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Eating a diet filled with nutrients has always been key, but now studies demonstrate that there probably is a connection between substance dependency and dietary deficiencies. Carolyn Reuben, a nutrition authority (and the executive director of the Community Addiction Recovery Association in Sacramento, CA) states that the human body often react to certain nutritional deficiencies in a fashion that may ultimately lead to mood disorders and/or drug addiction.
She and other nutrition experts view lack of omega-3 as one of the issues.
Based on an addict’s drug of choice or primary complaints, Reuben states investigators can identify which amino acids, vitamins and nutrients are missing.
Individuals suffering from substance oftentimes do not follow a healthful diet. What Is More, substances deplete crucial nutrients from the addict’s body, so replacing and sustaining them are an important part of recovery. Furthermore, drugs exhaust vitamins and nutrients from the user’s body, so replenishing and maintaining them are an a crucial part of recovery.
Reuben believes, paraphrased, that there exists an an important relationship between our conduct and our nourishment, a direct connection between our food intake and good mood. If somebody starts drinking or taking drugs and their answer is, “I don’t feel high, I feel normal,” that’s the sign that says they came into life with a chemical abnormality. They are low in something and we can fix that with our diet, sometimes with amino acids, fish oil, vitamin C or B. The benefits of fish oil seem to be of supreme significance.
This approach is based on research by Professor Stephen Schoenthaler, PhD, who discovered a connection between too much sugar consumption, low vitamin consumption and aggression, in 1985. He found that prison inmates who were administered daily vitamin/mineral supplements had as much as a 43% reduction in violent behavior, which led investigators to begin exploring the link between nutrition and addiction. More recent clinical analysis have also found that supplying prisoners omega-3 fatty acid supplements also decreases violence.
The CARA program proposes that individuals (in conjunction with their doctor) start a regimen of eating 3 meals daily, each having at least 20 grams of protein, at least 4 cups of veggies, 2000 mg of vitamin C, a multivitamin, 1000-3000 mg of omega-3, 500 mg of L-glutamine, and 2-3 mcg of chromium. It also suggests avoiding white sugar and flour, which could possibly deplete the body of vitamin B. It also encourages doing away with white sugar and flour, which could exhaust the body of vitamin B.
Although many factors are responsible for substance and alcohol abuse, consuming a diet rich in nutrients, vitamins, minerals and fish oil capsules is unquestionably a key part of the successful route to recovery and a drug-free life!
For more info on how to assist a drug or alcohol addict you should call 1-877-782-7409 or visit Addicthelp.org.
Brittany M. Wallace is a health and nutrition expert.