Up to 80% of people with an addiction to alcohol develop
Deficiencies of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc are common in alcoholics, although alcohol itself does not seem to affect the absorption of these minerals (15).
Alcohol intake is also associated with low serum magnesium, selenium and zinc levels. Water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, B9 and C, and fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A, D, E and K have also been reported to be deficient in alcoholics.
Not only is alcohol devoid of proteins, minerals, and vitamins, it actually inhibits the absorption and usage of vital nutrients such as thiamin (vitamin B1), vitamin B12, folic acid, and zinc. Thiamin (vitamin B1) is involved in the metabolism of proteins and fat and the formation of hemoglobin.
Being severely deficient in B1 for a prolonged period of time carries very real risks to a person's health. In particular, it can interfere with the healthy function of the heart, circulatory system, nervous system and brain. In more severe cases of alcoholism, alcohol-related brain damage can occur.
Cobalamin, or vitamin B12, is a critical part of a safe and effective alcohol withdrawal regimen. Cobalamin is a coenzyme molecule important in the many biochemical reactions required for the production of DNA, RNA, neurotransmitters, neuron cell myelin, and cell division.
Chronic alcohol consumption can cause thiamine deficiency and thus reduced enzyme activity through several mechanisms, including inadequate dietary intake, malabsorption of thiamine from the gastrointestinal tract, and impaired utilization of thiamine in the cells.
Include 250mg Vitamin C, 150mg magnesium, 1500mg calcium and 500 mg niacin from dietary sources each day. A good multivitamin/mineral supplement (like Centrum) is also recommended. Omega 3 fatty acids can help to minimize symptoms.
Vitamin B protects the liver from damage as a result of excess alcohol consumption and can help stabilise mood swings and cognitive function. Evidence suggests[21] that strong Vitamin B compound should be prescribed to alcoholics where: There is clear evidence of deficiency, poor diet or absorption; or.
BACKED BY SCIENTIFIC & MEDICAL RESEARCH: Vitamin B6, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Vitamin B12 and Pantothenic Acid promote enzymes that power alcohol metabolism.
Some alcoholics exhibit vitamin deficiencies, presumably because of poor dietary habits as well as from alcohol-induced changes in the digestive tract that impair the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream. Two dietary factors of particular importance in AW are folic acid and thiamine.
Alcohol intake leads to various electrolyte and mineral disturbances, and one of the most common disturbances is hypomagnesemia (Elisaf et al., 1995). With heavy alcohol intake, there can be a loss of magnesium from tissues and increased urinary loss (Pasqualetti et al., 1987; Shane and Flink, 1991).
Chronic alcohol use can cause the malabsorption of Vitamin B12. Shortness of breath, and low energy may be symptoms of Pernicious Anemia. This disorder may need to be treated with an injection of Cyanocobalamine. A physician can easily determine this with blood tests.
It has long been known that excessive alcohol consumption has a negative impact on vitamin D status. Chronic alcoholism results in disturbed vitamin D metabolism and chronic alcoholics usually have low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] [1,2].
Axis I disorders commonly associated with alcoholism include bipolar disorder, certain anxiety disorders (e.g., social phobia, panic disorder, and post–traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]), schizophrenia, and major depression (Helzer and Przybeck 1988; Kessler et al. 1997).
Alcoholic consumption lowers vitamin D levels in the body. Lower D levels can effect serotonin production. Low levels of serotonin can cause depression.
Long-term drinking lowers vitamin A levels in the liver, which is the main site of alcohol breakdown and vitamin A storage, while raising vitamin A levels in many other tissues.
Features of vitamin C deficiency such as malaise, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, a propensity towards bleeding and jaundice could be easily masked and attributed to coexisting liver disease. Symptoms and complications of alcoholic liver disease could also be worsened by untreated vitamin C deficiency.
Vitamin B deficiency has also been linked to a poor response to antidepressant medication…… to make matters worth for alcoholics suffering with depression. Evidence suggests that people with depression do better in treatment with higher levels of vitamin B12 in their system.
However, clinical symptoms of chronic alcohol consumption are also decreased levels of phosphate, magnesium, potassium, sodium and calcium, and other elements in blood plasma [8,9,10].
Thiamine deficiency (vitamin B1) is common in patients with alcohol dependence. Cognitive impairments may be an early consequence of thiamine deficiency. Wernicke's encephalopathy is underdiagnosed and undertreated.
The eight B vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folate), and B12 (cobalamin) form a group of chemically very heterogeneous essential substances, which have a wide variety of functions in the human body.1, 2, 3 Even though they are biochemically ...
Unfortunately, even with the addition of supplements, heavy alcohol use can deplete the body's thiamine to dangerous levels. Thiamine deficiency can cause several serious conditions and even lead to death if left untreated.