Is Milk Good for Alcohol Withdrawal?
Approximately 29 million people in the United States ages 12 and older have been diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder, or AUD. With the growing prevalence of the disorder, individuals are also more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms, especially while they are attempting to eliminate alcohol consumption from their everyday lives. If you are currently experiencing alcohol withdrawal, you may have heard that consuming milk can provide some relief from symptoms.
Can Milk Alleviate Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
While there is no conclusive evidence from a long-term study that supports the idea that milk can alleviate symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal, there are anecdotal reports to support this claim in numerous regions of the world. Understanding the role that nutrition, vitamins, and food play in the alcohol withdrawal process can help you better determine if milk is a substance that can significantly alleviate adverse withdrawal symptoms.
Because milk contains a variety of vitamins and is said to coat the stomach, it may help alleviate feelings of nausea and indigestion, especially in individuals who are not experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms. When attempting to consume milk while experiencing alcohol withdrawal, it is best to do so only by choosing organic or grass-fed milk. Milk that is produced from grass-fed cows is more likely to result in a reduced number of hormones and potential toxins included in the milk itself upon consumption, which is more beneficial for the body.
Role of Nutrition and Alcohol Withdrawal
Understanding the role that nutrition plays during withdrawal from alcohol can help significantly in determining the right course of action for your body’s individual needs. As the body is transitioning from consuming alcohol, there is a risk of a hypoglycemic, or low blood sugar, episode, especially among individuals who have previously been diagnosed with diabetes type 1 or 2. Consuming nutritious food as you are working towards detoxing the body from toxins, including alcohol, can result in numerous long-term benefits for the body.
Replenish Essential Vitamins and Nutrients
Paying attention to your nutritional intake while you are experiencing alcohol withdrawal can help determine which foods and beverages you may need to consume more during the process. Consuming an excess of alcohol over many months or even years can result in significant nutrient deficiencies in the body. While you are recovering from the use and consumption of alcohol, you will want to turn to foods and vitamins that are optimal to repair any damaged nerves, tissues, and organs in the body.
When it comes to choosing the most important nutrients, you will need to pay close attention to magnesium, zinc, and vitamins B and D, as these can cause the most disturbances in the body, especially during a withdrawal period. Becoming more cognizant while shopping for groceries or preparing meals will also help ensure your body receives the vitamins and nutrients required for you to make a complete recovery from alcohol use.
Improve and Stabilize Your Body’s Blood Sugar Levels
Another important nutritional factor to keep in mind when you’re experiencing withdrawal from alcohol use is the potential ability to stabilize and maintain your blood sugar through a proper diet. Because consumption of alcohol over time can lead to the body’s inability to regulate glucose properly, it is not unlikely to experience a range of neurological and physical side effects as a result. Once an individual chooses to stop consuming alcohol altogether and begins to experience onset withdrawal symptoms, ensuring proper nutrition can minimize the severity of physical and emotional responses.
Alcohol consumption has the power to cause major blood sugar drops in the body, or even hypoglycemic episodes, which can lead to metabolic issues and permanent damage. Additionally, during the process of eliminating alcohol from the body, maintaining proper nutrition is imperative to mitigate feelings of anxiety, irritability, and even new cravings for food and other new activities.
Common Nutritional Deficiencies Prevalent in Alcohol Use Disorder
Familiarizing yourself with the most common nutritional deficiencies known in individuals who have been diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) can help find the best dietary resolution for your own needs. Because nutrition plays a pivotal role in the overall functions of the body, it’s imperative to understand how specific nutrients impact the process of recovery, especially for those who are experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Some of the common nutritional deficiencies to monitor in those struggling with AUD include:
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): A thiamine deficiency is almost always prevalent in those who use alcohol regularly and in excess. Peripheral neuropathy, Korsakoff syndrome, and Wernicke’s encephalopathy are all indicators of a deficiency in clients.
Magnesium: Magnesium is another one of the most important nutrients required for the proper functioning of the body at all times. Hypoparathyroidism, hypocalcemia, neuromuscular irritability, and cardiovascular dysfunction are all signs that point to a deficiency in magnesium in the body.
Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid): Vitamin B9, also commonly referred to as folic acid, is another important nutrient responsible for proper muscle management. Signs of macrocytic anemia and muscle weakness may indicate a deficiency of vitamin B9.
Phosphorous: Levels of phosphorous in individuals with alcohol withdrawal symptoms should also be monitored. Phosphorous deficiencies may present themselves as Rhabdomyolysis or cardiac dysfunction, depending on the client’s medical profile and history.
Types of Ideal Foods During the Alcohol Withdrawal Process
Preparing to experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms is not always easy, especially if you are unsure of what to expect. Once you are familiar with what alcohol withdrawal may feel like, you can take the steps necessary to minimize symptoms and any adverse effects. When it comes to choosing nutritious meals to eat, selecting foods and drinks that help replenish depleted nutrients, vitamins and minerals, is important. Some of the common types of foods to keep in mind whenever you are undergoing alcohol withdrawal include:
- Lean meats and proteins: Consuming lean meats, such as fish, turkey, and chicken meat can help improve the overall production of neurotransmitters while increasing your body’s ability to repair its muscles. Lean proteins can also help build muscles while supporting muscle recovery. Additionally, if you are experiencing mood swings, lean proteins, such as meats, can also help reduce mood swings while regulating the mood more efficiently.
- Complex carbohydrates: In some instances, consuming complex carbohydrates can also be beneficial, especially when you opt for whole grains, vegetables, and healthier fruits that are low in sugar. Eating complex carbohydrates has the potential to stabilize blood sugars. When you stabilize blood sugars in the body, it is also much easier to stave off unwanted food cravings, anxiety, and increased irritability.
- Fats: Good fats can help significantly reduce inflammation in the body while also improving an individual’s overall brain and cognitive function. Reducing brain fog is much easier to do with healthier fats from meats, purified butter, nuts, avocados, and even extra virgin olive oil.
- Vegetables and fruits: Consuming an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables can also help in a big way when you are in the process of detoxing from alcohol consumption. Most fruits and vegetables are not only delicious, but they are also complete with antioxidants alongside the nutrients, including vitamins and minerals required to make a full recovery. Tending to your immune system’s individual needs can be done by learning more about what each type of fruit and vegetable has to offer while you’re undergoing the recovery and detoxification processes.
Ways Milk May Help Alleviate Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms
Although there are no conclusive studies exclusively dedicated to the mechanisms of milk and the role it plays in alcohol withdrawal, there are nutritional benefits of consuming milk that may contribute to those who vouch for its usage in withdrawal. Milk is typically associated with healing, health, and strong bones, especially for those who may have a vitamin D deficiency or those with weakened/suppressed immune systems. Some of the highlights of milk consumption for humans include:
- Calcium: Milk is packed with plenty of calcium, which is why it is known for its ability to not only help increase bone strength and density but also with neurotransmitter production in the brain. This may also be vital for those who are currently undergoing alcohol withdrawal symptoms due to long-term alcohol consumption or use.
- Vitamin D: Besides calcium, milk is also known for its immense vitamin D content. Vitamin D is not only useful to regulate mood and metabolic functions in the body, but it can also aid in the absorption of necessary calcium throughout the body.
- Protein: Along with standard vitamin D and calcium, milk also contains a significant amount of protein for a beverage. The protein included in a typical glass of milk works to support the repair of tissues in the body and the production of neurotransmitters in the brain.
- B Vitamins: Milk created for human consumption also contains multiple B vitamins. B vitamins play an essential role not only in cognitive and brain function but also when it comes to maintaining nerve health.
How Proper Nutrition May Assist During Alcohol Withdrawal
Although experiencing alcohol withdrawal can be extremely intense, mentally, emotionally, and physically, there may be different methods and tactics to implement throughout the process to mitigate withdrawal’s severe adverse effects. From working with a rehabilitation program and local center or facility to eating healthily and monitoring blood sugar levels, it’s important to tend to various facets of your life once you are serious about kicking alcohol consumption from your life for good. A few ways that proper nutrition and a healthy diet can help alleviate negative side effects associated with alcohol withdrawal include:
- Cognitive impairment: One of the first improvements you may notice when paying close attention to your diet during alcohol withdrawal is an improvement in your brain function and overall cognitive ability. Proper nutrition will work to repair necessary neurotransmitters in the brain while simultaneously helping to support tissue repair.
- Irritability and anxiety: Anxiousness and irritability can be reduced by consuming a proper and balanced diet each day. Balanced meals will not only help reduce additional cravings, but they will also assist in maintaining stable glucose or blood sugar levels, which is one of the most vital aspects of dealing with alcohol withdrawal.
- Digestive issues: If you experience digestive issues, such as a change in bowel movements, increased nausea, diarrhea or even vomiting, the right diet can help alleviate these GI-related symptoms. Foods that are nutrient-dense and rich in vitamins will help provide relief from the discomfort you may be experiencing during the process of eliminating alcohol from the body.
- Muscle health: Providing your body with proper nutrients through food is one of the best and quickest ways to repair the muscles throughout the body. Because consuming alcohol without proper nutrients in your diet can lead to muscle weakness and, in some cases, even the atrophy of the muscles, a balanced diet is essential for a full recovery.
- Food cravings: It is not uncommon to experience significant cravings for sugary foods once you are in alcohol withdrawal, due to the glucose drops in your system. Balanced meals, proper nutrition, and the consumption of suitable complex carbohydrates can go a long way in alleviating cravings for sugary or processed foods.
While there is no medical treatment requiring the consumption of milk to alleviate the signs and symptoms commonly associated with alcohol withdrawal, there may be nutritional benefits in doing so, depending on your body’s needs. Finding the right recovery resources you need is a way to move forward with your journey to sobriety knowing you are on the right track.
With proper resources locally and online, you can remain focused on your goals at all times. For more information on AUD, or Alcohol Use Disorder, visit AlcoholAwareness.org. Alcohol Awareness is not only dedicated to providing state-by-state resources, links, and contact information, but we also provide a hotline available to anyone in need of additional support and direction. Call 855-955-0771 today.