How Does Alcohol Deplete The Body Of B and C Vitamins?

July 30, 2020  |   Posted In General

When a person tries to recover from alcoholism, the body undergoes some major changes from within. Alcoholics experience deficiencies in key vitamins, and due to the lack of these vitamins, they often notice irritating symptoms as they continue to drink actively. These symptoms include inflammation of the skin, lethargy, dehydration, depression, and memory loss. Without the proper vitamins, pain and sickness can also occur in more severe instances for longer.

Why Does Drinking Make You Vitamin Deficient?

Many alcoholics tend to replace some of the calories they get from food with calories they get from drinking. Calories are considered good for the body, but the ones that come from alcohol as well as junk food are known as empty calories. These calories contain minimal nutritional value. They can also prevent the body from absorbing important nutrients from other foods.

Your local sober living San Jose facilities often compare alcohol to sugar. Once consumed, there is a temporary boost in energy, but then a large drop in energy from decreasing levels of blood glucose. When this happens, your body feels the need to consume more alcohol and grows a dependency to it. They also might turn to an intake in sugar for short-term energy, such as in junk foods.

For alcoholics to be able to overcome the urges of both alcohol and sugar, they will need to replenish their bodies with foods that are high sources of vitamins and nutrients. With vitamins, the body will experience more productive boosts of energy with no drops in blood glucose or cravings for alcohol or sugar. Among these helpful vitamins are B vitamins and vitamin c.

B Vitamins

B vitamins, especially Vitamins B1, B3, and B5, are contributors in converting sugar into energy. Vitamins B6 and B12 are also B vitamins to consider, as they too are depleted from the body from frequent drinking. These vitamins help the body create blood cells and promote health inside the nervous system.

• Vitamin B1 can be found in cereal, nuts, and pork.
• Vitamin B3 can be found in cereal, seafood, and pork.
• Vitamin B5 can be found in whole grains, eggs, milk, and liver.
• Vitamin B6 can be found in nuts, bananas, and avocados.
• Vitamin B12 can be exclusively found in dairy products.

Vitamin C

There are no other types of C vitamins; there is only one, which is simply known as vitamin C. Vitamin C promotes health in the teeth, skin, bones, and blood vessels. When the body is depleted of vitamin C, one may experience irritability, weakness, and fatigue in the muscles. Vitamin C is strongly found in orange juice, with more vitamin C being present if the oranges used to make the juice were first frozen. Broccoli and cantaloupe are also foods that contain vitamin C.

Nutrients are also an important part in recovering from alcohol. Many nutrients are needed to keep the body healthy and strong, and help reduce the risk of cancer and diabetes. These nutrients include the following:

• Calcium
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Zinc

As you can see, a proper recovery process does not simply involve removing alcohol from a person’s diet, but also adding healthy foods that are high in vitamins and nutrients that may have otherwise been lost from heavy drinking. A proper diet is necessary for the best chance at recovery and to prevent relapse.

Summary

While drinking, a person loses key vitamins and minerals that give them energy and a healthy body. For the body to improve, not only should drinking stop, but an intake of B and C vitamins must also take place.