Over the holiday period, it can be easy to over-indulge with alcohol and food you wouldn’t normally eat – people increase their intake of party foods which are typically high in fat, salt and sugar.
In the modern internet world there is an overwhelming amount of information; it can be hard for you to find health advice that you can trust, particularly as the main media channels are typically dominated with a single, orthodox narrative.
That’s why we always take an evidence-based approach, orientated towards a holistic and Personalised Health approach, and aim to provide you with actionable knowledge and tips to help you on your journey to optimal health.
In this article we take a look at some vitamin and mineral supplements you can take in order to help you stay healthy as you navigate this festive time.
Vitamins to help with alcohol
It is common to over-indulge in alcohol during the holidays, with routine out of synch, and an increase in social gatherings and family get togethers.
Try to switch alcoholic drinks for soft, or at least alternate, and don’t overdo it regularly. But, it is useful to know that there are certain vitamins and minerals you can take in order to stay healthier and help to compensate for over-indulgence.
Alcohol is known to destroy B vitamins in the body; one option to replace these is by taking B vitamin supplements.
There are eight nutrients in the B vitamin group, all of which are essential for various functions in the body, including the release of energy from foods, healthy muscle and nerve tissue, healthy skin and hair, supporting digestion and haemoglobin (red blood cell) formation which carries oxygen around the body.
Vitamin C is also a useful supplement to take; alcohol consumption depletes vitamin C in body tissue, so it’s important to increase the amount you take into your body to ensure levels remain normal.
A fizzy, soluble vitamin C tablet in the morning after drinking can also help to restore your hydration levels.
Multivitamins are useful as alcohol is damaging and can strip your body of many essential vitamins and minerals. Choose a supplement that includes essential minerals as well as vitamins.
Replacing these vitamins and minerals can help you be healthier over the festive party season.
Supplements for the festive season
Fibre can help support your digestion at a time when you’ll probably be eating more than usual.
Fibre is essential for helping your body to rid itself of what is left behind after all the good and useful nutrients have been absorbed by the body.
You can easily increase your fibre intake by eating more high fibre foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and pulses.
Potassium is essential for recovery of the body – indulge in a banana, naturally high in potassium, or take a multivitamin containing potassium.
One supplement commonly associated with offsetting the effects of alcohol is milk thistle, which is great for supporting liver function. Milk thistle comes in either a capsule form or as a tincture.
Don’t forget your water
Alcohol and eating unhealthy foods can cause dehydration – to stay feeling healthy over the Christmas period, make sure you drink plenty of water, at least two litres per day, to help flush out toxins.
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