When Booze Meets Boosts: Alcohol and Supplements – What Every Drinker Should Know

Alcohol is a huge part of social lives around the world. From the growing importance of social life and social media trends to lifestyle exploration, alcohol consumption, whether little, moderate, or high, has drastically increased among populations across countries globally.

While some suggest that moderate alcohol consumption may be beneficial, the World Health Organization (WHO) asserts that no level of alcohol is safe for our health. Alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive substance that can lead to dependence and has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. This classification denotes the highest risk group and includes substances like asbestos, radiation, and tobacco. Alcohol is linked to at least seven types of cancer, including common forms such as bowel cancer and breast cancer in women. Ethanol (the active ingredient in alcohol) contributes to cancer through biological mechanisms as it breaks down in the body. Therefore, any beverage containing alcohol, regardless of its price or quality, carries a risk of developing cancer.

While alcohol’s health risks are well-documented, many still drink occasionally. If you do, here are supplements that may help mitigate the damage.

Robert W. B. Love, PhD, is a neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and public-facing educator.

Dr. Love is one of the most-watched neuroscientists on the planet, with over 400 million views and 5 million followers across social media platforms. Alzheimer’s disease is a very personal issue for Dr. Love, as two of his grandparents had dementia, and he is committed to helping his parents prevent the disease. He recently published an article in The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, the top journal in the field.

Dr. Love discusses the supplements one should consider while consuming alcohol in his recent Instagram video. He also reflects on his relationship with alcohol, having been a frequent drinker during his undergraduate days.

He recommends the following supplements:

Dr. Love claims to take activated charcoal from coconut, especially to reduce the absorption of alcohol into the brain. The carbons in the charcoal bind with alcohol, thereby reducing its absorption. He advises taking it either before, during, or after drinking to reduce the harmful effects alcohol can have on the brain and body.

According to Dr. Love, selenium is a precursor to glutathione, an antioxidant that is highly needed to fight oxidative stress. Taking selenium supplements helps the body obtain the cofactor that assists the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which supports the production of glutathione. Glutathione helps fight and repair damage caused by free radicals from oxidative stress and aids in the body’s detoxification. He also recommends taking it in low quantities for effective results.

Dr. Love recommends taking L-tyrosine, a precursor that helps in the production of dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter involved in motivation, focus, reward, and pleasure. A dopamine spike is also observed with caffeine intake, such as when drinking coffee. Lion’s Mane, a type of mushroom, helps reduce stress and anxiety and supports neuroplasticity. Supplementing with both L-tyrosine and Lion’s Mane may help increase dopamine production, which in turn boosts focus, motivation, pleasure, and stress reduction.

Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you consume alcohol regularly or take medications.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sai Vinthiyaa Gopinath)