All natural body detox for body cleansing and complete mind rejuvenation

 

If we hear the word toxin, we erroneously think of poison in a marked bottled or a drug or alcohol. Indeed, toxins are poisonous, but they're not necessarily labeled if they enter our body in a lot of tiny and perhaps unthinkable ways. Imagine how tiny and invisible microbes are and that they may penetrate into our pores. And daily exposure to street life lets you  meet all sorts of air pollution. If germs may enter your body through really minor openings, how much more to total exposure where viruses may easily enter?

So what happens when the body is overladen with pollutants? Well, it’s not as easy as just getting sick. Mind processing is significantly impacted and all the rest of your body. Pollutants block or decelerate the delivery of required nutrients and oxygen to all areas of the body. And as the brain is the major consumer of oxygen, it has the tendency to be damaged. Have you noticed that after doing a high-pressure mental work, you feel really fatigued even when you were just sitting for hours? It's because the brain may sometimes overrule the whole body. So if there are lots of toxins in you, your brain becomes sluggish also.

And much of the time, it’s hard to protect ourselves to the extent of being disease-proof. While the body supplies its own system of healing, we have to take care of it and help it work better. That's why we have to detoxify. Detoxification helps in rejuvenation of the brain as much as it cleans the body. All of this is great for recovery.

The best way to detoxify is the natural way - through proper diet. In this method of cleansing, you cut back your intake of junk. This means that you have to avoid products that block your filtering system. These products are fats, alcohol, caffeine, and artificial additives. While you stay away from these foods, you substitute them with simple to digest fruits and veggies. They're not only rich in vitamins, but they supplement the body with vitality boosting nutrients.  The fibers in fruits and veggies toss the toxins out.

In detoxification, fasting for a short period will catalyze the procedure. Naturally this should be done under the supervision of your dietician or physician. During the process, solid foods are avoided. Your intake is entirely made of fruit juice and herbal teas. Fasting decreases the stress on the digestive system. By emptying the stomach, toxins are likewise flushed out of the body. And the liquids that you take keep you from starving. All the same, fasting is quite harsh so it's advised that a doctor be consulted first.

In addition to fruit juices, a few supplements are recommended for safety. To name a few are the fermented soybeans and algae powder. Fermented soy beans support the colon function and help produce the great intestinal bacteria which are major proponents of the inner cleansing procedure. In parallel, the algae powder gives you the feeling of being full. It adds ample protein to ease the fatigue that some individuals experience during fasting.

Detoxification in the whole is a matter of a good system of living as well as help you get started on the path to recovery.

Announcing Our First Book

Announcing Our First Book

“Nutrition For Recovering Addicts”

Helpful Information To Speed Your Recovery With Nutrition !

• What You Need To Know About the Killer Drug…Crystal Meth!
• Snacks and Meal Suggestions...
• Superfoods to Combat Cirrhosis and Clean Up the Liver.
• Recovery Foods Highest In Phenylalanine.
• Spirituality and Recovery-Nutrition for the Soul!
• The Foods To Detox The Liver.
• Much MORE!

Let’s face it… Everybody who's on the path of development and growth to fight an addiction peters out of steam every once in a while. In recovery, we call this complacency and it can happen fast if the body doesn't have the right nutrition.

What we have discovered with addicts and alcoholics, is that we're either advancing forward in our recovery, or we're stagnating our way back toward a relapse. There's no “treading water” when it concerns our progress – we must keep pushing ourselves to get strong both physically and mentally.

Check it out here today to help speed your recovery.

How Addicts Can Love Themselves At Valentines Day Through Diet

Since meth addiction and recovery is becoming an issue for more and more people, people are looking for ways to end the horrible cycle. There are some simple things you can do to make your recovery easier, and at the same time you will be showing yourself some love at Valentines Day.

One way to show yourself some love is to provide your body with healthy food. Like lots of us you may have not been taught healthy food habits, and while you were using you Sure weren’t eating healthy. Learn some new healthy food habits, and you can give a little love to yourself and your body.

There's a lot of new good information in healthy eating habits. You don’t have to starve yourself. This is important for those who are worried that they will put on a little weight and where using drugs to stay thin. As well, it’s said now that you don't even have to avoid fats or carbohydrates. In fact, the right fats and carbohydrates are actually needed to strengthen your body.

To love yourself at Valentines Day, or any other day, with a healthy diet can be simple. Eat the right foods at the right time. The following are some simple tips you can get started with immediately:

• Be sure to drink plenty of pure water. This means ounces per day equaling half of your body weight.
• Be sure to eat 5 meals per day, smaller ones that are highly nutritious.
• Be sure to eat high fiber foods like berries, apples, brown rice and nuts. This will also help with liver detox.
• Be sure to eat good fats with essential fatty acids.
• Be sure to eat good carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also good for detox.
• Be sure to check with your doctor before starting a new eating plan.

Making good changes in your eating habits may be more difficult after having bad ones for a while, but it is not impossible. The most important reason it is not impossible is because the fear of illness is one of the strongest motivators for humans. Illness is a certainty if we don’t take good care of ourselves during recovery, whether it be in the form of physical sickness or relapse.

Healthy eating will not only aid in your recovery from meth or whatever substance abuse problem you are struggling with, but it will lead to improving your overall health. By improving your health, you have a greater chance of not having a relapse.
As always….believe in yourself and Expect the best!

Foods Highest In Phenylalanine For Meth Recovery Series (Nuts and Seeds)

There has been a recent discovery that using Phenylalanine in a nutrition plan for recovering meth addicts helps to restore the brain chemicals Norepinephrine and Dopamine.

This can also be termed as amino acid therapy. Essential amino acids can counteract the symptoms of depression, low energy, lack of focus and concentration. The expected behavior changes when restoring these depleted amino acids are: reduced cravings, reduced depression, increased energy and improved mental focus for the recovering meth addict.



Nuts and Seeds highest in Phenylalanine for meth recovery:

• Seeds, cottonseed flour, low fat (glandless) Phenylalanine: 1870mg
• Seeds, cottonseed meal, partially defatted (glandless) Phenylalanine: 1666mg
• Seeds, sesame flour, low-fat Phenylalanine: 1596mg
• Seeds, sunflower seed flour, partially defatted Phenylalanine: 1513mg
• Seeds, cottonseed flour, partially defatted (glandless) Phenylalanine: 1421mg
• Seeds, sesame flour, partially defatted Phenylalanine: 1119mg
• 
  

Recipe for foods containing Phenylalanine for meth recovery:

Flax and Sunflower Seed Bread

INGREDIENTS

• 1/3 cups water
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1 1/3 cups whole wheat bread flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup flax seeds
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds

DIRECTIONS

1. Place all ingredients (except sunflower seeds) in the pan of a bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select basic white cycle; press start. Add the sunflower seeds when the alert sounds during the knead cycle.



Some recovering meth addicts may decide to work directly with a nutritionist. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) web site can help you locate a nutritionist for your area.

Lists of more foods high in Phenylalanine for the proper nutrition for the recovering meth addict will be examined in later parts of this series.

Foods Highest In Phenylalanine For Meth Recovery Series (Vegatables)

The use of Phenylalanine is useful in the nutrition for recovering meth addicts by restoring the brain chemicals Norepinephrine and Dopamine.

These amino acids can counteract the symptoms of depression, low energy, lack of focus and concentration. The expected behavior changes when restoring these depleted amino acids are: anti-craving, anti-depression, increased energy and improved mental focus for the recovering meth addict.

To increase the effects of amino-acid nutritional therapy with Phenylalanine for a recovering met addict, the use of a multi-vitamin/mineral formula is recommended. Many vitamins and minerals serve as co-factors in repairing neurotransmitters. They also serve to restore general balance, vitality and well-being to a recovering meth addict who typically is in a state of poor nutritional health.

Vegetables highest in Phenylalanine for meth recovery:

• Seaweed, spirulina, raw Phenylalanine: 2200mg
• Watercress, raw Phenylalanine: 2073mg
• Seaweed, spirulina, dried Phenylalanine: 1915mg
• Pumpkin leaves, raw Phenylalanine: 1800mg
• Seaweed, laver, raw Phenylalanine: 1560mg
• Horseradish-tree leafy tips, raw Phenylalanine: 1522mg
• Beans, kidney, mature seeds, sprouted, cooked, boiled, drained, Phenylalanine: 1473mg
• Beans, kidney, mature seeds, sprouted, raw Phenylalanine: 1462mg
• Spinach, frozen, chopped or leaf, unprepared Phenylalanine: 1428mg
• Turnip greens, frozen, cooked, boiled, drained, Phenylalanine: 1421mg
• Pumpkin leaves, cooked, boiled, drained, Phenylalanine: 1409mg
• Turnip greens, frozen, unprepared Phenylalanine: 1382mg
• Swamp cabbage, (skunk cabbage), raw Phenylalanine: 1337mg
• Jute, potherb, raw Phenylalanine: 1247mg
• Spinach, frozen, chopped or leaf, cooked, boiled, drained, Phenylalanine: 1241mg
• Turnip greens, canned, solids and liquids Phenylalanine: 1186mg
• Spinach, cooked, boiled, drained, Phenylalanine: 1165mg
• Broccoli raab, raw [Broccoli rabe, Rapini] Phenylalanine: 1164mg
• Chard, swiss, raw Phenylalanine: 1158mg
• Amaranth leaves, raw Phenylalanine: 1157mg
• Turnip greens and turnips, frozen, unprepared Phenylalanine: 1152mg
• Chard, swiss, cooked, boiled, drained, Phenylalanine: 1140mg
• Spinach, raw Phenylalanine: 1121mg
• Spinach, canned, drained solids Phenylalanine: 1104mg

Recipe for foods containing Phenylalanine for meth recovery:

Bay Scallops with Spinach

Ingredients:

2 lbs of fresh spinach, stemmed and washed, not dried.

1 lb of bay scallops.

3 large cloves of garlic, peeled.

¼ cup of chicken stock

2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.

2 teaspoons of olive oil.

2 teaspoons of salt.

1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest.

Freshly ground pepper, to taste.

Preparation Instructions:

Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Add the garlic and lemon zest and cook for 20 seconds, stirring continuously.

Add the spinach and toss occasionally until wilted.

Drain off the liquid and season with 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Keep warm.

Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add the scallops and sauté for 1 minute or until just cooked through.

Remove the scallops from the pan and add the lemon juice and stock.

Cook, scraping the bottom of the pan, for 15 seconds.

Remove from the heat, then toss in the scallops and season with the remaining salt and pepper to taste.

On serving plates, place a mound of spinach in the middle and surround with scallops.

Some recovering meth addicts may decide to work directly with a nutritionist. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) web site can help you locate a nutritionist for your area.

Lists of more foods high in Phenylalanine for the proper nutrition for the recovering meth addict will be examined in later parts of this series.

Nutrition For Recovering Meth Addicts: Foods For Recovery Part 3

Nutritional studies recommended that people in recoveryfrom meth eat on "cruise control" throughout the day. This means eating small, frequent mini-meals--to maintain energy levels and moods more even.

Suggestions for a Diet that Promotes Meth Recovery:
1. Use the USDA's Food Guide Pyramid as a guide to prepare well-balanced meals
2. Eat 3 snacks and 3 meals per day
3. Drink decaffeinated coffee and herbal teas to decrease caffeine
4. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables
5. Eat foods made of whole grains
6. Eat more beans and grain products; limit the amount of red meat eaten. Red meats are harder to digest.
7. Eliminate or keep to a minimum foods that contain sugar and caffeine
8. Be aware of hidden sugar in cocoa, condiments, and over the counter medications
9. Be aware of caffeine in over the counter and prescribed medications

USDA's My Food Guide Pyramid Brochure can be found here in PDF format for download or visit the US Dept. Of Agriculture for more nutrition info.


Suggested Recovery-friendly Diet:
• Protein - 25%
• Carbohydrate - 45%
• Fat - 30%
• Total calories - 2,000

Sample Meal Suggestions:
• Breakfast - oatmeal muffins, pancakes, quiche, omelet, yogurt
• Lunch - Sandwiches, salads, soups
• Dinner - Soups, chowders, rice & beans, chicken and vegetables, tortillas, lasagna with vegetable
• Dessert - Yogurt, fruit


During recovery from substance abuse, dehydration is common and it is important to emphasize adequate intake of fluids during and in between meals. Appetite usually returns during recovery, which may cause a tendency to overeat, particularly for people who were taking stimulants. At the beginning of recovery weight should really not be a source of worry for most recovering addicts and weight issues may have contributed to the addiction in the first place. The person should be instructed to consume healthy meals and snacks and to avoid high-calorie foods with low nutritional value, if possible.If there is an accompanying eating disorder, this Must be addressed with a qualified professional.

Be sure to talk to your doctor or dietitian for specifics for your situation and condition. Recovering meth addicts will have different needs depending on their situation. The suggestions here are just a guideline and nutrition for the recovering meth addict should ultimately fall into the hands of a well qualified professional.

Nutrition For Recovering Meth Addicts: Foods For Recovery Part 2

Good nutrition is a vital part of the repair occurring in by the body of a person recovering from a meth addiction. Food provides nutrients necessary to meet this need. Providing three nutritious meals may not be enough. Snacks not only aid with blood sugar levels, they can play an important role to help the person in recovery to meet their nutritional needs as well as limit moods swings. Snacks can be provided midday between meals and before bedtime.

Good Snack Choices For Nutrition For Recovering Meth Addicts:
• Fresh fruit
• Canned fruit packed in its own juice
• Raw vegetables with low-fat dressing or salsa
• Popcorn (air popped preferably)
• Pretzels
• Cheese and crackers
• Low fat puddings
• Cottage cheese and fruit
• Low-fat yogurt
• Raisins and other dried fruit
• 100% fruit juice
• Low-fat frozen yogurt

Bad Snack Choices For Nutrition For Recovering Meth Addicts:
* Canned fruit in heavy syrup
* Potato chips
* Corn chips
* Ice cream
* Cookies
* Candy
* Soda pop
* Cake, donuts
* Fruit drinks, punch
* Brownies, pastries

Meth addiction and abuse ravages the body and nutrition for recovery meth addicts can play a large role in the recovery process. In following parts of this series we will look at the nutrition for a recovering meth addict in more detail as well as provide resources to get your nutritional need on track.

Nutrition For Recovering Meth Addicts: Foods For Recovery Part 1

Abusers of meth may stay up for days at a time and suffer dehydration and electrolyte imbalances during these prolonged episodes as well as liver damage and malnutrition. Meth addiction and abuse ravages the body and nutrition for recovery meth addicts can play a large role in the recovery process.

Return to normal diet can be difficult if there has been profound weight loss. Regular mealtimes are recommended daily. A meal plan that focuses on a low-fat diet, with increased intake of protein, complex carbohydrates, and dietary fiber is recommended. Due to deficiencies in vitamins caused by irregular eating habits during the period of meth abuse, supplementation with vitamins and minerals during recovery may be helpful. Specific vitamins supplementation may include B-complex, zinc, and vitamins A and C.

Make sure you're eating the right kind of fats. Yes, you do need Good fats.

Recommendations For Fats:
• Choose lean, protein-rich foods such as soy, fish, skinless chicken, very lean meat, and fat free or 1% dairy products.
• Eat foods that are naturally low in fat such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
• Get plenty of soluble fiber such as oats, bran, dry peas, beans, cereal, and rice.
• Limit fried foods, processed foods, and commercially prepared baked goods (donuts, cookies, crackers).
• Limit animal products such as egg yolks, cheeses, whole milk, cream, ice cream, and fatty meats (and large portions of meats).
• Look at food labels, especially the level of saturated fat. Avoid or limit foods high in saturated fat.
• Look on food labels for words like "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated" -- these foods are loaded with bad fats and should be avoided.
• Liquid vegetable oil, soft margarine, and trans fatty acid-free margarine are preferable to butter, stick margarine, or shortening.
Food Sources For Complex Carbohydrates:
Complex carbohydrates, often referred to as "starchy" foods, include:
• Whole grain breads and cereals
• Starchy vegetables
• Legumes

Relapse to using meth is also more likely when blood sugar levels fluctuate due to the irregular intake of food, which is why regular meals are so important. Meth addicts often forget what it's like to be hungry and instead interpret this feeling as a drug craving, so they should be encouraged to consider the possibility that they may be hungry when cravings become strong. Yet another reason why nutrition for recovering meth addicts is so important.

Foods To Help Keep Blood Sugar Normal:
Help to keep your blood sugar level steady by eating frequent meals and snacks. Health suggestions for snacks:

• Dried fruits and nuts
• Whole-grain crackers or bread with peanut butter
• Yogurt
• Fruit
• Low-fat cheese or cottage cheese
• A baked potato
• Cut veggies with low-cal dip
• A hard-boiled egg
• Hummus and pita slices

Meth addiction and abuse ravages the body and nutrition for recovery meth addicts can play a large role in the recovery process. In following parts of this series we will look at the foods, meal plans, snacks and more resources that aid in the nutrition for a recovering meth addict in more detail.

Nutrition For Recovering Meth Addicts: Restoring Liver Function Part 2

Stimulant use, including use of crack, cocaine, and methamphetamine, can result in a significant decrease in appetite, weight loss, and eventual malnutrition as well as decreased liver function. When one is trying to recover from a meth addiction, nutrition for the recovering meth addict is of utmost importance.

Liver Detox Through Foods

The liver has 2 pathways for detoxifying. Which pathway that will be used depends on the person, their liver function, substance of choice (meth and others) and general health.

Foods that activate the Phase I pathway for detox are:
• Cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
• High protein foods such as meat, fish and eggs.
• Oranges and tangerines (but not grapefruit)
• Caraway and dill seeds

Foods that activate the Phase II pathway for detox are:
• Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts.
• Asparagus, avocado, walnuts
• Fish oils
• Foods containing limonene - oranges, tangerines, caraway and dill seeds.

One of the most important detox pathways in Phase II uses the amino acid glutathione. Asparagus, watermelon, broccoli are good sources of glutathione while papayas and avocados are foods that help the body to produce glutathione. Other sources are Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, kale, bok choy, cress, mustard, horseradish, turnips, rutabagas (swede), kohlrabi, red beets.

Generally fresh fruits and vegetables contain from 25mg up to 750mg glutathione per pound so they are recommended in abundance for nutrition for recovering meth addicts.

The debate about eating meat to get the amino acids that are needed for other liver detoxification routes is active. Some authorities say that red meat is needed to detoxify chemicals but others say that the vegetarian diet with its complementary proteins such as rice with lentils or beans provide the same amino acids. There is not one diet that is right for everyone. Some people do indeed need meat and will not thrive on a vegetarian diet so talk to your doctor or dietician.

Meth addiction and abuse ravages the body and nutrition for recovery meth addicts can play a large role in the recovery process. In following parts of this series we will look at the foods, meal plans, snacks and more resources that aid in the nutrition for a recovering meth addict in more detail.

Nutrition For Recovering Meth Addicts: Restoring Liver Function Part 1

Recovery from meth abuse involves many different components, including proper organ functioning, assuring mental well being and proper metabolism.


A huge factor in the healing process is proper nutrient supply. Nutrients are essential for not only for energy, but also to keep the immune system strong. Recovery from substance abuse results in additional demands on the body -- including metabolism (processing energy), organ function, and mental well being. Restoring liver function for a recovering meth addict is very important.

Be sure to check with your doctor to make sure you will not be doing your body further damage as each person recovering from meth addiction will have different needs depending on their state of health, their period of use and how far they are into recovery.

Restoring Liver Function Through Diet

When helping the liver to recover from meth addiction try and limit the amount of dairy produce you consume, especially full-cream milk and cheese (remember this is just a short-term measure... these foods can be introduced back into your diet again after the liver detox which is recommended for 2 weeks). Also avoid starchy foods like potatoes, bread and rice.

Keep your intake of salt and saturated fats low and avoid processed foods, sugar, and caffeine. Instead, eat plenty of fish, meat, poultry, eggs, green vegetables, fruit, beans, nuts and seeds. Essential fatty acids are particularly beneficial so eat more avocados and have cold-pressed oils, such as olive oil, sunflower oil and linseed oil.

Fiber is vital in helping to eliminate toxins, such as meth residue from your body in your bile - otherwise these are simply re-absorbed. And remember to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to help flush harmful toxins from your body.

There are certain natural compounds, found in foods or manufactured by your body, that are strongly 'lipotropic' - meaning they remove toxins and bad fats from your liver and allow it to function normally again which is helpful for the recovering meth addict.

One such substance is a derivative of the amino acid methionine, called s-adenosyl methionine (or SAMe). It is normally produced in your liver, from methionine, folic acid and vitamin B12. However, it stops being produced in sufficient quantities if your liver is clogged up with toxins and fats that can collect due to addiction.

SAMe protects your liver from the effects of harmful chemicals such as meth, which must pass through your liver to be detoxified. It also promotes the flow of bile, which is essential for the digestion of fats and for the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.Taking supplements of SAMe has been found to help restore normal liver function, even in people with more serious liver diseases such as hepatitis. Recommended dosage: 400mg of SAMe a day.

Phosphatidyl choline and inositol can remove toxic deposits from your liver an aid in meth recovery as well. Phosphatidyl choline (PC) is essential for the healthy functioning of all the cells in your body, and is particularly beneficial for your liver.Like SAMe, PC also protects your liver from the damaging effects of toxins, alcohol and drugs. It is needed for the proper metabolism of fats and has the ability to remove fat from the liver.

The best dietary sources of PC are eggs, liver and other organ meats, soya beans, nuts and wheat germ. One can also take either one tablespoon of lecithin granules, 4,800mg of lecithin concentrate or 2,500mg of pure phosphatidyl choline a day.

Stimulant use, including use of crack, cocaine, and methamphetamine, can result in a significant decrease in appetite, weight loss, and eventual malnutrition. When one is trying to recover from a meth addiction, nutrition for the recovering meth addict is of utmost importance.

In following parts of this series we will look at the foods, meal plans, snacks and more resources that aid in the nutrition for a recovering meth addict in more detail. And always remember to check with your doctor, dietitian or homeopath before beginning any regimen.

Nutrition For Recovering Meth Addicts: Naturopathic Choices For Detox

Although deciding to quit meth is the first step to recovery, in order to have long term recovery success, one must address the reason why the meth addiction happened in the first place. Following good nutrition for recovering meth addicts won’t do any good if one returns to using.

Counseling and a supportive treatment program such as Narcotics Anonymous or AA are great tools to prevent relapse. A counselor will help you better understand your addictive tendencies, and a supportive group such as AA will remind you to always abstain from meth.

Liver Support Herbs for Meth Recovery

The first step in nutrition for recovering meth addicts when it comes to supporting proper liver function is following a healthy diet. One should follow a plan that is low in animal foods and sugar, and high in whole plant foods such as vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fruits, nuts, and seeds. Using this type of nutrition for recovering meth addicts will provide a wide range of essential nutrients the liver needs to carry on its important functions.

It may also be helpful to take a high potency multiple vitamin and mineral supplement, use a special nutritional and herbal supplement to protect the liver and enhance liver function, and go on a 3 day fresh juice fast 4 times a year.

For nutrition for recovering meth addicts and to restore the liver, these are some things to definitely stay away from:

• Saturated fats, hydrogenated fats/oils

• Non-organic meats, poultry, eggs and dairy

• Refined sugar, refined and processed foods

• Alcohol, drugs, and coffee

Milk thistle, schisandra, turmeric, artichoke, dandelion root, and N-acetyl cysteine (not an herb but an important detoxifier of the system use 600mg twice daily to support phase II detoxification pathways of the liver) are all great for restoring healthy liver function and moving toxins out of the body.

In our next installment we will look at foods that will help the liver return to normal function as well as an essential diet plan to provide nutrition for recovering meth addicts.

Nutrition For Recovering Meth Addicts: Part 2

In dealing with the chemical imbalances that can be a cause of meth abuse and a result of long-term meth addiction, nutrition for recovering meth addicts is very important in the recovery process. Here we will look further into the nutritional needs of the recovering meth addict.

Adrenal Support Herbs for Meth Recovery

Licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra),

Suggested Dosage
600 mg/day DGL extract or 1, 000 mg of regular extract 1/2 hour before meals.

Siberian ginseng (eleutherococcus),

Suggested Dosage: 100-300 mg 3 times a day.

Ashwaganda (withania somnifera)

Suggested Dosage: 1 teaspoon of powder twice a day

and

Schisandra

Suggested Dosage : ranges from 1.5 to 9 g per day.

* Of course with any substance there may a chance of some side effects and dosages are only suggested. Be sure to talk with your doctor first.

These all tend to be great herbs for those recovering from drug addiction. Try to avoid herbs that are over stimulating. When the body has been stimulated for too long it needs to be nourished and calmed down for the most part.

Although the thyroid is the primary set point for metabolism, the liver is the “fat burner” of the body. Toxic chemicals like crystal meth, cocaine, and other designer drugs are especially hard on the liver. Weight that gathers around the mid section is a classic sign for liver stagnation issues. For those that have had a short stint with drug abuse it’s less concerning. For those that have abused drugs for more than a year, a very slow detox program over an entire year or so would be in order. Meth is full of toxic solvents so avoid any rapid detox programs and opt for a more gentle nourishing cleanse over a prolonged period. Your body has already been through enough. It does not need to deal with a harsh extreme sudden detox from meth as well.

In the next installment we will look more closely at the detox portion of recovery and the foods and substances that will aid in this process.

Nutrition For Recovering Meth Addicts: Part 1

In dealing with the chemical imbalances that can be a cause of meth abuse and a result of long-term meth addiction, nutrition for recovering meth addicts is very important in the recovery process.

Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins and Herbs

Nutritional supplements such as herbs, amino acids, vitamins and other nutrients restore the proper biochemical balance in the brain. As well, eliminating certain substances such as sugars and simple starches and increasing protein intake can help to rebalance brain chemistry for the recovering meth addict. Good nutrition can also help heal the damage caused to the body by the depletion of nutrients common in substance abuse.

Meth addiction and prolonged meth use and abuse damages neurotransmitters in the brain. So an important area of the use of nutrition in recovery and relapse prevention is the addition of appropriate amino acids. The neurotransmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine, GABA, serotonin and dopamine, are indicated in addictive behavior.

Using various amino acids, the brain chemistry can be changed to help normalize and restore deficiencies in the neurotransmitters that spur cravings that can lead to meth addiction and abuse.

Amino acid nutrition therapy for meth addicts:

The use of L-Phenylalanine or L-Tyrosine is useful in the nutrition for recovering meth addicts by restoring the brain chemicals Norepinephrine and Dopamine.

These amino acids can counteract the symptoms of depression, low energy, lack of focus and concentration. The expected behavior changes when restoring these depleted amino acids are: Anti-craving. Anti-depression. Increased energy. Improved mental focus.

To increase the effects of amino-acid nutritional therapy, the use of a multi-vitamin/mineral formula is recommended. Many vitamins and minerals serve as co-factors in repairing neurotransmitters. They also serve to restore general balance, vitality and well-being to a recovering meth addict who typically is in a state of poor nutritional health.

Some recovering meth addicts may decide to work directly with a nutritionist. The American Dietetic Association (ADA) web site can help you locate a nutritionist for your area.

A more in depth look at the foods, herbs and nutrients for the proper nutrition for the recovering meth addict will be examined in later parts of this series.