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!
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