My husband drinks alcohol regularly, and has now been under the weather for more than 5 weeks. I suspect his immune system in not in a good state. He is not an alcoholic I'm glad to say, but still, a whiskey of an evening, a few pints in the pub before lunch, all add up.
I vaguely remember reading somewhere that, to counteract the effects of alcohol (and too much coffee as well) you can take certain vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A? Zinc? What else can I offer him (as he is resistant to the idea of drinking less ...)?:rolleyes:
I what way are you planning to counteract the effects of alcohol? which effects are we talking about here?
I doubt very much there's any that can counteract the intoxicating effects of alcohol. More likely the alcohol will just aid getting vitamins etc. into the bloodstream quicker.
I would recommend you encourage your husband to get advice from his GP - especially if he is reluctant/unwilling to change his current habbits. It may be that he would benefit from simple 'abstinence' or a trial period of time without alcohol (a month would make a huge difference) - simply to give his liver a rest. Stick to low/no sugar fluids, or bog basic water. There is little point in adding vitamins and minerals to the system, if he's still taking in the alcohol.
I disagree, I think that Anne Mary is trying to do what she can. A good multi vitamin would obviously help and milk thistle to support the liver for a start.
A few pints at lunchtime may be able to be cut back a bit, especially as thirst and dehydration may be a cause here. What else does he drink that is not alcoholic?
I doubt very much there's any that can counteract the intoxicating effects of alcohol. More likely the alcohol will just aid getting vitamins etc. into the bloodstream quicker.
Energylz, I didn't mean to counteract the intoxicating effects. I meant to counteract the depletion of vitamins and minerals which longer term alcohol use causes. I just read that one of the things it depletes, apart from vit A, is vitamin B - some of which help the immune system. He used to eat a lot of marmite but has got out of the habit. I got him to start again now!
What else does he drink that is not alcoholic?
He drinks loads of tea and two coffees a day. All things I haven't touched for decades. Foodwise we are also opposites, and we even cook apart half the time.
In general it is good to go with your instincts foodwise, as long as they don't include marsbars .....
My husband drinks alcohol regularly, and has now been under the weather for more than 5 weeks. I suspect his immune system in not in a good state. He is not an alcoholic I'm glad to say, but still, a whiskey of an evening, a few pints in the pub before lunch, all add up.
I vaguely remember reading somewhere that, to counteract the effects of alcohol (and too much coffee as well) you can take certain vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A? Zinc? What else can I offer him (as he is resistant to the idea of drinking less ...)?:rolleyes:
I guess it depends on what you mean by 'drinks regularly' - I drink regularly. I get through a bottle of ginger wine a year. It's regular. But I guess you don't mean that. If he's regularly drinking 'too much' (more than 4 units a day, more than 21 a week - and a unit isn't a lot) then he will be damaging his liver. Yes, a multi-vitamin and/or milk thistle might help, but it's not going to counteract the total effects of the alcohol.
Alcohol depletes the body of just about all minerals and vitamins, particularly thiamine and magnesium (I'm not an expert. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.)
If he's drinking too much and is 'resistant to the idea of drinking less' then he has an alcohol problem, whether you are prepared to call it 'alcoholism' or not. But there's not a lot you can do about that unless he accepts it himself. In the end, the best you can give him is probably love and compassion and space to realise himself what he needs.
He can stop, now and then, when he feels he needs it. The rest of the time he drinks maybe one drink an evening 2 out of three days, and 2-3 times a week he goes to the pub where he drinks usually 3 pints before lunch. So, not too much I think, but I don't drink at all and don't like him doing it. But I tend to eat too much, so I have my own little struggles, which I remind myself of regularly.
He likes doing things his own way, and milk thistle is not, I think, one of them.
At least I got him back on the marmite, and if I get more than one beta-carotene tablet into him I'll be proud. He eats well, plenty of greens, and loves mackerel and lots of butter. We grow our own so there is always lots to go round, and to eat before it bolts.
Thanks for your reactions - there are lots of worse things than my little issue!
Three pints is at least 6 units. (I say 'at least' because many beers are stronger.) That is over the daily limit. Add in a whiskey, let's say 4 times a week. 25ml is one unit (take a look at how little that is - I've never known anyone pour themselves less than 75ml in a drink taken at home. But okay, let's say he's really careful and only has 50ml. That's 8 units a week from whiskey and maybe 18 from beer. 26 a week.
A little bit too much then. Well, see above: he likes doing things his own way and I'm no saint! But some gentle advise usually helps. Thank you!
I like a drink but three pints before lunch? That would be way over 6 units unless he had a weak lager, and he will obviously be over the limit to drive in case that is a factor?
Have a look at this click on calculator
He cycles. He cycled 100 miles two weeks ago, just on a morning and a bit of an afternoon, so he can't be in that bad a shape .....
xA
Yes of course, but cycling does not really give any indication of any problelms that may be internal? And you do know you can breathalised and then charged with drunk in charge of a bicycle!
And you do know you can breathalised and then charged with drunk in charge of a bicycle!
You'll be glad that you're not married to him then ;)! He has got his good points as well, I'm (very) glad to say....
Anne Mary I was married to someone who was convinced he was not an alcoholic. He could stop drinking for as much as 3 months at a time......but inevitably he would start again. He died of alcoholic liver disease at the age of 57. I hate to be blunt but your husband DOES have a drink problem......and you know this or you would be asking anything on here.
I suspect my post will make you angry..........but please believe I am speaking with the best of intentions. I too deluded myself about my husbands drink problem.
No I'm not angry but the thing is, I can only do so much. Nagging does not work, on the contrary. He has a mind of his own! By the way, his ideal death is to be killed on his bike .... whether that will be drunk or not we shall see.