What To Know
- The recommended dosage for a vitamin B complex is one capsule daily, although make sure you read the label, and if in doubt, consult with a local health practitioner.
- Vitamin B deficiency is often high up on the totem pole when it comes to alcohol addiction, as most are depleted or inhibited.
Maintaining sobriety can be a challenging journey, both mentally and physically. However, there are various ways to support your health and recovery, and one of them is through the use of nutritional supplements.
Nutritional supplements can help manage cravings, repair damage caused by alcohol abuse, and support overall health.
In this article, we will discuss the top five supplements for sobriety that can help you on your journey to recovery.
Key Supplements for Sobriety: Glutamine The Craving Buster
Glutamine is an amino acid that is vital for the proper functioning of the body. It is also known to help reduce alcohol cravings. Alcohol abuse can deplete the body’s natural stores of glutamine, which can result in anxiety, depression, and alcohol cravings [1].
If you’re looking for supplements for sobriety, Supplementing with glutamine can help replenish these stores, reduce cravings, and improve overall mood. The recommended dosage for glutamine is 500mg to 1500mg daily, although up to 5g may be used to keep cravings at bay.
This is my top recommendation for crushing alcohol cravings.
Read more about Glutamine here.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC): The Liver Supporter
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) is a powerful antioxidant that plays a crucial role as one of the supplements for sobriety, helping to support liver function. The significance of NAC in the realm of supplements for sobriety cannot be understated, especially considering the impact of alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse can lead to oxidative stress, a harmful condition that can severely damage the liver and potentially cause liver disease.
In its role supporting sobriety, NAC helps protect the liver from the detrimental effects of oxidative stress and enhances liver function. Moreover, NAC has shown promise in reducing cravings and decreasing anxiety, making it a valuable tool for those seeking support in their sobriety journey [2]. The recommended dosage for NAC, particularly in the context of sobriety and liver health, ranges from 600mg to 1800mg daily.
This article takes a comprehensive and deep dive into the benefits and uses of NAC, particularly focusing on its application in various doses across different areas of addiction and sobriety.
Vitamin B Complex: The Mood Booster
Vitamin B complex is a group of vitamins that are essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. Alcohol abuse can deplete the body’s natural stores of B vitamins, which can result in mood disorders such as depression and anxiety [3].
Supplementing with a vitamin B complex can help replenish these stores and improve overall mood. The recommended dosage for a vitamin B complex is one capsule daily, although make sure you read the label, and if in doubt, consult with a local health practitioner.
Vitamin B deficiency is often high up on the totem pole when it comes to alcohol addiction, as most are depleted or inhibited.
Read more about Chronic Drinking and Nutrient Deficiency here.
Magnesium: The Stress Reliever
Magnesium is a crucial mineral when it comes to the toolkit of supplements for sobriety. Magnesium is a mineral that is essential for the proper functioning of the body. It is also known to help reduce stress and anxiety. Alcohol abuse can deplete the body’s natural stores of magnesium, which can result in anxiety and depression [4].
Supplementing with magnesium can help replenish these stores, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall mood. The recommended dosage for magnesium is 200mg to 400mg daily.
I write extensively about its Role and Use in Addiction in this article.
Read more about Magnesium here.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: The Brain Booster
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that are vital for brain function. Alcohol abuse can damage the brain, leading to cognitive impairment and memory loss [5].
Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids, a vital component in the supplements for sobriety regimen, can help repair brain damage often associated with alcohol abuse. These fatty acids are crucial in supplements for sobriety, as they not only aid in repairing the brain but also improve overall brain function.
Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their ability to reduce inflammation and improve mood, further supporting the recovery process. The recommended dosage for omega-3 fatty acids, particularly in the context of sobriety and brain health, is 1000mg to 2000mg daily.
I touch more on the importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in this article.
Read more about Omega-3’s here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) support sobriety?
NAC is a powerful antioxidant that supports liver function, which is crucial for individuals recovering from alcohol abuse. It helps protect the liver from oxidative stress and damage and also shows promise in reducing cravings and anxiety.
Why is Vitamin B Complex important in alcohol recovery?
Vitamin B complex plays a vital role in the functioning of the nervous system. Alcohol abuse often leads to a depletion of B vitamins, causing mood disorders. Supplementing with Vitamin B complex helps replenish these vitamins, improving mood and supporting overall mental health.
Can Magnesium help in managing stress during sobriety?
Yes, magnesium is essential for the body’s functioning and is known for its stress-relieving properties. Alcohol abuse depletes magnesium levels, leading to increased anxiety and depression. Supplementing with magnesium helps restore its levels, reducing stress and improving mood.
How do Omega-3 Fatty Acids aid in sobriety?
Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for brain health. They help repair brain damage caused by alcohol abuse, improve cognitive functions, and enhance overall brain function. These fatty acids also reduce inflammation and improve mood, supporting the recovery process.
The Takeaway
In conclusion, nutritional supplements can be a valuable tool in supporting your health and recovery during sobriety. Glutamine, N-acetyl-cysteine, Vitamin B complex, Magnesium, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids are five supplements that can help manage cravings, repair damage caused by alcohol abuse, and support overall health.
Before starting any supplement, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dosage and ensure that it is safe for you to take.
Remember, sobriety is a journey, and with the right support, you can achieve long-term success and live an addiction-free life, without limits.
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References
- Bowden, C. L. (2002). L-glutamine supplementation and its effects on craving and withdrawal from alcohol. Advances in Therapy, 19(4), 199-213. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02850010
- Knackstedt, L. A., & LaRowe, S. (2016). N-Acetylcysteine in the treatment of addiction. In Neuropathology of Drug Addictions and Substance Misuse (pp. 623-631). Academic Press. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128002131000609
- da Silva, V. K., de Mello Schier, A. R., de Oliveira Ribeiro, N. P., & Nardi, A. E. (2019). A systematic review of the anti-inflammatory, anti-b oxidative, and anti-anxiety effects of adjunctive nutraceuticals in depression. Psychiatry research, 271, 698-704. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178118317398
- Serefko, A., Szopa, A., & Poleszak, E. (2016). Magnesium and depression. Magnesium Research, 29(3), 112-119. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5452159/
- Hill-Kapturczak, N., Lake, S. L., Roache, J. D., Cates, S. E., Liang, Y., & Dougherty, D. M. (2014). Assessing the association between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and alcohol outcomes: newer studies and findings. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 38(6), 1696-1704. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/acer.12406
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Former drinker, Nutritionist, Biohacking enthusiast, self-experimenter, research fanatic, and self-taught writer, Stephen immerses himself deep into the literature of human optimisation and better understand the nature of addiction. His goal is to help people take control of their addiction, reset their cravings, unscramble their broken brain circuitry and use actionable strategies that work ten times better than anything else.