Alcohol use disorder can damage your digestive system and liver, which can cause vitamin B12 deficiency.

Vitamin B12 plays an essential role in overall well-being, especially in supporting nerve health, producing red blood cells, and synthesizing DNA. It contributes to the maintenance of a healthy brain and nervous system, facilitates DNA production, and ensures adequate red blood cell formation.

A lack of B12 can result in numerous health problems, such as anemia, exhaustion, and nerve injury.

Liver damage

Individuals who engage in excessive alcohol consumption often experience B12 deficiency.

Long-term alcohol abuse can result in significant liver inflammation, ultimately leading to liver damage. Such damage impairs the body’s capacity to absorb, store, and release B12, potentially causing macrocytosis.

Gastrointestinal Tract damage

The gastrointestinal (GI) system holds significant importance in alcohol metabolism. Primarily, it is where alcohol enters the bloodstream, while it also plays a minor role in alcohol metabolism and production.

The direct exposure of alcoholic drinks to the mucous membranes of the upper gastrointestinal tract can trigger various metabolic and functional shifts. These changes may cause significant damage to the mucosa, potentially resulting in a wide range of both acute and chronic conditions, including acute gastrointestinal bleeding from injuries in the stomach or small intestine, as well as diarrhea.

Alterations in gut function and mucosal injury disrupt the digestion and absorption of various nutrients, leading to malnutrition and weight loss commonly seen in individuals with alcoholism.

Mucosal damage

Mucosal damage caused by alcohol, particularly in the upper small intestine, facilitates the entry of large molecules like endotoxins and various bacterial toxins into the bloodstream or lymphatic system. These harmful substances can negatively impact the liver and other organs.

Muscle damage

Upon consumption, alcoholic drinks travel through different parts of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. As a result, alcohol can disrupt both the structure and the functioning of these GI segments. For instance, it may weaken the muscles that separate the esophagus from the stomach, increasing the likelihood of experiencing heartburn.

Acid production

Alcohol disrupts gastric acid production and affects the muscles in the stomach. Likewise, it can hinder muscle contractions in both the small and large intestines, which often leads to the diarrhea commonly seen in individuals who consume alcohol excessively.

Nutrient absorption

Additionally, alcohol interferes with nutrient uptake in the small intestine and enhances the movement of toxins through the intestinal barriers, which may play a role in causing alcohol-induced harm to the liver and other bodily organs.

Damaged sections of the intestinal tract can significantly impair the absorption of several key nutrients. Specifically, malabsorption can affect the absorption of proteins, fats, sugars, vitamins, and minerals. If the ileum (the final part of the small intestine) is damaged, fat-soluble vitamin A, D, E, K) and vitamin B12 may be poorly absorbed.

Summary

Alcohol:

  • travels to various parts of the GI tract
  • can damage the structure of the GI tract
  • can increase heartburn
  • can affect muscle contractions in the intestines.
  • can lead to diarrhea
  • interferes with nutrient absorption
  • increases the intake of toxins through weakening the intestinal barriers

Reasons for malabsorption

There are various factors that can lead to B12 malabsorption.

Factors include:

  • alcohol use
  • Crohn’s disease
  • celiac disease
  • hemolytic anemia
  • bacterial overgrowth
  • certain cancers
  • bariatric surgery
  • intestinal parasites
  • certain medications (proton pump inhibitors, some acid reflux medications, some chemotherapy agents, and colchicine).
  • a vegan diet

Improving vitamin B12 levels

To improve vitamin B12 levels after a period of excessive alcohol use, you may want to carry out the following:

  • Ask your GP to carry out blood tests
  • Plan how you will quit or cut down on alcohol
  • Plan how you can improve levels through diet or supplementation

Testing for vitamin B12 deficiency

Testing vitamin B12 levels will establish wether alcohol has caused a deficiency.

To assess for a deficiency in vitamin B12, medical professionals usually request a blood test measuring Vitamin B12 levels along with a complete blood count (CBC).

The CBC evaluates anemia and the morphology of red blood cells, which can signal a B12 deficiency.

If the initial results are unclear, further tests such as Methylmalonic acid (MMA) and homocysteine levels may be performed.

When alcohol consumption is believed to contribute to this condition, the individual might be requested to take a liver function test. This test can help identify or eliminate the liver as the cause of the person’s B12 deficiency.

Cut out or cut down alcohol

There are various tried and tested methods to succesfully quit or cut back on alcohol.

Check your drinking

Check your alcohol use using our alcohol use questionnare.

Sober tracking

Free with every purchase of Desistal, a sobriety tracking calender can be used to keep track of your drinking and motivate you to stay sober.

Counselling

Counselling can assist clients in gaining insight into their addiction, creating effective coping strategies, and establishing a strong support system of individuals who will aid in their success. For those facing challenges with drug or alcohol dependence, personal therapy can play a crucial role in the recovery process.

Support groups

They connect individuals with fresh contacts and expand their network. Peer groups offer a chance to acquire new problem-solving techniques by observing how fellow members tackle challenges and navigate obstacles in their paths to recovery.

Diet and supplementation

Liver supplementation

Desistal’s ‘Liver Formula’ are supplements designed to increase B12 levels while supporting those recovering from alcohol use disorder, or periods of excessive alcohol intake.

Diet

Vitamin B12 is mainly present in animal-based foods like meat, fish, chicken, eggs, and dairy items. While plant-based foods typically lack vitamin B12, some are enriched with it, including certain breakfast cereals and nutritional yeast.

Summary

Excessive alcohol use can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency due to it’s determental effect on the gastrointestinal tract and liver.

Stopping or cutting down alcohol levels whilst incorporating dietry changes or supplementation may increase B12 levels.