Time for an alcohol detox?

Let’s talk about alcohol. Maybe you drank a little more than usual over the holidays. Maybe you’ve been drinking more since the pandemic began. Maybe drinking has become a habit over the last several years.

Whatever your relationship is with alcohol, January is a great time to take a step back and reevaluate it. Because even though the authorities say that it’s fine for women to have one drink a day and for men to have 2, even that can be problematic for some people.

For a quick reminder (and I won’t belabor the point), here is just a partial list of the things that alcohol can do to your health…

• Increase intestinal permeability (leaky gut)

• Deplete antioxidant stores

• Impair fertility

• Promote nutrient loss

• Alter gene expression

• Cause fatty liver

• Increase estrogen levels

Plus, drinking alcohol can disrupt your sleep, leave you with a foggy brain, and dramatically interfere with your productivity.

Here’s why I’m writing this post…

If you are feeling like your relationship with alcohol is even the least bit dysfunctional, I want to challenge you to take a break. Commit to 30 days without. See how you feel and then decide what to do next!

During that 30 days, nutrition can be a huge help. Here are some nutrients that can be depleted by alcohol and that can help you feel better during your alcohol detox:

● Vitamin C

● Magnesium

● Zinc & Selenium

● B Complex (including folate and B12)

● Omega-3 fatty acids

Be sure to drink plenty of water, eat on a regular schedule, and find a routine that can replace the drink. Tell a family member your plan so you can be accountable. What may feel like a small step can have a tremendous impact on your health. Cheers!