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Alcoholism
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| Supplement Recommendations for Alcoholism From Jennifer Bursfeld, M.D., M.Ac. : Most problem drinkers eat badly, getting their calories from alcohol rather than food. This means they are frequently lacking vitamins and protein. Serious deficiencies are usually with the B-vitamin family, vitamin C, and protein in general. In addition, all alcohol requires detoxification by the liver. When the amount is excessive, the liver gets overwhelmed and can actually become inflamed (alcohol hepatitis) and scarred (cirrhosis). The vitamins, herbs, and other supplements on our list have four separate roles: Acute withdrawal. Anyone who is trying to end their chronic excessive use of alcohol should always (always!) be under the care of a physician. Withdrawal seizures and delirium tremens can be fatal and must be managed in a hospital setting. Long-term recovery. After a person has stopped drinking and is medically stable, the supplements can all be taken together during recovery--a period that can last for weeks or even months. Except for sedative herbs, such as kava or valerian, these supplements are also safe to use with any of the tranquilizing drugs prescribed to help a recovering drinker cope with withdrawal symptoms. If you have been prescribed Antabuse, and you are using any liquid herbal therapies, you must make certain these are totally alcohol free. It's very important that you pay attention to your basic nutritional needs by taking a daily high-potency multiple vitamin and an antioxidant combination. How to Take the Supplements Most chronic alcohol users are badly depleted in B-complex vitamins and vitamin C. In particular, the thiamin in the B-complex will help with withdrawal symptoms, and some extra vitamin C can play a role in clearing alcohol from the body tissues. Studies have also shown that extracts from the kudzu vine seem to help lessen the craving for alcohol. To compensate for protein deficiencies, start a good quality soy-based protein powder; dissolve it in fruit or vegetable juice and drink it two, or even three times a day. Just remember, excess protein is actually harmful if you know you have cirrhosis of the liver. To strengthen the liver, begin the herb milk thistle and the amino acid-like substance phosphatidylcholine. In addition, liver damage dramatically lowers levels of glutathione, one of the body's key antioxidants, and taking N-acetylcysteine ( NAC), a precursor to glutathione, will help this situation. Researchers have found that the amino acid glutamine helps reduce anxiety as well as the desire to drink alcohol. The herb kava, a natural and nonsedating tranquilizer, can help combat anxiety, tremulousness, and troubled sleep. Another herb, valerian, is more sedating. Small amounts of valerian can be used throughout the day, increasing the dose at bedtime to help with insomnia. Neither herb should be used with prescription sedatives or tranquilizers. Important: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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