Excerpt:

WHAT NUTRIENTS ARE DEPLETED BY ALCOHOL?

"An excellent diet can offset some of the problems of alcohol, but those
who drink more usually do not eat perfectly.
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Alcohol related deficiencies are caused: by the direct depleting actions
of alcohol detoxification, by decreased digestion & absorption secondary
to alcohol induced changes in the lining of the gastro intestinal tract,
changes in the liver, digestive enzymes & pancreas functions, & by
changes in the diet & nutritional intake when the alcohol replaces other
intakes.
*
There is decreased absorption of: Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B12,
folic acid, & amino acids. Alcohol is one of the most common causes of
folic acid deficiency in the U.S.
*
Alcohol induces increased urinary loss of Zinc, Magnesium, Calcium, &
Vitamin B12.
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The acetaldehyde produced by the breakdown of alcohol destroys Vitamin C
, Vitamin B6 & the amino acids L- Cysteine, & glutathione, which are all
used to counteract the acetaldehyde. It uses up Vitamin B1, & Vitamin
B5. The inflammatory response mobilizes an enzyme ( indoleamine
dioxygenase) which breaks down tryptophan, contributing to a serotonin
deficiency .Further, it binds with the very important brain chemicals,
dopamine, serotonin, enkephalins, & endorphins. These chemicals, called
neurotransmitters are critical for maintaining a balanced good mood.
Decreased serotonin can lead to depression, irritability, emotional
volatility, & a sense of dissatisfaction. Decreased dopamine,
norepinephrine, enkephalins , & endorphins can lead to an inability to
feel pleasure, motivation & drive.
*

This is already too long to go into how alcohol can be addictive except
a brief summary. Certain byproducts of alcohol can bind to some of the
same receptor sites in the brain as do the feel good neurotransmitters
listed at the end of the above paragraph. Thus alcohol can produce a
similar sense of well being. But that feeling wears off quickly & have
to drink more to keep it going. Repeated false activation of these
receptor sites sends the brain the signal to make less of these
essential neurotransmitters, natural production slows, & an addiction
process begins. Also alcohol depletes the nutrients which make these
brain chemicals which further contributes to the change in
neurotransmitters related to the addiction process.
*

Those with a genetic predisposition to alcoholism, even if not
alcoholic, make twice as much acetaldehyde. This means they metabolize
alcohol faster & thus may drink more & faster to feel it. It also means
they are using up the above nutrients more quickly.
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Alcohol interferes with Essential Fatty Acid metabolism, causing a
depletion of gamma linoleic acid, commonly know as GLA ( an omega 6
fatty acid).

Alcohol depresses the enzyme which converts the amino acid, methionine,
to SAMe (S-Adenosylmethionine) which is important as a liver protector,
mood elevator, & in helping with the pain of inflammation. The
deficiency of SAMe can predispose to cirrhosis.
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Alcohol inhibits melatonin production. It usually induces sleep for the
first few hours, after which the sleep cycle is interrupted & shallow
with suppressed dream ( REM) sleep, & suppressed deep ( delta) sleep."

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