Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Sodium, Phosphorus, Selenium, Zinc, and Chromium Levels in Alcohol Use Disorder: A Review PMC

Mg also inhibits the thrombin-induced Ca2+ influx in platelets, as well as stimulates synthesis of prostaglandin I2, the potent antiaggregatory eicosanoid. Therefore, Mg deficiency may increase platelet aggregation and cause increased hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in alcoholics. Chronic alcohol-use disorder has been imputed as a possible cause of dietary magnesium depletion.

magnesium and alcoholism

Adequate calcium levels in the brain activate a wide range of Ca2+-dependent processes in neurons, including neurotransmitter release, gene transcription, activation of Ca2+-dependent enzymes, and activation of some K+ and chloride channels [97,98]. For individuals on the path to alcohol recovery, enlisting professional help isn’t merely advantageous; it’s often imperative. The road to sobriety is intricate, addressing not only the halt of alcohol intake but also the underlying Oxford House Wikipedia emotional, psychological, and somatic afflictions linked with addiction. Chronic drinkers are often deficient in several B vitamins including thiamin, folate, B-6, and B-12 because of toxic effects of alcohol on the mucosal lining of the stomach and small intestine that interfere with normal absorption. This post is the sixth in a series on non-pharmacologic approaches for managing symptoms related to alcohol and drug abuse and withdrawal and decreasing the risk of relapse.

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It is believed that selenium counteracts the effects of oxidative stress mainly by GPx [159]. Low serum Se levels have been confirmed many times in patients with hepatic complications as well as in alcohol-dependent patients [151,160,161,162,163]. The development of hypomagnesemia inhibits the release and induces peripheral resistance to parathyroid hormone, leading to hypocalcemia [94]. To reverse this process, the restoring of the physiological magnesium levels is inherent. Vitamin D deficiency is also an important risk factor for hypocalcemia, like alcohol-related steatorrhea or rhabdomyolysis. Alcoholic metabolic acidosis occurring in almost half of patients is manifested by an increased anion gap, which is the result of the accumulation of ketoacids, lactic acid, acetic acid, or indirect loss of bicarbonate through urine [45,46].

  • The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms.
  • The patients received orally for 8 weeks either a daily dose of 500 mg (20 mmol) of Mg tablets divided in two tablets (250 mg each) or matching placebo tablets.
  • Alcohol-modulated zinc transporter modulation has recently been shown to be one of the causes of decreased Zn levels in the lungs, liver, intestines, and brain [89].
  • Even worse, many of these individuals are predisposed to becoming dangerously magnesium-deficient.

Understanding magnesium’s importance highlights the need to maintain optimal levels, which dietary and lifestyle factors, such as alcohol consumption, can influence. In intention-to-treat-analyses, there were no significant differences between the Mg-treated and placebo groups in the outcome variables (data not shown). Of the completers, 27 patients were in the treatment group and 31 in the control group. Respectively, 502 or 16.6% and 749 or 21.6% of all trial tablets were returned.

Magnesium Benefits Before Consuming Alcohol

Chronic alcohol abuse patients are malnourished not only because of a diet low in nutrients but also because alcohol impairs the absorption of essential nutrients and elements. In addition, ethanol metabolic pathways produce toxic metabolites (acetaldehyde and free radicals) that lead to cell damage as a result of oxidative stress [6,7]. Eligible outpatients admitted to Töölö A-Clinic and Detoxification https://g-markets.net/sober-living/14-reasons-being-sober-makes-your-life-better/ Unit (Töölön A-klinikka ja katkaisuhoitoasema in Finnish) in Helsinki, Finland, were invited to the study when they were about to complete their treatment for alcohol withdrawal symptoms. This unit treats out-patients with mild-to-moderate alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Day care activities included counseling, rest, recreational activities and medication, usually decreasing doses of benzodiazepines.

  • Circulating magnesium exists in the ionized state, the most interesting with respect to physiological properties, and in the undissociated form [3,4,35].
  • There is a need to summarize the knowledge about the metabolism of magnesium in chronic alcohol-use disorder.
  • In this study, only a self-report questionnaire was used to assess the symptoms of depression in patients.

This compound keeps neurons healthy, which means that a magnesium deficiency can lead to neuronal damage, depression symptoms, and a long list of other health problems. Magnesium that is naturally present in food and beverages is not harmful and does not need to be limited. However, magnesium in dietary supplements and medications should not be consumed in amounts above the upper limit, unless recommended by a health care provider.

Promising findings for certain B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium and zinc.

Tell your doctor, pharmacist, and other health care providers about any dietary supplements and prescription or over-the-counter medicines you take. They can tell you if the dietary supplements might interact with your medicines or if the medicines might interfere with how your body absorbs, uses, or breaks down nutrients. High intakes of magnesium from dietary supplements and medications can cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping. Extremely high intakes of magnesium can lead to irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest. The more alcohol one drinks and the duration of time, the more the magnesium supplies in the body are depleted. This is why as you get older if alcohol has been a constant, presumably so will the increase in aches and pains, irritability, anxiety and depression.

However, some people may experience side effects such as
diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps. It is important to follow the
recommended dosage and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any
concerns. To maximize the benefits of magnesium supplementation, it is recommended to
take it after consuming alcohol. This allows the magnesium to replenish
depleted levels and support your body’s recovery process.

How much magnesium do I need?

Similarly, a deficiency of Zn in lung epithelium and alveolar macrophages reduces the function of the pulmonary barrier, causing respiratory distress syndrome. Finally, impaired bowel and liver function causes the accumulation of neurotoxic metabolites, which can play a significant role in alcoholic brain damage. There is also a hypothesis that ethanol-induced Zn deficiency may interfere with neurotransmission. Macronutrients and trace elements are important components of living tissues that have different metabolic properties and functions. Trace elements participate in the regulation of immunity through humoral and cellular mechanisms, nerve conduction, muscle spasms, membrane potential regulation as well as mitochondrial activity and enzymatic reactions.

magnesium and alcoholism

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