Alcohol interferes with the digestion and absorption of nutrients. 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. There’s no way around it—when you drink heavily for a long period, your body takes a hit. Overcoming alcohol use disorder can be a long and difficult process, and different people have different needs. But one often-overlooked aspect of beating addiction is nutrition in recovery.
There are many resources that offer help, and it’s crucial to find one that suits your needs. If your goal is to begin an empowering, holistic adventure to start living your best life beyond alcohol, check vitamins for recovering alcoholics out Total Alcohol Recovery 2.0. Learn more about the role of benzodiazepines for alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety and anticonvulsant drugs that must be prescribed by doctors.
Alcoholism
PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. Caffeine may not have any special anti-hangover powers, but as a stimulant, it could help with the grogginess. However, it’s important to keep in mind that caffeine and alcohol should never be mixed because the caffeine can mask the depressant effects of alcohol, making drinkers feel more alert than they would otherwise. Experiments have shown that clear liquors, such as vodka and gin, tend to cause hangovers less frequently than dark ones, such as whiskey, red wine, and tequila.
- During alcohol addiction treatment, it’s important that you eat a balanced, healthy diet.
- The study shows that taking vitamin C as a vitamin supplement for alcohol treatment will reduce the deficiencies from alcohol abuse.
- There are six nutrient groups derived from food that are considered essential, and they can be divided into micronutrients and macronutrients.
- They may also experience frequent headaches and feel short of breath.
- For example, the recommended dosage of Calcium is 1,000 mg per day.
Studies have shown that amino acid supplements can be helpful for an individual with substance addictions. However, again, only take supplements with a doctor’s guidance. A buildup of amino acids can cause negative effects such as brain damage. You can generally avoid this risk by forgoing supplements and focusing on supplying amino acids through varied protein-rich foods such as meat, eggs, beans, tofu, and quinoa. In recent years, the word “detox” has come to mean cleansing the body from everyday “toxins” by sticking to a special diet and even avoiding food altogether. But in the true medical sense, detoxification is a process that the body undergoes naturally when removing harmful substances like drugs and alcohol from your system.
Mighty Vitamin C
While the body can withstand malnutrition for weeks, if not longer, dehydration quickly becomes a matter of life or death. Water makes up around 60% of the body and plays vital roles in nearly every function. Critical examples include facilitating brain function, improving mood, flushing out toxins and transferring nutrients between cells.
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to form new connections and rearrange old ones, typically in response to injury, disease or a change in the environment. 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. A lack of vitamin B9 can trigger anemia and make you weak, tired, and moody. Folic acid is in foods like enriched bread, flour, cornmeal, pasta, rice, and breakfast cereals. Veggies, fruits, fruit juices, nuts, beans, and peas naturally have folate. Good nutrition also helps your brain rework old connections and make new ones.
The Necessary Nutrients for Drug Detox
Figuring out which ones worked best for me was an empowering process of self-discovery, and the same will be true for you. People often ask me if I still take all of the supplements I’ve written about. I https://ecosoberhouse.com/ 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. So, it’s not uncommon for people to have smaller or larger doses.
- Research shows that DHM can increase the efficacy of enzymes that metabolize alcohol, helping your body to eliminate it faster.
- However, do not consume more than 3 grams of fish oil per day, as too much can cause blood thinning.
- But the body is capable of cleansing itself, as long as it has the right nutrients.
- If it helps to ease the craving you may feel like taking a drink.