Alternative Alcoholism Treatment

When you drink a lot, the body senses that its calorie needs have been met. As a result, you don't feel the need to eat. In chronic alcoholism, this can lead to malnutrition. In addition, alcohol inflames the gastrointestinal tract and interferes with the absorption of nutrients.

Alcohol also interferes with liver function. Too much alcohol causes the liver to produce excessive tryglycerides that may increase the chance of heart disease.

Lastly, excessive alcohol intake can damage the brain. One malady associated with excessive alcohol consumption is Korsakoff's Syndrome, in which a lack of thiamine (vitamin B1) causes short-term memory loss.

While treatment for alcoholism is the standard 12-step program, nutritionists have had great success treating alcoholism with diet, supplements, and herbs to fix the brain's chemical imbalance. Some of the nutrients found useful are --

• Kudzu, yes the vine that ate the south, has been proven to reduce the craving for alcohol in many patients with alcohol withdrawal.



• Milk Thistle extract is liver protective. Milk thistle has also been reported to help regenerate injured liver cells.



• L-Glutamine has been proven to decrease the desire to drink as well as help relieve the anxiety that accompanies withdrawal.

It is believed that alcohol keeps the brain from producing its own mood boosters. Diet and supplements can help with this. A diet high in fats and protein (this is what the brain is made of) has been found to be helpful along with herbs and supplements that target deficiencies.

Alcoholism has many variables that need to be addressed simultaneously. Herbs and supplements are not a magical potion for the withdrawal symptoms of alcohol addiction, but they can help the healing process in two vital ways -- as a strengthener for both the mental and physical systems, and in specific treatment of the withdrawal side effects.