The water-soluble Vitamin B is a group of eleven vitamins that work together as a team, all these B Vitamins that you get in a complex: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12.
Alcoholism significantly affects your level of B complex that includes
thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin,
biotin and pantothenic acid. Many of your body's vital processes rely on
these vitamins -- collectively referred to as B complex -- to function
effectively.
Effective treatment of detoxification from alcohol requires B-vitamin
supplementation, writes Maura Henninger, a naturopathic physician.
Additionally, the National Institutes of Health reports alcohol
dependence is a major cause of B-vitamin deficiency in the United
States.
Deficiencies of other B-complex vitamins are common with chronic alcohol
use. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that alcoholics have an
increased need for B vitamins. It is possible that successful treatment
of B-complex vitamin deficiencies may actually reduce alcohol cravings,
because animals crave alcohol when fed a B-complex-deficient diet.
Many doctors recommend 100 mg of B-complex vitamins per day.
B vitamins work best when they are taken with other members of the
B-complex and in-turn with other vitamins as a whole. It is recommended
that when supplementing is sure to take a B-complex to get the whole B
spectrum or change to a diet rich in B vitamins. B Vitamins are often
sold separately or in a B-Complex, which combine the vitamins to support
the nervous system and relieve stress, helping mild depression. The
exact dose is very difficult to estimate and only your doctor can give
you qualified advice. So let’s take a better look at how B-complex
vitamins can assist in the improving the nerve function.
VITAMIN B COMPLEX TO TREAT ALCOHOLISM
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.
Due to a deficiency in B vitamins, alcoholics should supplement to
reduce the desire to drink. Because alcohol abuse depletes B vitamins,
consider taking a B-complex supplement, plus extra thiamine (B1). A
high-potency B-complex vitamin can help restore normal liver function
and ease alcohol cravings. High potency means a B-50 complex, which
delivers 50 milligrams (mg) each of vitamins B-1, B-2 and B-3, or a
multivitamin with at least 50 milligrams (mg) each of these vitamins.
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.
Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine)
Alcohol reduces the ability of the body to absorb the vitamin thiamin,
also called vitamin B-1 that helps break down carbohydrates, proteins
and fat in the food you eat. It also aids in production of hemoglobin,
the protein that binds oxygen in red blood cells.
Alcoholics often are deficient in this vitamin because it gets used up
breaking down alcohol, sugars and carbohydrates. Thiamine deficiency is a
very serious disorder that occurs as a consequence of poor nutrition
and a lack of thiamine, or vitamin B1.
A severe deficiency in thiamin leads to a life-threatening brain
disorder called Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome or Wet Brain Syndrome,
characterized by memory loss, confusion and trouble maintaining balance.
If severe, it can even lead to permanent brain damage.
Deficiency of vitamin B1 also triggers depression and irritability and
can cause neurological and cardiac disorders among alcoholics and
therefore it is very important to give them vitamin B1 from time to
time.
Vitamin B1 is essential for brain function and the nervous system, flow
of electrolytes in and out of cells, digestion and carbohydrate
metabolism. During alcohol withdrawal vitamin B1 aids in reducing
fatigue, maintaining mental clarity and decreasing disorientation.
Thaimine is particularly important to supplement, as it helps reduce
fatigue and brain fog. A 2007 paper published in "Prescrire
International" noted that thiamine deficiency is frequent in alcoholics
and can lead to serious complications. Therefore, high doses of thiamine
can be supplemented to compensate for poor absorption.
Natural Sources of Vitamin B-1
Vitamin B1 (thiamin) can be taken in foods such as fortified with
thiamin whole wheat, bran, soybeans, meats, seeds (especially sesame
seeds), legumes, wheat germ, nuts, yeast, and molasses. B1 is also found
in potatoes, seafood, liver, beans, peanuts, oranges, kidney beans,
sunflower seeds, fish, Tuna, lima beans, lentils, pork chops, pine nuts,
green peas and pistachios etc. Eat plenty of vegetables containing B1,
including kale, spinach, turnip greens, lettuce, cabbage, and many other
vegetables.
Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, maintains cell health by processing nutrients
from foods and converting carbohydrates, fats and proteins to usable
energy.
Riboflavin or vitamin B2 aids in the production of energy and at the
same time it also helps in the normal functioning of the cells. A
considerable amount of energy is produced by the body of a person who
takes in vitamin B2 on a regular basis.
The absorption of this vitamin is inhibited by ingestion of alcohol.
Vitamin B2 reduces the severity of headaches and hand tremors associated
with alcohol withdrawal.
In 1982 an article published in the British Journal of Psychiatry
reported that every one of 172 successive patients admitted to a British
psychiatric hospital for treatment for depression was deficient in B2.
Natural Sources of Vitamin B-2
B2 is found in enriched bread, dairy products, milk, yoghurt, cottage
cheese, wholegrain breads and cereals, egg white, almonds, wheat germ,
millet, meat, yeast, liver, kidney and enriched refined grains. It is
also a good idea to eat leafy green vegetables containing this vitamin,
add asparagus, broccoli and spinach to your diet.
Vitamin B-3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B3 is very helpful in bringing about a reduction in the urge of
drinking in alcoholics. This automatically helps them in overcoming the
problem of alcoholism.
Alcohol is often used as a way to cope up with depression witch actually
worsens one’s situation; this is because alcohol destroys all the B
vitamins in a person’s body. Vitamin B3 or niacin metabolizes alcohol
out of your body and regulates part of the stress-related hormones of
the adrenal glands.
Deficiencies of vitamin B3 (Niacin) in particular has been
scientifically linked to alcoholism, it is a water soluble nutrient,
meaning that the body does not store it, needing to be replaced in the
body every day, it’s more important tasks is to facilitates the
processes involved in metabolizing fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
High doses of vitamin B-3, or niacin, are helpful in reducing alcohol
cravings, stabilizing mood and reducing the effects of alcohol toxicity
on the brain. Start with 500 mg three times daily, and work up to 1,000
mg three times daily. Niacin can cause intense facial flushing that
lasts for about one hour. If you take vitamin B-3, have your liver
enzymes monitored. Enzymes can be elevated, an indication of
inflammation.
Natural Sources of Vitamin B-3
Reliable dietary sources of vitamin B3 (niacin) include Anchovies fish,
Tuna fish, Swordfish fish, Bran, Halibut, Roasted chicken breast,
Paprika, whole wheat, seeds, Nuts, dairy products, beans, peanuts,
turkey, wheat bran, brown rice, milk, eggs, lean red meat, liver, fish,
cheese, oats, dried fruit, wholegrain breads and cereals, torula or
brewer's yeast, mushrooms enriched refined grains and all
protein-containing foods.
Vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B5 also known as pantothenate helps to the adrenal function of
the body which is especially important in panic attack sufferers.
Deficiencies of this vitamin are rare, but may lead to symptoms of
fatigue and depression.
Stress As a result of the physical and psychological load that your body
has had to endure, you can be literally "stressed out". Pantothenic
acid has been found to reduce stress and depression. This is
accomplished by the fact that this vital nutrient targets repair for the
adrenal glands that have been working over-time to produce the hormone
epinephrine to combat the insulin fluctuations. Other stress fighters
include glutamine, which rids the body of ammonia that builds up a
result of the protein destruction brought on by stress.
Researchers have found that early in the recovery process, alcoholics
excrete through their urine most of a B vitamin (pantothenic acid) they
took in a supplement form. This was found to occur even when
deficiencies existed of this B vitamin as well as other nutrients.
Natural Sources of Vitamin-5
B5 is widespread and found in almost all range of foods, but some good
sources include Beans, liver, meats, chicken, milk, kidneys, yeast,
peanuts, legumes, nuts, wheat bran, wholegrain bread, and green
vegetables. It is found in Avocado, Broccoli, Mushrooms, Corn, Sunflower
Seeds, Whey Powder, Cheese, Eggs, Squash, and Cauliflower and whole
grain products.
Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine)
Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine is significant in the production of the
chemical serotonin, which induces calm during anxiety or depressive
states and this vitamin helps regulate melatonin levels to induce sleep.
Vitamin B6 is also considered to be one of the most important vitamins
to treat alcoholism because it helps in the production of new cells in
the body and also hampers any kind of problems that can be suffered in
the field of development of the spine and the brain. The sensation in
the hands and the feet, depression, anemia and dementia felt by
alcoholics can be treated very well with the intake of vitamin B6.
Natural Sources of Vitamin B-6
Whole grains, cereal grains and legumes, green and leafy vegetables,
bananas, chicken, beans, meat, beef, fish (Salmon, Cod, and Tuna)
shellfish, liver, pork, Tenderloin, chicken, potatoes, wheat germ,
chickpeas, eggs, avocados, dried fruit, nuts, peanuts, Pistachios, fruit
and molasses are great source of vitamin B6(pyridoxine). High levels
of vitamin B6 also occur in cauliflower, watercress, spinach, okra,
onions, broccoli, squash, kale, kohlrabi, brussels sprouts, peas and
radishes.
Vitamin B-9 (Folic acid)
Folic Acid is generally known as Vitamin B9 is an important nutrient
that is required for building DNA. Folic acid is a derivative of folate.
Folate changes to folic acid when ingested. Vitamin B9, or folate is
important in cellular and brain health. Folate helps produce and
maintain new cells. Alcohol interferes with dietary folate intake,
folate absorption, transport of folate to necessary tissues, and the
storage and release of folate by the liver. Alcohol also inhibits
absorption of folate and other vitamins by killing the cells lining the
stomach and intestines that mediate the absorption of these nutrients.
Natural Sources of Vitamin B 9
Food that are rich in folate include vegetables that are leafy &
dark green in color lettuce, spinach, collards, broccoli, dried beans,
garbanzo beans, lentils, peas, and oranges, Liver, Sunflower Seeds, Dry
Roasted Soybeans, Asparagus, Peanuts, Walnuts, Cress, Brie cheese and
almonds. Some foods, such as orange juice, are fortified with folic
acid.
Vitamin B-12 (Cyanocobalamin)
Studies have shown that both moderate and heavy alcohol consumption will
affect vitamin B12 levels. Alcohol also causes reduced absorption of
vitamin B-12. Vitamin B12 is needed to help make DNA and to maintain
healthy nerve cells and red blood cells.
This vitamin is important for the health of both nerve cells and red
blood cells. Excessive alcohol use can result in a deficiency in this
vitamin that can lead to a nerve disease called peripheral neuropathy.
The symptoms of this disease are tingling sensations and/or pain in the
extremities. An important B-complex vitamin, B12 also helps regulate the
function of the liver. Restoring normal function of the liver can help
ease alcohol cravings.
Natural Sources of Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B12 is only found in animal based foods Eggs, meat, poultry, and
dairy products such as milk, Eggs, yogurt & cheese almost anything
of animal origin. The foods highest in B12 are shellfish (mussels,
lobster), oily fish (trout, salmon, tuna, sardines), Shrimp, Halibut,
Yogurt, Beef, Oysters, Fish Eggs, Lamb, clams and organ meats beef,
chicken, mutton liver. Vegetarians who eat no foods coming from animals
should scrutinize their diets and consider taking supplements to make
sure they are getting enough of this vitamin.
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