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Read Dr. Elena Krasnov's Weekly Column in the Health & Fitness section of the 24 Hours Magazine. Look for new articles every week!

Monday, June 22, 2009

The Importance Vitamins and Minerals during Alcohol Detox

Q: Dear Elena: My brother is an alcoholic trying to get clean are the ways to help him through the detox process naturally?

A: Even though alcohol is in such general use worldwide, the regular consumption of alcoholic beverages is a serious health hazard and definitely a nutritional problem.

Alcohol abuse can lead to addiction, emotional problems, and a number of specific degenerative processes. Obesity, gastritis and ulcers, pancreatitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, hypoglycemia and diabetes, gout, nerve and brain dysfunction, cancer, nutritional deficiencies, immune suppression to name a few. Overall, alcohol is a toxic irritant for the human being. Alcohol is the greatest anti-nutrient depleting vitamins: A, B1, B2, Folic Acid, B12, C, D, E. Minerals: Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc, Selenium. Amino Acid: Tryptophan, Taurine, Glutathione, EFA's: Omega 3,6 & blood sugar control.

The body's reaction to the removal of a substance it has become dependent on is called withdrawal. Withdrawal causes craving for more of the substance being removed.

Diet and megavitamin therapy may be helpful during withdrawal, detoxification, and recovery from alcoholism. Alcoholics while drinking generally need more supplements than most other people. During the detox time, they may need even more. This extra support will give a greater chance of recovery than just having psychotherapy.

Water, diluted fruit and vegetable juices, warm broths and soups, and teas using herbs, such as chamomile, skullcap or valerian root all will serve the needs. Some other herbs that may be helpful during withdrawal are white willow bark to reduce pain and inflammation, ginseng, cayenne, and peppermint. Small amounts of light proteins, such as nonfatty poultry, fish, or even chicken soup, will provide more nourishment. Amino acid powder can also be supportive. Up to 2-3 grams of L-tryptophan can be taken for sleep. L-glutamine, another amino acid, has been shown to reduce cravings for alcohol and sugar. I often suggest intravenous vitamins, they can be very helpful during withdrawal. Extra Niacin, vitamins C & B and a few minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, are the usual ones used, especially if supplements taken by mouth are not well tolerated. Vitamin C powder buffered with those same minerals, taken orally mixed in a liquid, such as water or juice, may be helpful. This particular formula is also useful during the detox period.

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Dr. Elena Krasnov is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and Clinic Director of the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic. Submit your questions online at 24hrs.ca

Co-written by Miranda Tallon-Malisani Holistic Nutritionist