Do B Vitamins Improve Cognition & Memory in Alcohol Abuse Recovery?

Alcoholism is a deadly disease. The damaging effects of excessive drinking on the body are multifold, including in organs such as the brain, heart, liver, and pancreas, the weakening of the immune system, and possibly increasing the risk of cancer. Included in the physical toll on the body, alcohol abuse also causes a depletion of certain vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fatty acids, causing serious symptoms affecting cognitive, physical, and mental health.

Vitamins B-1, B-3, and B-6 are related, directly or indirectly, to the metabolizing of alcohol in the body. They are also the first nutrients to get exhausted due to unnecessary alcohol consumption. Symptoms of a vitamin B complex deficiency are cracks on the side of the mouth, confusion, rash, depression, and susceptibility to infections.

In addition, vitamin B-12 (riboflavin) functions and is affected by excessive drinking. Alcohol can cause glutathione depletion, which reduces the liver's ability to metabolize the alcohol, and B-12 function relies on glutathione. Symptoms of the deficiency of vitamin B-12 are weakness, tiredness, light-headedness, rapid heartbeat, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, stomach upset and weight loss, diarrhea, or constipation.

When vitamin B levels are compromised, cognitive functions follow. Vitamin B has been shown to slow brain atrophy by lowering the amino acid and homocysteine concentrations. Adequate vitamin B function is necessary for cognitive health, including general cognitive function and memory.

Other symptoms of compromised vitamin B levels due to alcoholism are:

• Vitamin B-1 deficiency: depression, irritability, neurological and cardiac disorders

• Vitamin B-2 deficiency: depression

• Vitamin B-3 deficiency: anxiety, depression, and fatigue

• Vitamin B-6 deficiency: formation of neurotransmitters disrupted

• The deficiency of vitamin B-12 means depression

• Folic acid deficiency also means depression

• Pantothenic acid deficiency: fatigue, chronic stress, and depression

A deficiency in the essential nutrient thiamine due to chronic alcohol abuse is a factor behind alcohol-induced brain damage. When someone abuses alcohol, and their body begins to become depleted in B vitamins, the liver decreases its supply of these nutrients, and the bloodstream is called upon to replenish the supply. Once the body cells are deprived of essential nutrients, normal body functions will begin to suffer.

An alcoholic who then attempts to stop drinking may begin to experience withdrawal symptoms that are caused by these vitamin deficiencies. Common withdrawal symptoms are:

• Anxiety

• Insomnia

• Tremors

• Shakiness

• Dizziness

• Depression

• Impaired cognitive function

• Poor memory

Cognitive function in a person who is seriously depleted in these vitamins can be improved by supplementing the diet with a vitamin B complex in the form of a shot or pills in addition to a healthy diet. Vitamin B-12 can be found primarily in meat and dairy products; vitamin B-6 can be found in fish, poultry, liver, potatoes, and non-citrus fruit; vitamins B-1 can be found in breakfast cereals and whole grains; B-2 also can be found in whole grains, as well as in milk, eggs, and dark green vegetables. By restoring the levels of these crucial nutrients, a person recovering from alcohol abuse will benefit as the body repairs itself, leading to better absorption levels and cognitive and liver functions.