Published October 4, 2018 · Reviewed by Sergey Litvinov, MD · ~294 words

Alcohol misuse takes a heavy toll on your body, and it can do serious damage to your heart and liver. Deciding to detoxify your body from it brings noticeable effects of its own. Those include intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, high blood pressure, headaches and agitation. That is why nutrition matters here, and why you supplement what the drinking stripped out of you.

How to support your nutrition as you detox

Vitamin supplements

Alcohol misuse commonly leaves the body deficient in iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc. Your detox center may prescribe a basic multivitamin, or you may pick one out yourself. Multivitamins are not all of equal quality. If you are choosing your own, get it from a reputable brand and check the number of nutrients and any extra ingredients. Ask your detox center which vitamins you need most.

Herbal supplements

Certain herbs help with the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Dandelion root and milk thistle support the liver, and ginger and chamomile settle the stomach. Valerian root looks promising for the agitation that comes with anxiety. Check with your doctor first, in case any of these interact with a medication you are already taking.

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