Alcohol use disorder (AUD) can lead to severe deficiency in several vitamins and minerals. Glycine is also used to create protein, helping you replenish your ability to strengthen your muscles. Most meats contain adequate levels Most people with alcohol and drug addiction survive of glycine, but it can also be found as a powder for supplementation. Adequate glycine levels can help you can feel fuller, stronger, and more nourished. An overall healthy diet and lifestyle can have beneficial effects.
- You may have a strong urge to eat sweets because they set off dopamine, the same chemical messenger triggered by some drugs.
- The development of addiction is itself an example of neuroplasticity, as the reward pathway’s activity chemically adapts to the presence of drugs or alcohol.
Additionally, vitamin C deficiency can aggravate symptoms of alcoholic liver disease. Similar to folic acid, deficiency can be caused by inadequate intake and alcohol inhibiting storage and absorption. As a dietitian, I like to promote “food first.” However, when our bodies are low on essential nutrients, the best way to replete those nutrients is with supplementation. Alcohol intake can slow down metabolism and lead to decreased intake. Minimal food intake can lead to malnutrition and vitamin and nutrient deficiencies. Some studies also show that chronic alcohol intake can affect the gut and lead to digestive problems.
Best Supplements for Alcohol Recovery
In fact, alcohol is known to prevent the body from absorbing and using the nutrients gained from foods. Without these key nutrients, you not only risk succumbing to various physical ailments, but you can also struggle to think clearly and act quickly. Worse, even if you begin an exercise regimen, this phenomenon can limit your muscle growth, making exercising more complex and less effective. At The Recovery Village Columbus, we care about helping you feel your best during recovery, ultimately succeeding in your recovery journey. Contact a Recovery Advocate today to learn how we can help you achieve lasting freedom from alcohol addiction. A bonus is that many of these foods are an excellent source of thiamine and zinc, two nutrients that recovering alcoholics often need the most.
Amino acids are in lean meats, eggs, seafood, dairy, tofu, quinoa, seeds, and beans. These nutrients help support the energy you need to fight your addiction. They also keep the brain and nervous system functioning properly and aid the metabolism with digestion and hydration. “If we give thiamine to a whole bunch of people who don’t really need it, there is no harm done,” Shiling said. The total cost of the thiamine and supplies to administer it is $89 for a total of six 500-milligram treatments delivered three times a day for two days.
Vitamin supplements and alcohol withdrawal syndrome: What to know
We’ll dive into each type in related articles to help you determine whether or not you think these alcohol detox supplements are right for you. In my experience, my nutritional deficiencies were resolved after one to three months of supplementation. Therefore, long-term alcohol use leads to lower nutrient consumption and can affect how the body uses this limited supply of nutrients. As a result, many individuals who misuse alcohol may become malnourished. In addition to dietary issues, alcohol affects how the body digests, stores, and uses nutrients.
If you can find a pure or reliable source of CBD, it might be worth trying as a supplement for alcohol withdrawal. Many people who struggle with their drinking don’t have enough L-glutamine in their systems. Adding this nutrient can help boost mood in recovery and reduce withdrawal symptoms, making it one of the best supplements for alcohol cravings. Increasing your glutamine intake during early recovery can help you suppress your cravings while also keeping your nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea under control. Glutamine is also good for supporting proper gut health, so get plenty of meats, cheese like ricotta or cottage cheese, yogurt, milk, and cruciferous veggies like spinach and cabbage.
What are some nutrient-rich foods that can support the recovery process for alcoholics?
As a result, a SAM shortage boosts 5-Methyl THF production while lowering 5,10-Methyl THF and GSH production. James Lake, M.D., a clinical assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, works to transform mental health care through the evidence-based uses of alternative therapies. Magnesium is a vital mineral that participates in more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
This includes neurotransmitter and hormonal activity, both of which can have a huge effect on your mood and brain function. Citicoline has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, and enhances the synthesis of acetylcholine and dopamine, which are two neurotransmitters that are critical for optimal brain function. It also increases the number of acetylcholine https://accountingcoaching.online/50-sobriety-gifts-ideas-effective-substance-abuse/ and dopamine receptors in your brain (2-7). Research shows that vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause metabolic imbalances that create addictive cravings (97, 98). One simple solution is to buy multivitamins, which contain most of the nutrients we discussed above. Taking this approach would be as simple as taking the multivitamin once per day.
It’s difficult to identify definitively the benefits of the treatment, but for Shiling the “probable consequences” of thiamine deficiency have been on display during his seven years as a CeDAR nurse. “We frequently see patients after detox, inpatient care, counseling and multiple modalities of treatment who still have cognitive deficits, but we can’t figure out what they are,” he said. The information we provide while responding to comments is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The responses to comments on fitrecovery.com are designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment.
- I find that I have a brighter outlook on life when I take krill oil consistently.
- If the food is predominantly junk food, the combined effect is to leave the user malnourished.
- Zinc is another nutrient that may be lacking in your body as you recover from alcohol addiction.Among other benefits, you need zinc to keep anxiety at manageable levels.
If you’ve either recently joined the road to recovery or have been beating addiction for some time, I first want to say- I AM SO PROUD OF YOU. Vitamins and their possible mechanisms of action against the liver injury caused by al-cohol consumption. Hcy is metabolized by cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionase to produce cysteine and glutathione (GSH) in transsulfuration processes. It is also important to note that SAM inhibits MTHFR while promoting CBS expression.
Ria Health’s online recovery coaching supports you in improving self-care, and sticking with sobriety long-term. You’ll also get access to anti-craving medications, expert medical advice, handy digital tools, and more—all through an app on your phone. Getting enough water can also help to improve your mood and other cognitive functions at a time when you could really use it—especially if you’re detoxing. It’s essential to drink plenty of fluids during your detox and recovery stage. Chronic alcohol intake can lead to diminished calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc levels.
