Alcoholism

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a chronic condition where a person becomes psychologically and physically dependent on alcohol. The affected person is unable to face life without the aid of an alcohol induced euphoria.

The substance becomes a crutch on which the person is dependant, and therefore alcoholism as such is considered a debilitating condition since the dependence can often be very intense and life altering.

It is similar to diseases like diabetes or hypertension in the way it affects human health, and many consider it to be so, as the long-term effects on health are often very serious.

An excessive consumption of alcohol can alter the normal functioning of vital organs such as that of the pancreas, the liver, the intestines, and the brain.

Even though in small amounts it is often said to be good for cardiac function, it is debatable point as it is difficult to say, what would constitute a moderate amount.

Alcohol itself is full of empty calories and has no nutritional benefits and contributes to poor health, physical deterioration is often the first and usual manifestation of alcoholism.

The very act of drinking or consumption of alcohol can act as an icebreaker in social situation as people, who drink usually feel talkative and become much more convivial and sociable, in that it relaxes people and thus can act as a stimulant.

The exact reasons behind the addiction of some people to alcohol is unknown, and there are very many scientific reasons why this could be so.

The mystery may be that it is largely psychological, and there are more mental factors behind alcoholism and dependence.

Scientifically looking at alcoholism, it does seem to have a genetic basis and could be hereditary in that children of alcoholics are known to be a lot more prone to be alcoholics themselves late in life.

This seems to be true, even when they are raised in households that are alcohol free, and therefore it is believed that genetic and psychological reasons are the best bet on why people become alcoholics.

Supplements and herbs
Supplements are recommended for alcoholics in cases where it's use is necessary for minimizing the desire for alcohol that a recently reformed drinker may feel.

Multi supplements can be used together and they will play their role as effective substances particularly in cases where an alcoholic has to be weaned away from the substance.

These supplements will also help the person in an indirect way-while he is recovering-by boosting his immune system and this is very important as recovery periods for severe addictions to alcohol may range in periods from weeks to months.

During this recovery period, all alcoholics feel intense and painful withdrawal symptoms and along and thus prescription medication from a qualified medical practitioner are recommended along with the supplements for a full and safe recovery.

Nutrient deficiency is a very common health problem among almost all alcoholics, as diets are usually poor with heavy drinkers.

These deficiencies range from low levels of the B complex vitamins, to low levels of vitamin C, and most essential amino acids -this is because protein is usually lacking in the very poor diet of drinkers.

The desire to eat may be hampered in many alcoholics and there are of course other reasons such as the toxic effects of alcohol- that can be blamed for contributing to the absence of a healthy and balanced diet.

Restoring the balance and supply of essential nutrients therefore assumes priority and it is vital to increase the depleted substances in the body over a very long time.

It is best to stick with therapy and recovery for a period of several months for this reason alone, as getting the body health is also vitally necessary to help the person cope with the withdrawal symptoms.

In the reduction of the milder withdrawal symptoms and in the removal of alcohol from the tissues vitamin C can be used, this vitamin is also very important in strengthening the body, as a strong body is necessary to fight back.

Vitamin C is extremely effective in this health restoration action when used along with tocopherol or vitamin E, as they both complement each other during the recovery process.

Withdrawal symptoms and the intense craving for alcohol can be sated effectively using a combination of the B-complex vitamins, along with the amino acid glutamine, and kudzu vine extracts.

In easing the symptoms of withdrawal thiamine is effective and should be taken in extra doses along with the other supplements.

Detoxification of the body is essential and the liver of alcoholics has usually suffered some injury.

In order to strengthen and restore the liver function while detoxifying the body a combination of a herbal extract of the herb milk thistle, can be used along with the amino acid NAC (N-acetylcysteine), and phosphatidylcholine, these can be taken in 500 mg tablets thrice daily.

Minerals also need to be replenished in the body and can help in many ways.

For example the essential mineral chromium can be used for minimizing fatigue, which is a very common symptom among alcoholics because they usually suffer from a low glucose level in the blood- hypoglycemia.

The oil of evening primrose is very rich in the fatty acid GLA or gamma-linolenic acid.

GLA is an essential component in the production of prostaglandin E, which is a brain chemical necessary to effectively fight the withdrawal symptoms, including seizures and depression which are faced by recovering alcoholics.

Liver and nervous system function are also aided by prostaglandin E. Sleeping becomes a big problem with recovering alcoholics, the sedative like herb kava can be used to induce sleepiness.

Aromatherapy
Commonly used essential oils for alcoholism:

Fennel

Homeopathy

Agaricus
Agaricus is recommended in cases of acute alcoholism and is a potent antidote against the ravages of a hangover. The patient who should be recommended this prescription may display wild rage, but will show a final indifference in behavior.

Other behavior may include delirium, raving and manic behavior along with incoherent talking and rhyme making. A headache may set in due to the alcohol. Physical signs may include trembling, muscular twitching, jerking motions, and an unsteady gait.

Bodily sensations may include feelings of ice-cold needles on the skin, accompanied by a burning and tingling sensation. The spine may become sensitive.

The patient may worsen under cold weather, and will be sensitive to touching, will not eat, will deny intercourse and suffer more if it is her menstrual period, and may feel uncomfortable under pressure and before the onset of storms, in all such cases Agaricus should be used.

Arsenicum
Arsenicum is recommended in all chronic and acute cases of alcoholism. The patient may feel chilled, and this may be accompanied by burning pains.

Physically the patient may become very pale and ashen, the body may be emaciated and puffy. The patient may have foul smelling and acrid discharges in small amounts.

The patient may be always thirsty and prefer cold liquids and may have a shortness of breath often. Other signs include restlessness and an extreme anxious state and a weakness.

Mentally the patient will always feel nervous, he may also be fearful and have pangs of guilt. Morbid fears may include the sudden and unexplained fear of death, misery and a feeling that they cannot be cured.

The patient may worsen around midnight, early in the morning at around 1 or 2 a.m.; the patient may also worsen under physical exertion.

The patient will recover and feel better among company and in hot weather and warm clothing and will love warm food, all people who display such symptoms may be prescribed Arsenicum.

Lachesis
Lachesis is to be used for treating persons suffering from chronic alcoholism. Patients may show a dusky complexion, and may feel they are being choked.

A prominent physical sign is a red nose. Patients may show profuse bleeding in many parts of the body, including a nosebleed, and bruising in the body.

Other physical signs like a cold feeling in the legs and feet. Gastric problems like diarrhea, recurrent nausea, and indigestion.

Other signs may include trembling, body cramps and hot flashes. Patients may be given to jesting and incessant aimless talk. In moving he may be hurried and impatient, and may feel suspicious of everyone.

The patient may worsen in the morning, and immediately after waking, he will feel an aversion to heat, to light, will not like to be touched, and feel bad under pressure. The patient will improve in the open air and will like wide-open spaces.

Nux vomica
Nux vomica is an effective antidote against the ravages of alcohol, and treats hangovers. The patient may show delirium tremens.

Physical signs like nervousness will feel weak and show muscular twitching and trembling. Other physical signs include excessive cramps, spasms and mental tension.

Behaviors may include overeating, and drug abuse and over excessive drinking of coffee. Symptoms like constipation, and sleeplessness may come on.

The person will be weak and unsteady. Psychologically he will be very irritable, critical and argumentative, aside from being willful and demanding.

The patient may worsen in the early hours of the morning and will be sensitive to cold and pressure, light and noise, and will avoid being touched, while feeling better when having warm liquids.

Additional things you may do
Acupuncture may reduce the craving for alcohol. Join a support group.

Usual dosage
Evening primrose oil, 1,000 mg three times daily. Can be replaced with 1,000 mg borage oil once daily.

Kava, 250 mg three times daily. Standardized to contain at least 30% kava-lactones.

Milk thistle, 250 mg three times daily - between meals. Standardized to contain at least 70% silymarin.

Kudzu, 150 mg three times daily. Standardized to contain at least 0.95% daidzen.

Vitamin B complex, each morning with food, 1 pill, plus extra 100 mg thiamin. Look for a 400 mcg folic acid; B-50 complex with 50 mcg vitamin B12 and biotin;  and 50 mg of all other B vitamins.

Vitamin E / Vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E a day; 1,000 mg vitamin C three times daily. Vitamin C helps boost the effects of vitamin E.

Amino acids, mixed amino acid complex plus L-glutamine (500 mg two times daily), GABA (750 mg two times daily), and NAC (500 mg two times daily). Take on an empty stomach for best absorption.

Chromium, 200 mcg two times daily. Take with a full glass of water or food.

Other beneficial herbs
Antrodia Mushroom
Korean Melon
Reishi
Alcohol detoxification
While alcohol is drunk everywhere and relished worldwide - and has been so for as long as man has lived. Unfortunately, its abuse is also a serious and ever present health hazard.

Moderate and social consumption, similar to the use of caffeine in tea and coffee, is harmless and has no major implications for health and is also a very pleasurable way of spending time, except for potential allergic reactions some may have to alcohol.

And of course people having liver disease, or a weakened gastrointestinal tract, rectal problems or nervous system dysfunction, cannot use it.

Abuse of alcohol can lead to addiction that may become very hard to overcome.

Besides it attendant problems of disturbing the emotional states of abusers, habitual drinking can lead to addiction and increase the chances of the occurrence of physical problems such as obesity, and internal problems like gastritis and peptic ulcers.

It can damage the pancreas, leading to pancreatitis, abuse can lead to hepatitis, and to cirrhosis of the liver, blood sugar problems like hypoglycemia leading to eventual diabetes, physically uncomfortable problems like gout, and can cause permanent nerve and brain dysfunction, and possibly cancer.

The alcoholic almost always has some nutritional deficiencies, alcohol may also lead to immune suppression, and via its distortion of emotions may cause accidental injury, and death such as during drunk driving.

Many people succumb to the alcoholic charm and become abusers, while most people seem to be quite capable of handling its effects especially by using alcohol sparingly.

There may be some positive sides to alcohol as physiologically it does have some good effects.

Such as its ability to stimulate the appetite and its action as a stress relieving agent, this however is not comparable to the same benefit through physical exercise. Alcohol is an effective vasodilator, and can greatly speed up blood flow.

HDL levels in the body may also be increased by its usage, HDL is considered as good cholesterol, alcohol also significantly contributes to the total blood fat level and raises it.

The progression of diseases atherosclerosis and heart disease may possibly be hindered by the consumption of alcohol in small and doses equivalent to about one to two glasses.

Lowered chances of heart attacks may also result in studies done on moderate drinkers over teetotalers of the same age group and this could be a possible benefit of drinking, lowered risk of heart attacks may be due to high HDL cholesterol levels brought on by alcohol, alcohol users may also have reduced chances of arteriosclerosis.

A high level of alcohol in the blood increases blood pressure and is a factor in sudden heart disease however, and only moderate drinkers seem to benefit.

The real link between alcohol and heart disease will be shown as more research is conducted, before alcohol is possibly suggested as having contributions to the alleviation of certain physical diseases.

In the meantime, physical activity and strong interpersonal bonds are better contributors to a healthy life than alcohol, especially in the area of stress reduction.

Alcohol is made up of empty calories; it has almost no nutritional value, containing about seven calories for every gram, when compared to other sources of regular carbohydrates and protein - which have four calories per gram. This is almost double the value of each.

Moderate drinkers on average consume about 5 to10 percent of their caloric intake from alcohol, this on the other hand could be as high or higher than 50 percent, and this takes the place of real nutritional calories.

Because of the fact that the empty calories are in the place of the real ones, the amount of nutrition the body receives is decreased, especially with regard to the essential vitamins, the essential minerals, and all other nutrients needed by the body, this results in a deficiency of important substances in the body over a long period of time.

Additionally, the alcohol molecule is minute and is very easily absorbed and assimilated before other nutrients are taken; it also directly enters the bloodstream and is rapidly effective and potent.

This is the reason that a rapid fluctuation of the blood sugar level comes about whenever alcoholic drinks such as beer, wine, and mixed drinks are consumed. This causes extreme and erratic mood swings and an altered emotional state.

The alcohol that enters the body is metabolized in the liver and this vital organ is the only one that carries this function out, alcoholic calories are either converted into energy or stored as liver fat called glycogen and glycogen is stored; whenever there is an excess of as in heavy drinking.

Over a long time, when too much glycogen is stored, the alcohol can actively irritate the liver this in a matter of time leads to the physical manifestation of the disease called cirrhosis, where the tissue in the lever undergoes scarring and damage.

Since alcohol is volatile roughly five percent of what is ingested is eliminated through the body fluids such as perspiration, in the urine, and as exhaled breath.

By its action of removing inhibitions and alcohol is often thought by many to be a stimulant, and consumed in small amounts, it can and does seem to ease and enliven social gatherings.

Chemically, however, it is a sedative that acts on the central nervous system, depressing it. Its first effects are often pleasant and relaxing.

But as the consumption is increased the pleasant and gentle feeling is often altered and rapidly changes into a numbing down of the mental and physical states, at these levels alcohol therefore greatly hampers our reflexes, impairs physical coordination, and greatly affects judgment and emotional states.

This is the reason for people becoming involved in so many accidents whenever alcohol is involved, often leading to injuries and death.

Allergens are also present in alcoholic drinks as they are often made from grains, and in wine from grapes, are high in sugar, and are fermented using yeast, as an allergen alcohol may induce both intestinal and cerebral reactions.

Other substances such as corn, wheat, rye, and barley can also bring about allergic conditions. In a way, by the stimulation from the allergens in alcoholic drinks and the reactions they produce, alcoholism may even be considered a type of food addiction.

Looked at that way, withdrawal in people who have yeast overgrowth may have a problem with alcohol, as the yeast may be stimulated by alcohol.

In addition, alcoholic drinks are prepared over a long period of time using many ingredients and many people may be allergic to these substances or conversely may even react to various chemicals, like the sulfites, and other substances that are used while producing alcoholic drinks.

The effects of alcohol on the body and the associated risks are related to its use over a period of time and the quantities involved, thus heavy drinkers are likely to be affected more seriously and quicker than moderate users.

There is also the factor of body types and alcohol may affect different people in different ways.

More than five drinks a day regularly and for along term, can be considered to be high risk alcohol consumption, low risk drinkers constitute people who have about one or two drinks a day and use alcohol regularly, social drinkers are minimal risk groups as the time periods vary, and the quantities of alcohol are small.

Alcohol is considered a dangerous substance for some groups of people such as people with diabetes, those suffering from hypertension, or heart disease, and it should be avoided by pregnant or nursing mothers, or those planning pregnancy.

These groups of people can be in serious danger because alcohol can aggravate their conditions and in case of pregnant mothers affect the unborn.

Alcohol should also be avoided by people with hypoglycemic problems, those with liver disorders - especially hepatitis (jaundice), those having developed ulcers and gastritis, or viral diseases, and fungal infections like candidiasis, alcohol may also aggravate mental confusion, fatigue, and of course people having hypersensitive reactions to alcohol should avoid it at all cost.

The various effects and signs of inebriation from alcohol include dizziness, delayed and uncoordinated reflexes, slow and distorted mental functions, non permanent memory loss, a loss of judgment, uncontrollable emotional outburst, in many aggressive behavior, there is also a lack of coordination of movement and thought, and loss of consciousness may result especially where the amounts consumed have been high.

The physical symptoms of a hangover include a dryness of the mouth, an uncontrollable thirst, a severe headache accompanied by a constant throbbing in the area of the temples, feelings of nausea, sudden vomiting and retching, stomach and gastric problems, physical fatigue and heaviness.

One of the first effects of alcohol is that it dehydrates the body, removing fluid from the blood, and leads to a swelling of the cranial arteries; alcohol also seriously irritates the gastrointestinal tract.

As a rule, the more severe effects of hangovers are more common with distilled alcohol liquors and spirits, though it also often occurs with milder spirits such as wines, and champagne and brewed drinks like beer and a variety of ales.

Quantity consumed being an indicator of likeliness of hangovers occurring, predictably the larger amounts drunken the greater the chances of getting a hangover.

During recovery for an alcoholic, the various withdrawal symptoms may include an intense craving for alcohol, a nauseous feeling, frequent vomiting, gastrointestinal problems including abdominal cramps, the symptoms of anorexia, physical fatigue, sudden headaches, emotional problems such as anxiety, increased irritability, dizziness, mild to high fevers, chills, a change in psychological states such as depression, a sudden onset of insomnia, physical tremors, weakness in the limbs, distorted mental reasoning and hallucinations, and seizures.

These may go on for weeks to months.

Liver function is diverted from other necessary tasks, as ninety-five percent of the alcohol consumed must be metabolized, other important body functions like detoxification are put on the back burner.

Fats and lipids build up in the liver as their metabolism is slowed. Obesity is also often a stage in alcoholics because alcohol is converted into fat in the liver.

The liver itself loses some cells and small parts become non functional, especially in chronic users, the liver tissue often swells, scars are formed, and the liver shrinks, and soon only a small part of the liver is functional.

Other physical complications are things like ascites which is simply the build-up of fluid within the abdomen, other effects of the abuse of alcohol are painful piles or hemorrhoids caused by varicose veins in the rectal region and various bleeding disorders.

Chronic alcohol use can also lead to more serious liver diseases like hepatitis and cirrhosis, especially in cases where the liver becomes inflamed or enlarged.

Since the liver is one of the only organs in the human body that can regenerate, it takes time and more than half the liver can be destroyed by alcohol before liver function is seriously impaired.

Once alcohol ceases to be processed, the liver regenerates itself, thus there is hope.

Due to alcohol abuse some gastrointestinal disorders may result these include gastritis, severe abdominal pain, difficulty in swallowing and aversion to food, painful gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.

Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to a decrease in the hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes inside the stomach.

Holes and perforations in the stomach lining may result, which can cause the "leaky gut" syndrome, things like esophagitis - irritation of the esophagus, may develop, bleeding may result from varicose veins in the rectum, internal diseases like pancreatitis, gallstones may form and progress to the more serious gall bladder disease, where the bladder will have to be removed.

The blood-brain barrier is easily traversed by alcohol, and therefore the substance can rapidly destroy brain cells and in the long term can cause brain damage leading to its manifestation in behavioral and psychological problems.

Alcohol can also be implicated in many disorders of the nervous system, these include polyneuritis, which is a form of nerve inflammation, it can cause the onset of premature senility, and a form of chronic degenerative brain syndrome called encephalopathy.

High and raised levels of HDL, the good cholesterol due to moderate alcoholic intake can protect against arteriosclerosis, however any amount of alcohol affects the heart and blood vessels are damaged and this could lead to cardiovascular disease and dysfunction of the heart.

Some of these could be a decrease in heart function, impaired heart muscle action, alcohol can also affect the electrical conductivity, can cause congestive heart failure, long term use can bring about cardiac arrhythmias, and enlarge the heart.

Alcohol affects carbohydrate metabolism and is therefore indirectly responsible for hypoglycemia and diabetes if they appear in alcoholics.

Simple sugars are the constituents of alcohol; these are rapidly absorbed and have a tendency to weaken glucose tolerance in a person with chronic alcoholism.

One of the primary reasons for mood swings is impaired glucose tolerance; this can also cause depression, uncontrollable emotional outbursts, and psychological manifestations like anxiety.

In addition, weight gain often results due to increased calories from alcohol and there is also an increase in body fat unless there is exercise and diet control, increased fat lead to obesity in alcoholics.

Recovery stages a controlled diet and multivitamin regimen is recommended. Alcoholics do certainly need more supplements than other people, and while in the detoxification process, this need doubles and increases.

Diet should be focused on fluids and alkaline foods while they are on in the withdrawal stage.

Liquids are easy to consume and should be the staple as the appetite is not sharp at this stage, this will also help in the quick clearance of alcohol from the body and in it's cleansing.

Some foods are better than others all fluids including water, diluted fruit and vegetable juices, warm broths, all soups, and herbal teas such as sourced from chamomile, skullcap which is a nervine and valerian root are effective at this stage.

In addition herbs such as white willow bark are effective in reducing pain and resulting inflammation. An impaired capacity to absorb nutrients is one of the deficiencies from alcohol abuse include impaired absorption; these nutrients include the important B complex vitamins and most essential minerals.

The impairment of liver function a deficiency of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K is also due to alcoholism. The loss of nutrients often results from the diuretic effect of alcohol.

There is a reduction in the stores of alcohol-metabolizing vitamins B1 thiamine and B3 besides other important B complex vitamins.

The onset of anemia can sometimes occur because of a lack of folic acid in alcoholics, there is also a loss of cyclobalamine or vitamin B12, and the essential mineral iron.

Low levels of vitamin D can bring about the increased risk of osteoporosis or bone density loss when combined with poor calcium absorption in the alcoholic.

There also develops a lack of appetite, directly causing and contributing to the deficiencies in vitamin B2, B6, A, C, in most of the essential fatty acid, and in methionine which is an important amino acid.

Pancreatic digestive enzymes among other nutrients and herbs can also be very effective when utilized after meals. Substances such as brewer's yeast can also be used if tolerated by the patient; this is very rich in many of the B complex vitamins and in a variety of minerals.

A reduction in the inflammatory prostaglandin's can also be achieved by a supplement of essential amino acids.

The effects of alcohol toxicity can be lessened and minimized by using gamma-linolenic acid sourced from evening primrose or borage seed oil.

Anxiety in the patient can be reduced by taking the herb extract of valerian root, which is a natural sedative, comparable to valium and white willow bark tablets can be used for pain.

Herbs such as licorice root and chamomile can greatly ease and soothe the digestive tract.

Enzymes that break down the male hormone testosterone in the liver are increased by alcohol usage. Due to this, in teenage boys who drink, there may be a delay in the onset of sexual maturity because enough testosterone may not be available.

The nervous system is depressed and its functions reduced by alcohol and this can very possibly reduce sexual performance or lead to impotence, even if desire is lessened at the same time.

There is a correlation between alcohol usage and malignancies of the mouth, the esophagus and pancreatic function, and in women even the breasts.

A combination of cigarette smoke and alcohol is responsible for the creation of a chemical, and a strong mutagen called ethyl nitrite leading to genetic problems in the offspring and the rise of cancer.

There are a variety of other health problems such as a red swollen nose, dilation of the blood vessels, incidence of gout, an increase in yeast vaginitis infections due to alcohol, a suppressed immune system and the early onset of PMS, may be caused by alcoholism.

During pregnancy alcohol can easily cross the placental barrier and enter the fetal circulation, the fetus may thus become addicted to alcohol and this may lead to fetal alcohol syndrome and the resultant increase in undersize babies with mental deficiencies.

It is therefore advisable for pregnant mothers to avoid alcohol during their term.

During the withdrawal, detoxification, and other herbs such as ginseng, cayenne, and peppermint are also good bets.

Nutritional goals are best achieved through light amounts of proteins, found in non-fatty poultry products, in white meat such as fish, and things like chicken soup.

Other effective supplements are powders like the amino acid powder. The amino acid L-glutamine, can effectively act against cravings for alcohol and sugar, which is a very common complaints, and is utilized in detoxification clinics for this purpose.

The detoxification process goes on for several weeks after the first signs of withdrawal symptoms for most alcoholics.

The elimination of alcohol and its by-products is carried on during this recovery time, other toxins are also removed at the same time, and the body also gets rid of most stored fats sourced from alcohol around this time.

Therefore the ideal diet for the recovering alcoholic in order to get a balanced nutrition is a diet low in fat, with some protein, and a variety of carbohydrate sources.

Blood sugar problems are often the first complaints of most alcoholics and in order to counter this a minimum regimen allowing for basic hypoglycemic principles must be adhered to.

Which is dependant on eating every three hours or so, a diet that avoids food groups such as sugars and refined foods, including soft drinks and candy.

And vegetables in the complex carbohydrate diet must include whole grains and pasta, starchy vegetables like potatoes, greens such as squashes, legumes, and other leafy vegetables besides the protein complement.

For the proteins good sources are soy products, organic eggs, white meat such as fish, and poultry can also be added and these must be followed by some supplements of fruits and fruit juices, to provide for the missing sugars.

Vegetables and fruits should be the primary diet because the primary aim is to maintain an alkaline diet.

Other good options during the day are an abundant consumption of water and herbal teas.

All fast food and processed foods containing potentially damaging fats should be avoided these include fast foods like lunch meats, chips, burgers, hot dogs, and ice cream, as they tend to increase acidity in the body besides being congestive.

The smoking of cigarettes and the use of caffeine should be avoided.

Supplemental nutrients are helpful as with other substances during the recovery process from chronic alcoholism.

For easy sleep the herbal formulas, including valerian root capsules, or prescription medicines can be utilized, as sleeping is difficult. Mineral supplements can also aid in inducing sleep these include calcium and magnesium supplements taken at night.

Amino acids like L-glutamine, which is used in making the amino acid glutamic acid, by the body is a good source for energy and is an effective energizer.

The essential amino acid glutamine aids in the lessening of a craving for alcohol and sugar and is found naturally in liver, meats, dairy foods, and cabbage.

During the detoxification process, antioxidant nutrients combined with multiple vitamins are an effective measure.

The loss of minerals during the stages of alcoholism is great and therefore minerals such as zinc, iron, calcium, and magnesium should be taken to replace those lost, in a tablet form.

For the elimination of toxins fiber is important in the diet as it binds the toxins helping in their easy removal from the body. Fat utilization and digestion are greatly aided by compounds such as choline and inositol.

For the detoxification of the liver lemon water combined with a couple of teaspoons of olive oil and a quarter teaspoon or a capsule of cayenne pepper can be used.

In clearing off the chemical toxins olive oil is thought to be useful, while at the same time being nourishing to the liver, a high fiber diet also causes a high fat absorption in the body and can help during recovery.

Many natural therapies for the liver utilize cold-pressed olive oil. Herbs such as the milk thistle also aid detoxification; this herb also offers protection and healing to the liver.

For the toning and cleansing of the liver, include in the supplements about, one or two capsules of goldenseal root powder two times a day.

In cleansing the blood and in the boosting of the eliminating power of the kidneys parsley tea can be used. For the detoxification of the liver, the blood and the colon the amino acid L-cysteine is another helpful substance.