affect the immune response, making infections more likely.
c. Thiamin absorption is impaired causing a thiamin deficiency, weakening the body's defense against infections.
d. Alcohol provides kcalories, but the kcalories are empty of nutrients, including protein.
e. Excess alcohol slows down the synthesis of proteins such as antibodies, which are needed for immune system function.

Excess alcohol consumption displaces nutrient-filled food with empty calories (i.e calories void of nutrients). In fact, the body process alcohol as fat, thereby causes weight gain which cannot be attributed to good health.

Nutrients in food such as proteins, thiamine and zinc are very important in the production of the bodies defenses (antibodies) which helps the body to fight diseases and in stress conditions. The body with a weakened immune system, is therefore prone to diseases as the body cannot naturally fight diseases effectively on its own.