Ok, we know that alcoholism is far from an ideal nutritional strategy… but what exactly is excess booze doing to our body? Apart from the obvious liver damage, and excessive addition of empty-calories, this study found that certain vitamins and minerals are lacking from the diet of heavy drinkers. Comparing 48 men who included both alcoholics and healthy teetotallers with a good diet, alcoholic subjects were found to have a lower muscle-mass (but well-maintained body fa!), with deficiencies in magnesium, vitamin D and vitamin B12.
Alcoholics also showed increased levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress!
Whether drinking stops people eating appropriately, or whether the booze actively contributes to deficiency, eating to reduce inflammation and to increase micronutrient levels is a MUST if you’ve been hitting the drink excessively.
Obviously the most important thing is to cut down, clean up and improve your diet!
Matt
