Taking a B3 supplement in recovery can help regulate your metabolism, maintain neurotransmitter balance, and even improve your ability to stay sober. All in all, a regular B-complex is one of the most important vitamins for recovering alcoholics to take. L-glutamine is another great supplement for anyone trying to reduce their alcohol consumption. This amino acid occurs naturally in the body and many protein-rich foods, and is a building block for some of the brain chemicals that regulate anxiety and depression. In this post, we’ll discuss the relationship between alcohol and nutrition, plus 12 of the best supplements and vitamins for alcoholics in recovery. These include supplements for alcohol cravings, repairing your liver, and rebalancing your nervous system.
Precautions and Consultation with Healthcare Providers
D-phenylalanine also slows the breakdown of endorphins, which act as the body’s natural painkiller, prolonging their release into the body. Vitamin C also plays a significant role in collagen production, which is depleted after heavy alcohol consumption. Restoring collagen levels can improve the skin, blood vessels, and connective tissues. If you’re new to recovery, your body may not be used to eating or digesting much.
- This approach helps us extend our reach, enabling us to help more individuals take the first, often difficult, step towards sobriety.
- It may also depend on any other physical and mental health issues an individual has.
- Excessive drinking can cause malabsorption, causing further vitamin deficiencies.
- Fortunately, taking vitamins regularly and achieving good nutrition can help alleviate some of these adverse effects.
How Heavy Drinking Causes Malnutrition
When you regularly consume alcohol, it hinders the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, particularly water-soluble vitamins Drug rehabilitation such as vitamin B12 and vitamin C. Although small amounts of alcohol may not have a big impact on your nutritional health, many chronic, heavy drinkers struggle with significant nutrient deficiencies. Good nutrition in recovery can also boost your mental health—an important factor in maintaining your sobriety.
Effects of Alcohol Use on Nutrient Absorption
- You may also consider taking multivitamin supplements containing B1, B2, B3, B6, and vitamin C to alleviate alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
- While vitamins alone cannot treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome, B vitamins, especially thiamine (B1), may be administered as part of medical treatment to address nutritional deficiencies.
- Vitamin C helps to keep the skin healthy, and plays an equally important role in the health of bones, teeth and blood vessels.
- By addressing nutritional imbalances and supporting your body’s repair processes, you can pave the way towards a healthier future.
To maintain healthy thiamine levels and support brain function, you should consume a balanced diet rich in thiamine sources. Moreover, medical professionals often recommend supplementing with oral or intravenous thiamine, especially for individuals with alcohol use disorder. This deficiency can lead to problems, such as slow wound healing, softening of the bones, skin problems, decreased blood clotting, and neurological damage.
Recovery Support
If you consume alcohol regularly and try to stop, you may suffer from anxiety, insomnia, tremors, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ shakiness, dizziness, and depression. In alcohol dependents, half of daily calories is from high alcohol intake. Supplementation with glutamine can additionally assist in attempts to reduce weight as it reduces the body’s desire for sugar and carbohydrate. Supplements with anti-oxidative properties may help to neutralise metabolites of alcohol which normally have damaging effects15. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and Vitamin B9 (folate) have been found to have positive effects on comfort of detoxification from alcohol in a 2012 German study13. Seeking help for addiction may feel daunting or even scary, but several organizations can provide support.
Contact a Recovery Advocate today to learn how we can help you achieve lasting freedom from alcohol addiction. Often overlooked, Vitamin D plays a significant role in bone health, immune function, and mood regulation. Alcohol interferes with the body’s ability to absorb Vitamin D, potentially leading to bone density issues in the long term. Vitamin C helps to keep the skin healthy, and plays an equally important role in the health of bones, teeth and blood vessels.
How Alcohol Affects Your Nutrition
Alcohol abuse can lead to various hematological problems, most commonly anemia. Anemia occurs when your vitamins needed for alcoholics body doesn’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to its tissues. Alcohol can cause a decrease in the production of red blood cells and lower levels of essential vitamins like folic acid, leading to an increased risk of anemia.
- Beyond effects on the stomach lining, chronic drinking typically acts as an appetite suppressant, reducing vitamin and mineral intake from the general diet.
- It’s crucial to engage with your healthcare provider when considering vitamin supplementation as a means of support during your recovery.
- Consult your healthcare provider if your drinking can compromise the medication or supplements you’re currently taking and vice-versa.
- These vitamins are essential for a multitude of bodily functions including brain health, energy production, and maintaining nerve health.
- Learn which signs to look out for, and how to care for your well-being.
Nutrient deficiencies in people with alcoholism
Vitamin C is a powerful immune system booster that assists the body in combating infections and illnesses. Alcoholics may have weakened immune systems, so increasing your intake of vitamin C can give your body the support it needs to fight off potential threats. Vitamin C also plays a role in the creation of collagen, promoting healthier skin and faster wound healing. Long-term alcohol use can cause vitamin A levels to fall in the liver, the primary organ that breaks down alcohol and stores vitamin A. This occurs as both substances use similar pathways in the body to metabolize them.
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