1. Alcohol abuse refers to the frequently risky overuse of alcohol. People who abuse alcohol generally tend to have issues with binge drinking (consuming six or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting), in addition to carrying out risk -taking behavior together with drinking and driving.
2. Alcohol dependence is even greater critical: People who are depending on alcohol lack the capability to voluntarily cut down or stop drinking. They develop a physical tolerance, so that they require increasingly more massive amounts to emerge as intoxicated. In addition they develop withdrawal symptoms, including rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and even seizures, when they drink less or stop drinking.
(Here are some natural home remedies for quitting Alcoholism)
Alcohol is safe in moderation -- generally defined as one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. People who exceed these amounts or abuse alcohol daily frequently develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies considering alcohol interferes with the body's ability to absorb nutrients.
Alcohol is safe in moderation -- generally defined as one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. People who exceed these amounts or abuse alcohol daily frequently develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies considering alcohol interferes with the body's ability to absorb nutrients.
There are different deficiencies of vitamins and minerals that the alcoholics undergo from and as a consequence, it is very essential to provide them an average dose of those foods which have rich contents of vitamins and minerals. Regular use of vitamin and mineral rich foods stops the craving for alcohol. Following are some of the essential Vitamins and Minerals to treat alcoholism in a better way.
ESSENTIAL VITAMINS TO CURE ALCOHOLISM
Vitamin C
Drinking depletes several vitamins and minerals in your body, particularly vitamin C. This is one vitamin that is extremely needed by people who are addicted to alcohol because it burns the fats accumulated in the body of an alcoholic and also limits the growth of a fatty liver.
The capability of the body to absorb iron is maximized by the intake of vitamin C. Apart from this vitamin C also helps in the protection of the cells from getting damaged and promoting the process of healing the body by avoiding alcohol.
Vitamin C also 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.
Vitamin C is very important for people who are prone to the consumption of alcohol because it can help in avoiding the tendencies of scurvy that causes anemia, bruising and weakness.
The entire body, but particularly the brain, requires high levels of vitamin C. This nutrient helps mediate the activity of the opiate receptors in the brain, which helps reduce an individual’s interest in drugs and alcohol.
Natural Sources of Vitamin C
Fruits that are pack with vitamin C are: Cantaloupe, Plums, Black Currant, Kiwi, Orange, Melon, Banana, Avocado, Guava, Strawberries, Papaya, all kinds of Berries, and Citrus Fruits. And vegetables are Tomatoes, Potatoes, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, Red and Green Bell Peppers, Cabbage, and Spinach. Sweet Red peppers have more than three times the vitamin C of Orange juice.
Vitamin A
Deficiency of vitamin A is common in people with alcoholism. Vitamin A is important for vision and nervous system health. The good health of the nervous system is very important for a person and it is generally found in an alcoholic person that he destroys his nervous system by maximum intake of alcohol. Therefore, vitamin A should be given to such people in order to keep the nervous system working.
Apart from this vitamin A also helps in the growth of bones, improvises the functioning of the cells and also helps in reproduction. The immune system of an alcoholic is also destroyed due to the stress that he carries and also this can be eradicated with sufficient intake of vitamin A in the diet.
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.
Vitamin A should not be taken along with alcohol because it can cause potential damage to the liver. Alcoholics who take vitamin A should completely stop taking alcohol because the combination can turn out to be toxic.
Pro-vitamin A is found in plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables. The most common type of pro-vitamin A is beta-carotene, which are converted to retinol by the body after the food is ingested. Bright yellow and orange fruits such as Cantaloupe, Pink Grapefruit, peaches, papaya mangoes and Apricots, Vegetables such as Carrots, Pumpkin, Sweet potatoes, Turnip greens, Beetroot Red pepper and Winter squash. Other sources of beta-carotene include most dark green leafy vegetables like Broccoli, Collard greens, Kale, Cilantro, lettuce, Swiss chard and Spinach are just a few of them.
Natural Sources of Vitamin A
There two different types of vitamin A, depending on the type of food source it comes from:
Preformed Vitamin A comes from animal sources, such as eggs, meat, fortified milk, cheese, cream, liver, kidney, cod liver oil, and halibut fish oil. However, all of these sources -- except for skim milk that has been fortified with Vitamin A -- are high in saturated fat and cholesterol.Pro-vitamin A is found in plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables. The most common type of pro-vitamin A is beta-carotene, which are converted to retinol by the body after the food is ingested. Bright yellow and orange fruits such as Cantaloupe, Pink Grapefruit, peaches, papaya mangoes and Apricots, Vegetables such as Carrots, Pumpkin, Sweet potatoes, Turnip greens, Beetroot Red pepper and Winter squash. Other sources of beta-carotene include most dark green leafy vegetables like Broccoli, Collard greens, Kale, Cilantro, lettuce, Swiss chard and Spinach are just a few of them.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is also considered as one of the most effective vitamins to treat alcoholism because of the fact that vitamin D helps in absorbing the calcium that remains in the bones of the people.
Chronic alcoholism has been found to disturb vitamin D metabolism, resulting in inadequate absorption of dietary calcium and a loss in bone mass and density. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with softening of the bones.
Vitamin D promotes the health of several organs, including the heart, and is essential in maintaining bone tissue. However, this particular deficiency isn’t caused by problems with eating or digestion, as this essential vitamin is created by skin cells during sun exposure. The vitamin D that’s produced by skin cells isn’t in a form that the body can use—it has to be processed in the liver and kidneys before the body can make use of it. But when someone drinks excessive amounts of alcohol, these organs, particularly the liver, are already overloaded by the alcohol they must metabolize and excrete. As a result, the ability of the liver and kidneys to metabolize vitamin D is severely impaired, and a deficiency develops, with consequences that can include fatigue, muscle pain and wasting, and loss of bone density, with osteoporosis an eventual risk.
The physical effects of alcoholism can be treated very easily with the help of the inclusion of vitamin D rich food in the diet of an alcoholic. Such foods include milk, cereal, salmon, egg and orange juice that can work wonders in alcoholism cases.
Natural Sources of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is not available in as many foods as other antioxidant vitamins. You can get vitamin D from two natural sources: through the skin, and from the diet. Natural sources include saltwater and fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines and fish liver oil. Other sources are shrimps, liver, egg yolks, cheese, soy and rice beverages, fortified orange juice, margarine and milk with vitamin D.
Vitamin D is sometimes called the sunshine vitamin because your body produces a critical form of vitamin D -- vitamin D3 -- when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun stimulates production of vitamin D in human skin, and just a few minutes (15 minutes a day is generally enough) of exposure to sunlight each day (without sunscreen) will insure your body is producing adequate amounts of vitamin D.
Vitamin E
People who abuse alcohol are often deficient in vitamin E. Its deficiency leads to nerve problems. Vitamin E is considered to be the most important for people suffering from alcoholism and the reason behind is that it enhances energy into the body of a person and helps him in getting rid of the weakness and the lethargic feeling that he undergoes.
Natural Sources of Vitamin E
Food sources of vitamin E, which may keep you healthy, include Sunflower seeds, Almonds, Hazelnuts, Peanuts and other raw nuts and seeds are excellent sources of natural vitamin E. Other good sources are Cold-pressed vegetable oils (soybean, corn, cottonseed, safflower), liver; egg yolks ,wheat germ oil, whole-grain products, dried beans, legumes, corn and asparagus, Leafy green vegetables Swiss chard, cooked spinach and other dark leafy greens Swiss Chard, Turnip Greens, Sweet potatoes, Avocados, papaya, peaches, prunes, tomatoes, cabbage, asparagus Bell Peppers, , Dried Apricots and Blueberries.
Vitamin B-complex
B vitamins are essential in breaking addictions to both alcohol and drugs. B-complex vitamin can help restore normal liver function and ease alcohol cravings. Research suggests that alcoholic cravings are due to a deficiency in B vitamins and that supplements may lessen the desire to drink.
The B vitamins are used to soothe your nerves and boost your energy. Memory Loss & Insomnia Problems with short term memory? Alcohol is probably responsible. Alcohol blocks the absorption of B vitamins especially thiamin, causing memory loss, central-nervous system damage, and poor concentration. Vitamin B-6 is responsible for our dream sleep, as well as vitamin C.
B-complex vitamins are of special importance, they are incredibly necessary for optimal mental well-being and functioning. Deficiencies in the body of these vitamins are often due to a poor diet and can interfere with the mental health of a person over time, causing depression, agitation, anxiety, and mental lethargy; in extreme cases leads to psychosis and dementia.
Natural Sources of Vitamin B Complex
Vitamin B complex can be found in many food groups which include green and leafy vegetables, dairy products, fresh fruits, and certain meats. Therefore, foods containing Vitamin B complex are brewer’s yeast, milk, whole grain cereals, liver, eggs, nuts, poultry, fish and yogurt, bananas, potatoes, beans, lentils, and chili peppers to name a few.
ESSENTIAL MINERALS TO CURE ALCOHOLISM
Zinc
The number one mineral depleted with alcohol is zinc. This leads to apathy, lethargy, lack of appetite and copper dysregulation. Alcohol can cause a zinc deficiency by decreasing how well this mineral is absorbed, but also by inhibiting the absorption of other nutrients that zinc depends on for its function. Zinc is an essential mineral that has a calming effect on the nervous system. Zinc also protects the brain cells against the potential damage caused by free radicals. Normal levels of zinc are needed for optimal growth during childhood and for normal taste and smell.
Natural Sources of Zinc
Best food sources of zinc include oysters, Dungeness crab, and other seafood, red meat like beef, poultry as turkey, eggs, but vegetarians can get zinc from asparagus, soy beans, grains, black-eyed peas, wheat germ, fortified cereals, nuts, almonds, peanuts, chickpeas, soy foods tofu, chocolate and dairy products.
Calcium
Calcium is needed for blood vessel and muscle contraction and expansion, for the secretion of hormones and enzymes, and for transmission of messages through the nervous system. Alcohol consumption can cause a loss of calcium in the body by increasing urinary calcium excretion. Calcium deficiency can also lead to osteoporosis.
Alcohol has been found to affect the amount of calcium in the body. In the long term, this can lead to osteoporosis and other health conditions. Calcium is important for many body functions including vascular contraction and vasodilation, muscle function, nerve transmission, intracellular signaling and hormonal secretion along with bone strength.
Natural Sources of Calcium
Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt – low-fat ones are best, and it doesn't matter if they come from cows or other animals, for example goats, skimmed and semi-skimmed milk contains more calcium than full-fat milk. Fortified products such as cereals, oats, orange juice, tofu and soya milk. Fish with the bones such as tinned sardines and salmon, Calcium also found in some nuts, seeds and dried fruits. Calcium is present in leafy green vegetables watercress, beans and chickpeas, some dark green leafy vegetables especially spinach, rhubarb, turnip and mustard greens, kale, Chinese cabbage, and broccoli.
Coral Calcium: Coral calcium is a natural source of Calcium obtained from sea corals. Coral calcium helps to increase bone mass and thereby helping your bones to strong and healthy.
Iron
Iron is an essential trace mineral that is found in all cells of the body. Iron needed to transport oxygen to all parts of the body via the red blood cells and for making amino acids, collagen.
Alcohol can cause an iron deficiency due to gastrointestinal bleeding. Iron is important for the function of red blood cells, and consequently a deficiency may additionally bring about anemia.
Natural Sources of Iron
The iron that your body absorbs the best and is found in high amounts in red meat, In moderate amounts in prunes, apricots, blackstrap molasses, nutritional yeast, and wheat germ, Oily fish, for example sardines, Pulses, for example lentils and haricot beans, Dark green vegetables, spinach, kale and watercress. Leafy green vegetables, Squash, Nuts, shellfish, Eggs, poultry, soy foods, Tofu, whole grains, beans, turkey, egg yolks, clams, mussels, oysters, Shrimp fortified bread, Dark Chocolate and grain products are packed with Iron.
Chromium
Chromium, deficient in 90% of all healthy people, is almost certainly wanting in the alcoholic's diet. Trace mineral Chromium is a blood sugar stabilizer and is usually deficient in alcoholics. Chromium improves your body's sensitivity to insulin, so you can do more with less of it.
Remember that alcoholics consume huge amounts of simple carbohydrates. The last thing an alcoholic's body needs would be insulin-resistant cells. Chromium greatly reduces carbohydrate mis-metabolism, and greatly helps control blood sugar levels. Many, if not most, alcoholics are hypoglycemic.
Natural Sources Chromium
Magnesium
Magnesium is important mineral for blood circulation and the health of your nervous system; it is believed that the stress of alcoholism can deplete magnesium from the body. It calms the nerves and helps ease stress related withdrawal symptoms. Many alcoholics are deficient in Magnesium; symptoms of deficiency include confusion, apathy, loss of appetite, weakness, insomnia, vomiting, diarrhea and increased urinary excretion.
Natural Sources Magnesium
Leafy green vegetables such as spinach and broccoli, almonds, Brazil nuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds and other seeds, halibut, shrimp, whole-wheat bread, milk, Whole grain products, lima beans, black-eyed peas, soybeans, legumes, avocados, bananas, and kiwifruit.
No comments:
Post a Comment
please do not enter any spam link in the comment