White Bison is a Colorado-based recovery, sobriety, addiction prevention, and wellness learning resource for Native American people. The community is geared towards anyone in recovery who has Native ancestry. Despite my Native roots going super far back, predominantly Native people in recovery encouraged me to attend some White Bison meetings. The vitamins for recovering alcoholics founders, who were two white men, created a rule where there are certain subjects that shouldn’t be discussed in AA meetings. Every meeting has its own rules [group conscience] which means a meeting host or co-host can silence someone if they talk about things like racism. That’s why I’ve started to explore recovery spaces that are more inclusive.
- A diet rich in proteins, healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals is recommended to facilitate tissue repair and support the immune system.
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- If you’re working on reducing your drinking, milk thistle can be one way to protect your liver from the damaging effects of alcohol.
Thiamine Deficiency and Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
- Alcohol use disorder affects about 7.2% of people older than 12 years old, including 6.9% of males and 7.8% of females [8].
- Combined with poor nutrition, this may increase your risk of alcohol-induced injury to your liver, intestines, lungs, and brain.
- As a Black woman she recognized the need for more inclusive recovery spaces.
- In addition, folate deficiencies can cause anemia, wherein the body lacks red blood cells for carrying oxygen to the tissues3.
- It can replenish depleted nutrients, aid in liver repair, and improve cognitive function, which is often compromised due to the neurotoxic effects of alcohol.
NAC is included in Optimal Antiox, along with a number of other antioxidants and nutients that can help you overcome addiction and manage withdrawal. Oxidative stress can change neuronal pathways and cause addictive behaviour. But glutathione can reduce oxidative stress and therefore decrease the development of addiction (46). Chronic use of drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine and alcohol, can lead to the formation of oxidative stress (47). Researchers have also studied the relapse rates of cocaine addicts discharged after a period of detoxification.
FACT: An alcohol-based handrub is listed as a WHO essential medicine
- Also, when I went to White Bison, I didn’t receive inappropriate comments about my hair, skin color, race, or sexual orientation.
- Alcohol interferes with nutrient absorption, damages the gastrointestinal tract, and impairs the liver’s ability to metabolize nutrients.
- The elevated levels of CYP2E1 seen in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid or liver samples of people with alcohol use disorder are likely due to this [80,92].
- Individuals with alcohol use disorder may experience deficiencies in vitamins such as vitamin B.
- Some formulas are acid-based and used to exfoliate and resurface the skin, while others are hydrating and aim to lock in moisture, explains Dr. Jaliman.
Clinicians/therapists who focus on AUD provide support in addressing compulsive behavior, addiction, and corresponding mental health/physical conditions. Doctors who help with AUD are medical, psychiatric, or neurological doctors. They are board-certified in addiction medicine and addiction psychiatry for mental health care.
The Important Role of Nutrition in Recovery
An amino acid, L-Glutamine helps reduce overall cravings by playing a proactive role in regulating the brain’s neurotransmitters. Researchers have found that Omega-3 fatty acids protect the brain against inflammation and cellular death linked to chronic AUD. Preservation of brain integrity might contribute to the link between brain health and homeostasis. Unbeknownst to many people, treatment during detox and/or rehab often entails vitamin/mineral infusions. Your body needs these depleted nutrients to function, detox, and heal properly.
- Once the problem has been recognized, alcoholism is best addressed initially by total abstinence from alcohol, followed by assessment, treatment and resolution of the underlying triggers for seeking alcohol.
- As a result, a SAM shortage boosts 5-Methyl THF production while lowering 5,10-Methyl THF and GSH production.
- Consult your doctor about drinking and any medications or supplements you are currently taking.
- If you’re currently dealing with AUD, it’s recommended that you talk with a healthcare professional about getting help.
- These nutrients help protect liver cells, promote detoxification, and restore normal liver metabolism.
- Zinc may also help reset some of the glutamate brain pathways that are overly active during alcohol withdrawal, thus possibly helping alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Alcohol Use Disorder: Nutrition During Recovery
