A former teacher’s life was almost destroyed by a rare disease he suffered from which caused his body to produce alcohol.
Mark Mongiardo, 40, of Florida, has autobrewer’s syndrome, a condition in which microbes in his gut convert sugar into alcohol. It makes him drunk even though he hasn’t been drinking.
The diagnosis came after he lost his entire career and home and had to move in with his wife’s family. She even began to suspect him of sneaking beer when no one was around.
But Mr Mongiardo has already been hauled over the coals by bosses who accused him of “smelling alcohol” at school. In 2019, when he was arrested twice in six months for “drinking under the influence” despite not having touched alcohol.
To cope with his current condition, Mongiardo says he has to take 30 pills a day and live on a low-carb diet with no pasta and pizza — tough for an Italian-American. He says he always takes a breath test before he drives.
Mark Mongiardo, 40, of Florida, was diagnosed with autobrewing disease, in which his body produces its own alcohol that allowed him to get drunk even when he wasn’t drinking
The former gym teacher was dragged over the coals by bosses for years before two drink-driving charges within six months saw him lose his job. Criminal charges led to even the Aldi supermarket not giving him a job, causing him to lose his home and job and move in with his in-laws.
Mr. Mongiardo now takes 30 pills a day and follows a low-carb diet to prevent his body from producing more alcohol. He is above with his children and wife, who have not been named
‘for years, [my wife] I thought I would hide the booze and come home every day and actually be drunk,” he told TODAY.
“I had symptoms of intoxication, from slurred speech to balance problems. And it happened even at social events where I didn’t drink.”
Mr Mongiardo started teaching physical education at a New Jersey school in 2005 but was soon hauled in front of the principal after parents said he “smelled of alcohol”.
Tattoo artist (26), who often arrived drunk, was diagnosed with autobrew disease
Alyssa Kelsch (26) from Utah’s eyes were covered, her tongue folded in two and she burst out laughing as if she were drunk.
Throughout his teaching career, and especially between 2012 and 2016, he has been called to account for these claims – although he would never dream of touching alcohol around children.
In 2018, he changed roles and became a sporting director.
Three weeks after starting work, he was stopped by the police and breathed out. They charged him with drink driving after he was over the legal limit.
Mr Mongiardo insisted he had not been drinking, and his boss at the time said they were “ready to get over it” because they were so happy with his work.
Six months later, when he was arrested by the police and breathing again, they had to let him go.
Then I lost everything. I’ve lost everything there is to lose,” he told ABC7.
“I had to sell my house, I had to sell my car. I couldn’t get a job as a teacher, I couldn’t get a job in the supermarket. I had pending criminal charges. You know, I risked two DWIs in jail for not drinking.”
Due to pending criminal charges, he couldn’t even get a job stacking shelves at the Aldi supermarket.
It was at this point that his mother suggested that he see a doctor, pointing out that internet research suggested that it was possible that his body was “producing” alcohol.
Autobrewery syndrome is caused by an imbalance in the gut microbiota, which can be caused by poor diet or antibiotics, among other things.
This leads to a predominance of yeast and other microorganisms in the intestines, which convert sugar into alcohol and not just energy.
This alcohol can then be absorbed into the bloodstream, causing a person to become “drunk” even if they haven’t been drinking.
There are no firm estimates of how many Americans have this condition, but more than 60 cases have been described in the medical literature.
Mr. Mongiardo went to Staten Island Gastroenterologist, Dr. Prasanna Wickremesinghe who specializes in this condition.
Mr. Mongiardo is above with his wife and two children. The family has since moved to Florida
They did a test that checked the patient’s blood alcohol level before and about an hour after drinking a sugary drink.
The results showed that his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) had risen to 0.14 units of alcohol per 100ml of blood, despite the fact that he had not been drinking alcohol.
A score above 0.5 is legal proof that you have a disability.
Mr. Mongiardo described the moment: “Within the first hour I was at 0.14.
“When I saw it [the doctor] just shook his head. He said, “You definitely have autobrewer syndrome. Her BAC was through the roof.”
“We cried. Honestly, it was so emotional.’
After being diagnosed in May 2019, the father decided to quit teaching and work in real estate in New York before returning to Florida in the wake of the pandemic.
He now works at Target in the state where his wife and children have moved.
To control his body’s condition, he takes pills and follows a low-carb diet that has phased out pizza and pasta.
He always does a breath test before taking the kids anywhere.
The felony charges were also dropped after the police took too long to bring her to justice.
“I come from an Italian-American family. Since my diagnosis in May 2019, I have not eaten pasta, pizza or anything like that.
“In the beginning it was extremely challenging.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
