Are you struggling to overcome alcohol addiction? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people misuse alcohol. Fortunately, there are many different ways to overcome this addiction, including rehab and therapy.
However, did you know that there are also natural compounds that can help with detox? It’s true! Anything from the herbal supplement Ashwagandha to the compounds in a rainbow assortment of fruits and vegetables can help your body recover from alcohol abuse.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best natural compounds for alcohol detox. We’ll also give you some tips on how to incorporate these into your diet or supplement regimen.
But first, let us go over a few little-known facts that can be quite helpful during your detox journey. Note, always talk to your doctor before taking any vitamins or herbal supplements or trying out new exercises.
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Give Your Liver Some TLC
Your liver is your friend. Alcohol abuse is the same as liver abuse, which takes a toll on this hardworking organ. In fact, alcoholism is the leading cause of liver disease in the United States. The good news is that your liver has an amazing ability to regenerate itself. Just give it some time and plenty of TLC, and it will come back stronger than ever.
Milk thistle contains silymarin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. Medical research shows that silymarin is responsible for keeping toxins from adhering to liver cells and keeping free radicals under control. Studies also demonstrate the inflammatory properties of silymarin may help promote cell repair and keep inflammation in check.
How Long Does It Take Alcohol to Exit the Body?
This is a common question that people ask when they’re trying to detox from alcohol. The answer, unfortunately, is that it depends. It takes anywhere from one to four days for alcohol to exit the body. However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll be completely sober after just a few days. Alcohol can stay in your system for up to 30 days, and it can take weeks or even months to feel like your old self again.
How to Naturally Remove Alcohol from Your System
Binge drinking and consuming alcohol in excess can be extremely harmful to your health. If you are wanting to remove alcohol from your system, the first step is, of course, to quit drinking. Meanwhile, there are other actions you can take to speed up the process of removing alcohol from your system.
For example, you can:
- Drink plenty of water (green tea is helpful too)
- Eat healthy foods (including those with natural detox compounds)
- Exercise regularly
- Get enough sleep
- Take supplements
4 Natural Alcohol Detox Compounds
If you’re ready to get started on your road to recovery, read on about these natural alcohol compounds.
1. Sam-E
SAM-e is a natural compound that helps to regulate hormones and neurotransmitters and even facilitates the maintenance of cell membranes.
SAM-e boosts the production of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters are depleted by heavy, long-term alcohol consumption. In addition to balancing the brain, SAM-e has been shown in studies to help repair liver damage.
Clinical trials have shown that SAM-e is as effective as prescription antidepressants, with fewer side effects. This makes SAM-e a good option if alcohol withdrawal is causing depression.
2. Hemp-Derived CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound found in industrial hemp. It does not contain THC, will not get you high, and is currently regarded as legal in all 50 states.
In a 2018 study, alcoholic rats given a non-THC version of CBD oil reduced their alcohol-seeking behaviors and prevented high impulsivity often seen with alcohol withdrawal. A 1-week administration of CBD oil produced these effects for 5 months, even though CBD itself left their systems after 3 days. (source)
CBD is known to reduce the presence of pro-inflammatory compounds in the body and brain, removing a major roadblock to the production of feel-good brain chemicals.
There are many exciting anecdotal reports about the use of CBD for alcohol withdrawal, but more studies are needed before we can say that CBD has proven benefits for people struggling with alcohol addiction. With that said, CBD is an absolute favorite of my private coaching clients.
3. DHM
DHM is a flavonoid found in the fruit of the oriental raisin tree (hovenia dulcis). Recent studies have found that DHM can effectively treat symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, largely by blocking alcohol’s effects on GABA receptors.
DHM is most widely used as a hangover cure. Research suggests that this herb reduces inflammation throughout the body and directly neutralizes alcohol’s toxic byproducts, including acetaldehyde. This can be just as useful for someone trying to taper off of alcohol as for someone who parties too much!
In addition to enhancing alcohol clearance and alcohol metabolic enzymes, DHM has a direct and complex interaction with GABA-A receptors that likely accounts for many of its anti-alcohol effects. (source)
4. Fruits
The high amount of fiber contained in fruit can regulate your hunger and blood sugar levels. Even better, when your body begins craving sweets, you can turn to fruit to keep your stomach from feeling too heavy. Another reason to choose fruit is that it’ll be packed with antioxidant vitamins, and it’ll also keep you hydrated.
Some of the best fruits to eat during alcohol detox include:
- Peaches
- Berries
- Bananas
- Melon
- Citrus
Natural Compounds for Alcohol Detox
Detoxing from alcohol can be difficult, but it’s worth it. After all, alcohol can damage your liver, but you can reverse these negative effects by getting clean. Although it may take weeks or even months to feel like your old self again, the day you quit drinking alcohol will be the same day you take a huge step in the right direction.
There are many healthy things you can ingest to help you with alcohol detox, including fruits, DHM, CBD and Sam-E. Whether you choose your favorite or use all five, these natural compounds will make it much easier to succeed. Fit Recovery provides a free 10-Day Alcohol Freedom Challenge. Rather than make you feel bad with guilt or shame, Fit Recovery knows it’s not your fault. Instead, we’ll give you the social, psychological, and spiritual techniques needed to help you make a full recovery!
