A brief guide to vitamin and mineral supplements when too much of a good thing can become toxic

by | Apr 1, 2024 | Sober living | 0 comments

vitamins for alcoholics

By addressing nutritional imbalances and supporting your body’s repair processes, you can pave the way towards a healthier future. Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is an essential nutrient for the proper functioning of your body, particularly in the conversion of food into energy and the regulation of brain metabolism. Unfortunately, if you have an alcohol use disorder, you’re at an increased risk of thiamine deficiency. This deficiency can lead to severe health issues like Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS), which affects the brain and nervous system. During alcohol recovery, your body requires certain amino acids to help restore neurotransmitter function and support overall brain health. Some important amino acids in this process are tryptophan, tyrosine, and glutamine.

Vitamin B Deficiencies in Chronic Alcoholics – Prevalence and Impact

Magnesium is a mineral involved in many bodily processes, including muscle and nerve function. GLA can be obtained from the diet via borage, black currant oil, and evening primrose oil. ALA is relatively best vitamins for recovering alcoholics safe and well tolerated, even when taken above the recommended dosage.

General Health

It can trigger irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and other gastrointestinal illnesses, too. Heavy drinkers are prone to nutrient deficiencies that can cause fatigue and weakness, skin and hair issues, metabolism problems, bone fractures, bruising, bleeding, and depression. Fortunately, taking vitamins regularly and achieving good nutrition can help alleviate some of these adverse effects.

vitamins for alcoholics

Treatment Facilities

vitamins for alcoholics

Consuming a balanced diet that includes a variety of protein sources will help ensure you receive all the necessary amino acids for proper healing and a successful recovery. 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 Sobriety disorder.

vitamins for alcoholics

  • As an individual dealing with alcoholism, it’s important to understand that self-medicating with vitamins and supplements can pose several risks.
  • However, each vitamin serves a specific function in your body and should be adjusted to your specific symptoms.
  • Therefore, it is essential for individuals in recovery to consume adequate amounts of protein through foods such as lean meats, poultry, fish, legumes, and dairy products.
  • This makes you less hungry for food, so there’s a higher chance you’ll skip meals or choose foods that are low in nutrients.
  • Good sources of folic acid include green leafy vegetables, chickpeas and fortified cereals.

This can start with tingling in the arms and legs and lead to loss of feeling. In some patients the effect will stop once the vitamin B6 is stopped. Around half of UK adults currently take a food supplement – but vitamins and minerals are usually only needed in small amounts and too much of a good thing can be bad for you. Participating in mindfulness therapies, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) has reduced pain and improved the quality of life for people with different kinds of pain. Notably, mindfulness produced long-term pain relief, whereas the benefits of CBT were less apparent after treatment had ended. Participating in a mix of aerobic and higher-intensity exercise may particularly benefit those with diabetic neuropathy.

More in Healthy Living

Some foods like fortified cereal contain vitamin D but it is mostly made in the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin A aids the immune system in fighting off infections, helps you see better in the dark and is needed for healthy skin. Most people can get enough vitamin A from eating dairy, oily fish and liver. Yellow and red vegetables such as carrots and peppers, contain beta-carotene, which breaks down into vitamin A in the body. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 700 micrograms and 600 micrograms for men and women respectively. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting CoQ10 to figure out your proper dosage.

vitamins for alcoholics

Recommended Dose of L-Lysine

These deficiencies can have serious health consequences and contribute to the overall decline in physical and mental health observed in alcohol-dependent individuals. Consuming sufficient levels of protein can help alleviate common withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and fatigue, facilitating a smoother transition to sobriety. A steady intake of protein helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, which can be erratic after prolonged alcohol use.

  • Mixing alcohol and supplements does not cause direct interactions but can lead to significant vitamin deficiencies.
  • During the withdrawal process, alcohol cravings and irregular appetite may occur.
  • This occurs as both substances use similar pathways in the body to metabolize them.
  • It has long been used as a traditional remedy for a variety of illnesses, including liver damage.

However, people who misuse alcohol may eat less food and commonly have deficiencies in zinc, magnesium, selenium, protein, and certain vitamins. Early in recovery, your body will need to readjust to the feeling of hunger. That’s why it’s important to eat three meals a day plus snacks as your body heals. If you don’t feel hungry, think about taking nutritional supplements. Without it, you can have strong cravings, mood swings, and hostile behavior. We get amino acids from protein in foods like meat, dairy products, and nuts, along with some grains and beans.

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