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At Hawaii Naturopathic Retreat Center - for Fasting, Detoxification & Meditation we combine the best of detoxification methods with psychotherapy, meditation and spiritual ideas. In order to achieve maximal healing in minimal time. Read about our purpose and mission, and our philosophy and medical approach. Thiamine The most well-known vitamin deficiency associated with alcoholism is that of thiamine (B-1) deficiency. Classically, long-term deprivation of this vitamin leads to Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome and features neurologic symptoms such as confusion, memory loss, impaired movements, and peripheral neuropathy. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is actually two disorders that can occur independently or together. Wernicke's disease involves damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems and can include alcohol-withdrawal symptoms. Korsakoff syndrome involves impairment of memory and intellectual skills. The most distinctive symptom is confabulation, or fabrication of facts, as the person tries to fill in gaps in memory when recounting experiences. Depending on time of treatment and the length of time the patient has been deprived of thiamine, this condition may or may not be reversible. Treatment of this condition involves the administration of thiamine intravenously and in repeated doses over a period of days to weeks. Zinc Zinc is required for several biological functions, including DNA synthesis, cell division, and expression of genes. Additionally, zinc is required for the functioning of numerous enzymes in biologic systems and immune system function. Alcoholism is a predisposing factor for zinc deficiency due to the effects of alcohol on nutrient absorption. Zinc can positively affect the metabolism of alcohol in the body and can reinforce the functioning of stomach and liver alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes. The development of alcohol dependence is accompanied by a decrease in zinc content in an area of the brain known as the hippocampus, and supplementation of zinc may prevent this deficiency. In another interesting study demonstrating the importance of zinc and alcoholism, alcohol-dependent animals were shown to have deficient zinc brain levels, and when supplemented with zinc, alcohol consumption was reduced following administration of the zinc. These studies demonstrate a link between zinc and healthy brain functioning; supplementation of zinc in chronic alcoholics may serve to improve treatment and prevent some negative long-term effects of deficiency. Niacin Deficiency of niacin (vitamin B3) is known to occur in alcoholics as well. Frank deficiency of niacin leads to pellagra. Pellagra leads to a triad of symptoms including dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia, which, left untreated, can lead to death. Skin changes are characteristic and define the condition by themselves. Often masked by other alcohol-related nutritional deficiencies, pellagra can coexist with other vitamin deficiency diseases in chronic alcoholics. Because of this, supplementation with a multivitamin and mineral is imperative in the treatment of chronic alcoholic disease, although pellagra by itself is responsive to niacin therapy. Considered a mainly psychiatric disease, the known familial and genetic influences on alcohol dependency have become increasingly well-defined. Indeed the adage that genetics loads the gun, but diet and lifestyle pull the trigger, rings true when it comes to alcoholism. Not everyone with a family history of alcoholism is destined to become alcoholic. Nutritional and botanical supports and a healthy lifestyle can all help ward off the consequences of alcoholism Author's note: In keeping with the recovery process for alcohol-dependent people, it is worth remembering that while this article supports the use of herbal medicines in the treatment and prevention of alcohol dependency, liquid herbal extracts are more often than not extracted in a base of alcohol that can be as high as 50% (100 proof). A more appropriate, alcohol-free preparation – such as teas, capsules, or liquid glycerin extracts – should be used by anyone using these herbs to affect alcohol dependency, rather than an alcoholic herbal extract. extract from article by Jason E. Barker, 2007 BACK to articles Mind Your Body - Hawaii Naturopathic Retreat Center - for Fasting, Detoxification & Meditation For more articles - click here. For contact information - click here. For more about the retreat - click here. |
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HAWAI'I RAW DETOXIFICATION RETREAT HAWAII NATUROPATHIC RETREAT CENTER INC. A center for health, longevity and happiness www.mindyourbody.info Contact information (808) 982-8202 
at http://gersonhawaii.us |
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