Combined with poor nutrition, this may increase your risk of alcohol-induced injury to your liver, intestines, lungs, and brain. Did you know that heavy drinking can lead to big shortages in the nutrients you get? Research shows that drinking a lot over a long time — as in alcohol use disorder — often leads to poor nutrition. Nutritional therapy, a treatment approach that involves nutrition education, changing your diet, and adding supplements, can help balance out this loss. Giving clients the opportunity to practice good eating habits is essential, especially since food addiction can often replace drug addiction.
- The doctor may tell you to take supplements to raise your nutrient levels.
- Some studies also show that chronic alcohol intake can affect the gut and lead to digestive problems.
- Even if you are not suffering from these conditions, taking glycine may help protect your liver if you have a history of heavy drinking.
- A deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine) can be especially harmful, leading to irreversible brain damage if not addressed.
- In many cases, the person may be so focused on drinking that they make poor food choices or do not eat enough.
Other research shows that thorough nutrition education can improve the odds that you’ll still be sober after 3 months. At Gateway Foundation, we understand the importance of nutrition for recovering addicts, and we incorporate it into our many recovery programs and services. Every individual has different nutritional needs that can impact their experience in treatment, which is why we work hard to provide customized treatment plans that address nutrition. 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.
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Proteins also provide a feeling of satiety, preventing overeating and helping maintain a healthy weight, which is often challenging during recovery. Balancing your protein intake with other nutrients is important for a balanced diet during recovery. Zinc is another nutrient that may be lacking in your body as you recover from alcohol addiction.Among TOP 10 BEST Sober Houses in Boston, MA January 2024 other benefits, you need zinc to keep anxiety at manageable levels. Anxiety is a symptom of alcohol withdrawal, so increasing your zinc intake may help ease withdrawal. Moreover, low magnesium decreases muscle movement, and low iron can lead to anemia. People with an alcohol addiction tend to have low levels of vitamins A and E.
This makes a person with alcohol use disorder more likely to have one or more vitamin deficiencies. People with alcohol use disorder are more likely to have a less nutritious diet, which exacerbates vitamin deficiencies. Alcohol tends to affect the absorption of all vitamins, but particularly vitamin B12, which depletes even with moderate alcohol use. Certain vitamins are vital to repairing and building cells required for bodily functions.
Fat and Fatty Acids
Too much alcohol can cause inflammation in your stomach lining and pancreas. It also affects your body’s ability to absorb B vitamins and folic acid. It can trigger irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and other gastrointestinal illnesses, too.
Critical examples include facilitating brain function, improving mood, flushing out toxins and transferring nutrients between cells. Your body is able to synthesize some of the amino acids on its own, but there are several you can only absorb from food. https://trading-market.org/nutrition-guide-for-addiction-recovery/ The body needs varied sources of protein for optimal function. In fact, it is estimated that an alcohol abuser typically gets 50 percent or more of total daily calories from alcohol. Any food calories are typically consumed in the form of junk foods.
