A deficiency in any of these nutrients has an impact on health. In alcoholics, the deficiency that most people are familiar with is a deficiency of thiamine. This brain disorder manifests as mental confusion, paralysis of eye muscles, poor movement coordination and memory loss. Without treatment, a victim of the syndrome may sustain permanent neurological damage. Folic acid deficiency is also common in alcoholics.
Folic acid is important for protein metabolism.
Possible effects of a shortage of this nutrient include loss of appetite, anemia, fatigue and neurological disorders. Alcoholics who are admitted to detoxification centres have varying degrees of nutritional deficiencies. Several treatment centres in the United States have adopted an intensive approach to treatment and have had good success. Proper nutrition is a necessary factor in recovery, and recognition of its importance is growing. Many treatment centres are integrating nutrition into their programs at the educational level.