Alcohol addiction can be a difficult condition to break. There’s always the temptation to take one more drink, which can undo all of the hard work that you’ve done. But there are other ways you can help curb those cravings and that’s to take care of your health. Here’s how alcohol abuse impacts your health and how you can improve your nutrition to stay on the road to sobriety.
How Alcohol Abuse Affects Nutrition
Not many people know that one of the alcohol abuse side effects is gastrointestinal issues. First, alcohol slows down appetite, which can lead a person to forget to eat and eventually become malnourished. Secondly, while drinking alcohol, a person tends to eat less nutritious foods, such as those high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat. Thirdly, alcohol stops your liver from releasing glucose into your blood, causing your blood sugar to fall.
Abuse of alcohol can lead to organ damage and digestive problems, since alcohol irritates the lining of the stomach and digestive organs, increasing the risks of ulcers.
Replacing Your B Vitamins
Alcohol can cause damage to your liver and pancreas, which can lead to nutritional imbalances in the body. One of the biggest areas affected is the absorption of B vitamins. A lack of B9 can lead to anemia and make you feel tired and moody. Headaches can also appear and make it difficult for you to focus. Adding more fruits, vegetables, and nuts to your diet can increase your B9 intake.
A lack of B6 can also lead to anemia and depression, as well as a weakened immune system. Adding poultry, fish, and starchy vegetables can improve this.
Lastly, a lack of B1 (also known as thiamin) can affect the brain, leading to serious learning and memory problems. It can even lead to what is known as Wernicke-Korsakoff’s syndrome. Adding peas, beans, brown rice, and lentils can prevent this from occurring.
Fueling The Brain During Recovery
As the brain can be impacted by alcohol abuse, it’s important to prove it with as much nutrition as it needs so that it can start healing. There are certain foods you can add to your diet to help during recovery and to cut back on those cravings.
- Carbohydrates: the brain needs carbs in order to release serotonin, which helps with mood regulation, sleeping patterns, and soothing cravings. Focus on complex carbs to get more added benefits rather than simple carbs that are high in fat.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: these can be found in shellfish and fatty fish, which promote neurotransmitter activity in the brain.
- Amino acids: you can find these in meat, dairy products, and nuts, and help the brain make dopamine, which regulates strong cravings and mood swings.
- Dietary fat: brain cells require a thin layer of fat around them so that they can more easily send signals to each other. Healthy fats can be found in canola, sunflower, and sesame oils
Going cold turkey with alcohol addiction is never recommended, so it’s important that you speak with a professional if you’re looking to overcome your alcohol abuse disorder. It can cause serious damage to your health and could increase your risk of a relapse. Call your primary healthcare physician today.
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