Is there a correlation between addiction and malnutrition? Often, when someone arrives for treatment, they show signs of malnutrition. For some, it’s related to the loss of appetite brought on by alcohol or drugs like heroin. In other ways, it’s just practical: If someone isn’t taking care of themselves in other ways, they aren’t watching their nutrition either.

Problems with Malnutrition and Recovery

This commonly found malnutrition poses additional problems as the treatment process begins. Someone who is malnourished is more prone to infection as his or her immune system is compromised. This common problem can also cause breakdowns in the body’s basic functioning, from digestion problems to skin issues to muscle aches or fatigue. Tooth decay, hair loss and ceasing menstruating for women of childbearing years are all symptoms. Prolonged malnutrition can lead to even more dangerous – and irreversible – health issues.

Importance of Healthy Eating During Recovery

That’s why it’s important to get clients on a healthy eating plan as soon as they begin the treatment process. Organic, fresh foods are able to restore nutrients to bodies lacking those important substances. Staff can also work with individuals on a customized plan for getting the client back to physical health as they work through their addiction issues.

Addiction Treatment at La Paloma

If you or someone you love is battling an addiction, call La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.

They say we are what we eat, but can the foods we’re missing out on make us more prone to substance abuse, crime, delinquency, learning disabilities, ADHD and lowered IQ or school performance?

Nutrient Deficiency and Crime

Stephen J. Schoenthaler, PhD, Professor of Sociology & Criminal Justice, California State University Stanislaus, has studied nutrition and behavior at juvenile and adult correctional facilities and in public schools, and the findings are astounding. One study of juvenile delinquents and adult felons in five states found that the offenders with the worst behavior consumed the least vitamins and minerals. In California prisons, convicts with up to four nutritional deficiencies were 50 percent more likely to be involved in serious violent incidents, and those with five to nine nutrient deficiencies were 90 percent more likely to be involved in such incidents.

Supplements and a change in diet can go a long way toward making a big difference. Schoenthaler says when this small change is made and blood chemistry is regulated, the rates of reoffending for convicted criminals drops dramatically. Conversely, placebo has no effect and there’s no change in violence for those whose blood chemistry is normal to begin with.

These results are noteworthy since they suggest that similar success could be had in the other areas affected by nutritional deficiencies. That doesn’t mean a balanced diet will keep everyone off drugs or eradicate ADHD, but being aware of the role blood chemistry plays can be one more tool to prevent and treat addiction and other disorders.

Addiction Treatment

If you or someone you love is battling an addiction, call La Paloma at our toll-free number. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.

Healthy eating. It sounds so simple, but it really does benefit someone already in treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction. In addition to the damage substance abuse does to relationships and families, it also depletes the body. Without the necessary nutrients, it’s harder to focus and to do the work required for a successful stay in treatment.

The Mediterranean Diet

That’s why treatment centers like La Paloma rely on the healthy Mediterranean diet to restore the physical health of those in their care. The diet is characterized by a high intake of vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grain cereals as well as unsaturated fat in the form of heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil and a lot of wild-caught fish (unfried and unbreaded, of course). Conversely, adherents focus on eating few saturated fats (like those found in meat and dairy) and a low intake of dairy, meat and poultry.

It’s a diet that is frequently praised by health professionals and, when compared to a traditional Western diet, is associated with a lower risk of everything from cancer and heart disease to diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Recent studies even claim that it may prevent mental decline.

After weeks of healthy eating, many residential clients feel so good that they become committed to continuing their healthy eating once they leave La Paloma. That may be the strongest recommendation of all.

That’s why La Paloma’s head chef, Jordan Emerson, is so focused on planning and preparing menus that provide a healthy and balanced diet. He realized the opportunity he has to positively affect the recovery of others by helping them make healthy diet choices during their healing process.

Emerson has a varied background as a chef, thanks to his extensive work in the hospitality industry in the California Bay Area and Big Sur as well as providing corporate hospitality for racing companies like Players Racing and Forsythe Championship Racing. His current role at La Paloma allows Emerson to help others while doing what he loves — creating good food.