Alcohol-nutrition interaction (1983).

Alcohol remains a prevailing cause of malnutrition resulting in a variety of deficiency states secondary to decreased intake of nutrients. In addition to various well-described primary malnutrition syndromes, secondary malnutrition may result from the interference of ethanol with nutrient digestion, absorption or utilization. Some of the latter alcohol-nutrient interactions have been recently defined and their pathogenesis is discussed here. Included are interactions with thiamin, folic acid, vitamin A and disorders secondary to amino acid imbalances. The rationale for various forms of therapy is reviewed, including the pitfalls of excess nutrient administration (particularly as it pertains to pyridoxine, vitamin A and amino acids). Desirability of recognizing early precirrhotic stages of alcoholic fibrosis is emphasized in order to start therapy prior to the medical and/or social disintegration of the alcoholic.