Alcoholism is a chronic condition that occurs as a result of excessive drinking that affects health both physically and psychologically. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause many nutritional deficiencies in the body. In particular, there is a deficiency of vitamin B and zinc. Many alcoholics are therefore malnourished. Ensuring better food intake can reduce both alcohol cravings and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It is recommended that an alcoholic use nutritional supplements. What can a malnourished alcoholic do best to eat as well as possible again?

What alcoholism entails

An alcoholic suffers from a chronic condition in which health is compromised by regular and excessive drinking. It usually starts with drinking alcohol for fun, which gradually increases until the person can no longer live without alcohol. People often drink secretly to hide their drinking from the outside world. Anyone who suffers from this can no longer function properly without alcohol and becomes addicted to it. There is an excessive need to drink alcohol. An alcoholic can sometimes tolerate a lot of alcohol without actually getting drunk. Ultimately, an alcoholic can no longer practice his profession and will have a reduced social life.

The harmful effects

The physical conditions that may arise include: brain damage, nerve damage, liver damage, stomach inflammation, pancreatitis, diabetes, heart disease, trembling (especially visible in the hands) and impotence. Psychological problems may also arise, such as anxiety attacks, depression or aggressive behavior. Alcoholics are more likely to commit suicide. In addition to all the problems that arise within the family and at work, there is also a great risk of financial problems, lack of self-hygiene or having an accident due to, for example, driving under the influence or operating machines. In addition to endangering themselves, someone who drives under the influence can also (fatally) injure someone else.

Less cravings for food

An alcoholic runs a high risk of becoming malnourished because he simply does not consume enough nutrients. Consuming too much alcohol for a long period of time reduces your appetite and creates a risk of malnutrition. Alcoholics regularly skip meals. Most of the calories are taken from the drink. Alcohol is very high in calories. It contains almost as many calories as fat and the excess is stored in the body as fat. Alcohol also slows down the breakdown of fat in food, ultimately causing even more fat to be stored. The calories in alcohol are so-called empty calories, because they do not contain any nutrients that the body needs. Therefore, an alcoholic who is malnourished does not have to look thin.

Nutritional deficiencies in alcoholics

Alcoholics often suffer from multiple nutrient deficiencies. In addition to the reduced food intake, the toxic consequences of alcohol abuse can also be attributed to the nutritional deficiencies that arise. For example, there are deficiencies in vitamins, minerals or proteins. The vitamin deficiencies usually consist of a lack of a number of B vitamins and vitamin A. The mineral deficiencies usually consist of a deficiency of magnesium, selium and zinc. Due to the nutritional deficiencies of vitamin B and zinc, the need to consume alcohol increases.

Therapy

In addition to alcohol withdrawal, a malnourished alcoholic must ensure proper nutrition. For the withdrawal process, the patient will receive medication in the form of sedatives. In addition, psychological complaints will be treated. Improving nutritional status will increase food cravings, reduce alcohol cravings and even reduce withdrawal symptoms. Nutritional supplements such as multivitamins are recommended so that overall health will improve as quickly as possible. Supplementing vitamin B1 is especially important, especially during the withdrawal period.

Good foods

Research on test subjects has shown that eating fast food increases the craving for alcohol. Especially if you also drink a lot of coffee. If a lot of raw vegetables are eaten, the need for alcohol appears to decrease. Eating foods containing amino acids will protect the liver from the harmful effects of alcohol. Amino acids are found in many foods, including meat, dairy, eggs, nuts, fish and nuts. B vitamins are also essential. These are found in whole grain products, vegetables, eggs, legumes, meat and nuts. The most important vitamin is vitamin B12. This is found in: liver, lean meat, chicken, fish, crustaceans, milk and eggs. Eating sugar, fat and refined products should be avoided as much as possible.

Dietician

Long-term alcohol abuse causes nutritional deficiencies that are harmful to the body. In addition to alcohol withdrawal, a good diet supplemented with supplements is important for recovery. By eating a balanced and varied diet with enough fruit and vegetables, not too many saturated fats, the deficiencies will be replenished. For this purpose, you can use food according to the Nutrition Center’s five-disc diet. Long-term alcohol abuse often causes damage to important organs such as the liver. In that case, the patient must be very careful when eating proteins. The sugar level can also be disrupted. It is therefore advisable to seek help from a dietician to follow a correct and appropriate diet.

read more

• Brain damage due to excessive alcohol consumption
• Various causes for alcohol addiction
• How alcohol enters your body and is broken down
• Recognize the behavior of an addict
• Diseases caused by too much alcohol