There are at least nutrients that have been clinically shown to help people quit drinking and repair their bodies. Which ones are most beneficial for you will depend on your biochemistry. Often there is a process of trial and error to determine the best possible supplement regimens, but luckily there are effective programs that can help.
Alcohol affects each person differently, but over time, it always leads to nutritional deficiencies. The liver processes alcohol, and when the liver loses its reserves of nutrients used to break down the alcohol, it draws resources from other areas of the body. In addition to the effects of alcohol on the liver, excessive alcohol use also harms the stomach, intestines, and pancreas. Eventually, alcohol abuse inhibits the body’s ability to absorb much-needed nutrients from foods and supplements.
Vitamins for Recovery from Alcohol Addiction
This deficiency can lead to vision trouble, particularly when driving at night. Liver damage, which is already an issue with significant alcohol consumption, becomes even more serious if you are not getting enough of these vitamins. To delve deeper into the connection between nutritional deficiencies and addiction or to explore alternative avenues for mental health treatment, we encourage you to reach out to our team at Banyan Boca.
Additionally, the adaptations that the brain develops disrupt crucial neuropathways, decreasing neurotransmitters and their ability to move normally through the brain. That’s what evens out your moods, helps you sleep better, and soothes the urge for alcohol. Experts suggest a diet with lots of complex carbs like whole grains, veggies, peas, and beans. Good nutrition also helps your brain rework old connections and make new ones. This can make it hard to stay away from alcohol while you’re trying to get better.
What are some nutrient-rich foods that can support the recovery process for alcoholics?
In addition, Shiling designed training in recognizing Wernicke encephalopathy for all CeDAR nurses and physicians and a tool for assessing the condition that is now in the Epic electronic health record. He also successfully advocated for adding thiamine to the initial order set for physicians. People often ask me if I still take all of the supplements I’ve written about. I have a medicine cabinet filled with the aforementioned supplements, and it feels good to know that I have them just in case I need them.
Remember that nutritional therapy should be just one piece of your whole treatment program. To stay in recovery and live a healthier, happier life, you need to try other things. You can see a counselor to learn how to manage stress, join a support group to talk to others who understand what https://trading-market.org/step-1-of-alcoholics-anonymous-what-is-step-1-of/ you’re going through, and get regular exercise to stay healthy and lower anxiety. The first step in treating addiction to any substance is to remove all traces of the substance from the body. Unfortunately, many people attempt to quit drugs or alcohol on their own, which almost never works.
Top 20 Alcohol Detox Supplements for Natural Alcohol Detox
Inflammation can be especially impactful in the intestines, as the harmful components of alcohol can leak from the organ, which becomes weaker as drinking continues. Worse, the immune system will eventually struggle to Learn What Spiritual Malady Is And The Role It Plays In Your Recovery fight off the resulting infections. Additionally, chronic alcohol use may cause issues with metabolism, utilization, and absorption of vitamins. Alcohol intake can slow down metabolism and lead to decreased intake.
- Alcohol consumption often leads to a vitamin B deficiency because your body cannot properly absorb vitamin B when there is alcohol in your system.
- The best source of vitamin C in the United States is orange juice from frozen concentrate (more of the vitamin is preserved when the oranges are frozen).
- Cirrhosis is unfortunately irreversible, though you can slow its progress by ceasing alcohol consumption and eating an anti-inflammatory diet.
- The neurotransmitters in your brain produce dopamine to help you “feel good”, however, drinking interrupts these neurotransmitters.
So, adding these vitamins can aid in your recovery and help prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Multivitamins can help prevent and treat vitamin and mineral deficiency. Thiamine deficiency can lead to beriberi which can affect the heart or nervous system. This nutrient deficiency can also lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a memory disorder due to damage to the nerve cells. Thiamine is the most important vitamin for anyone suffering or previously suffering from alcohol addiction.
Using Nutrition to Improve Neuroplasticity
In general, healthy and nutritious foods are the best to eat when you first stop drinking alcohol. If you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms, maintaining a healthy diet can help your body rehydrate, build back its strength, and restore the nutrients that may have become depleted due to alcohol use. Let’s go over which specific types of foods are best to incorporate. Proper nutrition is essential in recovering from alcohol addiction.
