Ethanol metabolism produces an alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, or cirrhosis [13,14]. The major pathway of ethanol metabolism is the oxidative pathway that involves alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) present in the cytosol of hepatocytes [15]. This ADH produces acetaldehyde, which is toxic due to its high reactivity and may form DNA or protein adducts [16,17]. Some of the alcohol that is ingested orally does not enter the systemic circulation but may be oxidized in the stomach by ADH and their isoforms. Since the Km of most ADH isozymes for ethanol is low (about 1 mM), ADH is saturated at low concentrations of alcohol, and the MEOS system is activated [18].
Prolonged alcohol use can also cause a severe deficiency in thiamine, a nutrient vital to brain health; this deficiency can lead to permanent brain damage. As you Nutrition Guide For Addiction Recovery can see, vitamins and minerals are your friends as you recover from your addiction. They can invigorate your mind and help you tackle each day with more tenacity.
Diet for Alcohol Recovery
Making good dietary choices as you recover from alcohol addiction will help you be well-equipped to succeed in your recovery journey. My own bio-repair process involved a three-month intensive period of supplementation, nutrients from A to Z in therapeutic doses recommended by the doctors whose work I’ve studied. Immediately, I noticed changes in sleep, mood, skin, digestion, energy, and cravings–a complete release from the slog of recovery I have maintained to this day. This is the same program I use with my clients, who report the same results.
Vitamin A is important for vision and nervous system health and vitamin C helps maintain your immune system. During alcohol withdrawal, your immune system health is compromised due to added stress, which hinders normal nervous system functions. The University of Michigan Health System suggests supplementing vitamin C to rid the body of excess alcohol during the initial withdrawal. The upper limit for daily vitamin https://en.forexdata.info/mash-certification/ C is 2,000 mg, however, medically supervised dose increase is advised before taking vitamin C exceeding the daily recommendation of 90 mg. Vitamin A, or beta-carotene supplements help to correct deficiencies during withdrawal, but due to potential liver damage from alcoholism, should only be taken under physician supervision. These minerals, vitamins, and supplements are the ones we recommend focusing on first.
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People who abuse alcohol typically do not pay attention to nutrition. Even those who were formerly healthy tend to let their good eating habits go as they become more consumed with the need to find and drink alcohol. This creates a two-fold nutritional problem because even if someone does manage to eat healthfully and get all their nutrients, alcohol prevents them from being fully absorbed. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) encompasses the symptoms an individual with alcohol use disorder experiences if they stop drinking suddenly, or reduce their alcohol intake significantly. In addition to supplements for alcohol cravings, there are several prescription medications that can help you cut back or quit drinking.
During alcohol addiction treatment, it’s important that you eat a balanced, healthy diet. Many treatment facilities employ nutritional counselors, who can create a nutrition plan for you to ensure you are replacing all of your depleted vitamins and minerals. If you don’t have access to a nutrition counselor, there are specific foods you can eat to replenish your vitamin levels. For the average person who is eating a well-balanced, healthy diet, supplements of vitamins B and C are often unnecessary. However, alcohol abusers will find that a holistic approach to recovery that integrates a nourishing diet and this type of vitamin supplementation helps them through the process.
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I’m a certified nutrition counselor, science-based health coach, and addiction survivor. I help people in recovery heal their bodies and minds so they can learn to love sober life—not just survive it. 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.
