|  | Conditions Treatments | Diseases

Nutrition for Alcohol Dependence

The Townsend Letter to Doctors and Patients urges alcoholics--whether still drinking or in recovery--to utilize a nutritional strategy to counteract vitamin deficiencies associated with chronic alcohol abuse. Proper nutrition can boost levels of key nutrients and lessen physical side effects of alcohol consumption. Good nutrition may even reduce cravings for alcohol and ease withdrawal symptoms. Eating well and taking supplements is also important because vitamin deficiencies can hinder recovery by causing you to feel weak, ill or unhappy, which will make you more likely to want to drink.

  1. Antioxidants

    • The most common antioxidants are Vitamins A, C and E. Taking a dose of these vitamins when you drink alcohol may leave you with less of a hangover, according to Psychiatric Times. This is because antioxidants protect cells, including brain cells, from damaging substances that are released in the body during alcohol metabolism. Taking vitamin C an hour before you start drinking helps the body eliminate alcohol from the body more quickly, which may reduce harmful effects on the liver.

    Magnesium

    • Between 30 to 60 percent of alcoholics have low levels of magnesium, according to the National Institutes for Health website. Psychiatric Times recommends alcoholics take a 500 to 1500 mg supplement each day to increase blood flow to the brain and to help reverse neuropsychological damage caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. Magnesium-rich foods include leafy greens, salmon, sardines, broccoli, nuts, seeds and beans.

    Amino Acids

    • People who consume excessive amounts of alcohol may be deficient in the amino acids taurine, adenosylmethionine (SAMe), tyrosine, l-tryptophan, and acetyl-l-carnitine. Taking amino acid supplements may reduce withdrawal symptoms, restore brain function and protect liver health, according to Psychiatric Times. Taurine appears to lower levels of acetalhdehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism. Psychiatric Times recommends SAMe for alcoholic patients with underlying depression issues. SAMe may also help patients still struggling to quit alcohol to reduce their intake.

    Thiamin

    • Thiamin (or vitamin B1) plays an important role in brain function, metabolism, digestion and electrolyte flow. Between 30 to 80 percent of alcoholics are thiamin deficient, according to Integrative Medicine. Symptoms of deficiency include weakness, dizziness, reduced cognitive function, depression, digestive problems, neuropathy and insomnia. Alcohol-related psychosis is believed to be a result of inadequate levels of this vitamin.

    Water

    • The Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients stresses the importance of hydration in treating anyone with nutritional deficiencies. Adequate intake of water is essential to digestion, circulation, excretion, nutrient transport and the removal of waste products from the body. Because alcohol is a diuretic, it drains fluid from the body instead of providing hydration.

Diseases - Related Articles