Nutrition in Alcohol Use Disorder Recovery: Considerations for Improving Outcomes

Nutrition has been found to play a role in various forms of mental illness including depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, research on how nutrition might influence alcohol use disorder (AUD) recovery is largely absent. Certain nutrients that are known to facilitate enhanced neuroplasticity by increasing the expression of two neurotrophins, BDNF and GDNF, may assist in recovery from AUD. These nutrients include omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, zinc, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. A short review of the literature is presented. To gain insight into the nutritional status of the foods offered at alcohol rehabilitation centers in the United States a preliminary investigation was performed and results are shared in this paper