How does alcohol affect B12 absorption
Alcohol causes interference with absorption of nutrients and can cause interference with the enzymes needed for digestion, the transportation of nutrients to the bloodstream and the effectiveness of enzymatic metabolism.Not only is alcohol devoid of proteins, minerals, and vitamins, it actually inhibits the absorption and usage of vital nutrients such as thiamin (vitamin b1), vitamin b12, folic acid, and zinc.Medlineplus describes alcohol as one of the major causes of nutritional deficiency in the united states, the biggest problem being that excessive alcohol use contributes to a deficiency in b vitamins:How does alcohol affect vitamin absorption?This occurs because vitamin b12 needs glutathione for its proper absorption by the body.What blocks vitamin b12 absorption?
Alcohol is the most common reason to have lower b12 levels.Heavy drinking depletes vitamin b12 through a number of mechanisms: