How Much Kudzu To Take For Alcoholism?
Contents
How long before drinking should I take kudzu?
Kudzu Treatment for Alcohol Abuse – Full Text View Brief Summary: This is a study designed to test whether a single administration of kudzu extract (2 mg) will significantly reduce the number of drinks consumed during a single 1 ½ hours drinking session when given as pretreatment 2 ½ hours before the drinking session.
| Alcohol Consumption | Dietary Supplement: Kudzu Dietary Supplement: Placebo | Phase 2 |
In a laboratory experimental setting, subjects will be treated with placebo or 2 grams of kudzu extract 2.5 hours before an afternoon drinking session. The investigators hypothesis is that the kudzu pretreatment will reduce alcohol consumption in this free choice, self-administration paradigm.
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo This is a study designed to test whether a single administration of kudzu extract (2 mg) or placebo will significantly reduce the number of drinks consumed during a single 1 ½ hours drinking session when given as a pretreatment 2 ½ hours before the drinking session. | Dietary Supplement: Placebo Placebo will be administered as a pretreatment 2 ½ hours before a drinking session |
| Active Comparator: Kudzu Kudzu 2mg | Dietary Supplement: Kudzu Kudzu (2 mg) will be administered as a pretreatment 2 ½ hours before a drinking session to see if it will significantly reduce the number of drinks consumed during a single 1 ½ hours drinking session. Other Names:
|
Primary Outcome Measures :
Drinking Behaviors A variety of measures describing the drinking behavior will be analyzed with appropriate parametric tests (t-test, analysis of variance): number of beers consumed, weight and volume consumed, sip analysis (number, interlude), and latency (time to open first and subsequent drinks).
Inclusion Criteria:
- Capable of understanding and complying with the protocol
- Good physical and mental health (normal physical exam, ECG, blood and urine chemistries)
- Body Mass Index between 18-30, inclusive
- Age 21-40 years
- Moderate to heavy alcohol drinkers (on the average 20+ drinks/week) or a self-reported pattern of incidences of binge drinking 2 or more times per week (4 or more alcoholic beverages in one sitting)
- Have a stable living situation with current postal address
Exclusion Criteria:
- Concurrent diagnosis of Axis I disorder
- Current or past alcohol dependence; may meet criteria for alcohol abuse. Other drug dependence acceptable only if greater than 3 years.
- Immediate family history pattern of alcoholism or problem drinking (parents or siblings)
- Current drug abuse (other than alcohol or marijuana abuse). Past drug abuse is acceptable.
- Subjects cannot be actively seeking treatment for any drug or alcohol dependence.
- Subjects cannot use marijuana more than once a week. Marijuana abuse/dependence are acceptable if the use criteria is met.
- Maintained on an antipsychotic or antidepressant medication; taking prescription medications except certain short-term anti fungal agents and some tropical creams for dermal conditions.
- Tobacco use greater than 5 cigarettes per day
- History of major head trauma resulting in cognitive impairment or history of seizure disorder
- Heavy caffeine use (greater than 500 mg on a regular, daily basis)
- Subject has active hepatitis and/or aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 3x the upper limit of normal
- For female volunteers, a positive pregnancy test
| McLean Hospital | |
| Belmont, Massachusetts, United States, 02478 |
Mclean Hospital National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
| Principal Investigator: | Scott E. Lukas, Ph.D. | Mclean Hospital |
Keywords provided by Scott Lukas, Mclean Hospital: Additional relevant MeSH terms:
| Alcohol Drinking Drinking Behavior |
Kudzu Treatment for Alcohol Abuse – Full Text View
Does kudzu root help with alcohol consumption?
May reduce alcohol dependence – Some studies suggest kudzu root may help treat alcohol use disorder or alcohol dependence. One small study looked at the effects of kudzu in 17 men ages 21–33 who reported drinking approximately 22–35 drinks per week. The researchers gave participants either kudzu extract or a placebo every day for 4 weeks ( 2 ).
- The participants reported their desire for and consumption of alcohol for the duration of the study.
- Researchers found that the kudzu extract had no effect on alcohol cravings, but it reduced the number of weekly alcoholic drinks by 34–57% ( 2 ).
- Furthermore, the men who took kudzu had fewer heavy drinking days per week and had significantly more consecutive days with no alcohol consumption ( 2 ).
Another study found that people who took puerarin, an isoflavone extract from the kudzu plant, prior to drinking took longer to consume alcoholic beverages ( 3 ). This effect has been seen in other studies as well. In some instances, even a single dose of kudzu extract reduced alcohol consumption and prevented binge drinking ( 4, 5 ).
What are the best supplements for alcoholics?
About Essential Vitamins & Nutrients – Many of the symptoms described above are caused by nutrient deficiencies, particularly the B-complex vitamins, which are especially vulnerable to alcohol use. These vitamins are essential to mental and emotional well-being. The list of B-complex vitamins includes:
Vitamin B 1 (thiamin) — Deficiencies trigger depression and irritability and can cause neurological and cardiac disorders Vitamin B 2 (riboflavin) — In 1982, an article published in the British Journal of Psychiatry reported that every one of 172 successive patients admitted to a British psychiatric hospital for treatment for depression was deficient in B 2 Vitamin B 3 (niacin) — Depletion causes anxiety, depression, apprehension, and fatigue Pantothenic Acid — Symptoms of deficiency are fatigue, chronic stress, and depression Vitamin B 6 (pyridoxine) — Deficiencies can disrupt the formation of neurotransmitters Vitamin B 12 — Deficiency will cause depression. Folic Acid — Deficiency is a common cause of depression.
Deficiencies of other nutrients can also contribute to the negative feelings that frequently lead susceptible individuals toward another alcoholic beverage. These include:
Vitamin C — Continuing deficiency causes chronic depression and fatigue Magnesium — Symptoms of deficiency include confusion, apathy, loss of appetite, weakness, and insomnia Calcium — Depletion affects the central nervous system Zinc — Inadequacies result in apathy, lack of appetite, and lethargy Iron — Depression is often a symptom of chronic iron deficiency Manganese — Necessary for proper use of the B-Complex vitamins and Vitamin C Potassium — Depletion is frequently associated with depression, tearfulness, weakness, and fatigue Chromium — Enhances glucose uptake into cells. A deficiency can cause hypoglycemia Omega 3 EFA — In adults, skin disorders and anemia develops as a consequence of EFA deficiency
Here are some additional nutrient notes:
Include 250mg Vitamin C, 150mg magnesium, 1500mg calcium and 500 mg niacin from dietary sources each day. A good multivitamin/mineral supplement (like Centrum) is also recommended. Omega 3 fatty acids can help to minimize symptoms. Try including 3-4 ounces of fish 2-4 times per week or adding flaxseed to your foods. These are both excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Another way to get these nutrients is with breakfast cereals high in flaxseed. You can also add flaxseed to smoothies. Among the fish, with the highest omega-three fatty acid content are Atlantic and Pacific herring, sardines, Atlantic halibut and salmon, lake trout, coho, pink and king salmon, bluefish, albacore tuna, and Atlantic mackerel
The New Food Pyramid
What is the number one killer of alcoholics?
How Can Alcohol Be Lethal? – Since the death toll caused by alcohol abuse is so high, it is important to understand the ways in which alcohol can kill someone. The major causes of alcohol-related death are alcohol poisoning, cancer, car accidents, heart failure, liver damage, and violence.
How does kudzu make you feel?
Other potential health benefits –
Might protect your heart. Animal studies suggest that kudzu root could have heart-protective benefits. It may help regulate blood pressure in patients diagnosed with primary hypertension, a risk factor for heart disease. May regulate blood sugar levels. According to a 2019 animal study, kudzu root may also help regulate blood sugar levels by inhibiting PTP1B, a diabetes-related protein. Might help reduce inflammation. Kudzu root can also be a natural option to treat inflammation, In a small case study, researchers found that isoorientin, a compound isolated from kudzu root, is capable of boosting antioxidant levels and reducing inflammation in mice with swollen paws. May help treat liver damage. One study in mice found that kudzu vine extract had a positive effect in the treatment of liver damage by boosting the natural antioxidant system.
Despite its many potential health perks, there are also some possible side effects to taking kudzu root. Here’s what to know before you try it:
Some people who take kudzu root oral supplements report having belly aches, and feeling dizzy,There’s some evidence that kudzu root supplements may cause liver injury, but more research needs to be done on this topic.Kudzu root may interact with diabetes medication. It could also potentially make your birth control less effective due to its estrogenic effects,If you’re pregnant, taking blood thinning medication, or on diabetes medication, avoid using kudzu root.
If you’re not sure whether kudzu root is right for you, talk with your doctor. They can give you personalized advice that takes into account any other supplements or medications you may be taking. Kudzu root is available in lots of forms including capsules, liquid extracts, and powder.
A 2012 study on the kudzu species Pueraria mirifica suggests that doses of 50 to 100 milligrams of kudzu root per day have a low risk of negative side effects.For reducing alcohol intake, a single dose of 2 grams before drinking alcohol has been effective on participants without causing significant side effects.
Curious to try kudzu root? Here are our best tips to find the perf kudzu root supplement.
Look for clear information about harvesting. You’ll wanna go for a supplement that uses organic and sustainably harvested kudzu root. Read the fine print. Always check the label. As a rule of thumb, too many ingredients (which can include tons of additives) is usually a red flag. Check the recommended use for that specific kudzu root supplement. Why? Some species of kudzu root may be more efficient to treat certain issues. Pueraria lobate, for example, is the species normally used to reduce alcohol cravings. Find out what people are saying. Read online reviews of that particular kudzu root supplement to find out more about other folks’ experiences. Stay away from brands that aren’t willing to provide contact details. If they’re not transparent about their product policy that’s also a good sign to skip it.
Kudzu root is the edible root of a vine plant that’s native to several Asian countries.Kudzu root can be cooked or eaten, but is mostly used as a dietary supplement in the form of tablets, drops, or powdered mixes.Potential health perks of taking kudzu root include decreasing alcohol intake, easing menopause symptoms, and regulating blood sugar levels.Kudzu root may interact with certain medications like diabetes meds and birth control. Make sure you consult with your doctor before taking it.
How much kudzu should I take a day?
Kudzu Root Side Effects & Dosage – Dosages for kudzu root extract supplements varies widely. It’s important to always consult with a physician or healthcare professional before taking any supplements, natural or not. As a dietary supplement, take 1200 mg (heavy 1/3 tsp) once or twice daily, or as directed by a physician.
Is kudzu good for your liver?
Liver disease: Taking kudzu might harm the liver. People with liver disease or a history of liver disease should avoid kudzu. Surgery: Kudzu might affect blood sugar levels and might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery.
What herbal supplements are good for alcoholism?
Summary – Home remedies and complementary therapies are often used to help people quit drinking. Herbal supplements like Ashwagandha, kudzu, milk thistle, and St. John’s wort may reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms and prevent cravings. Lifestyle changes, better nutrition, exercise, meditation, mindfulness, and relaxing hobbies can also help you feel better while living alcohol-free.
- You can also find support for quitting drinking online.
- Multiple recovery fellowships offer support group meetings online throughout the day.
- Online therapy and intensive outpatient treatment programs are widely available and can be accessed from the comfort and privacy of your home.
- Heavy drinkers who stop drinking alcohol abruptly can experience serious withdrawal symptoms that could be deadly.
If you have a drinking problem, talk to your healthcare provider about how to quit safely.
Is milk thistle good for drinkers?
Liver disease from alcohol Milk thistle is often suggested as a treatment for alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis, but scientific studies show mixed results. Most studies show milk thistle improves liver function and increases survival in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis.
What causes sudden death in alcoholics?
Such deaths in chronic alcoholics may be due to a number of mechanisms, including alcoholic ketoacidosis and disorders of cardiac rhythm. Alcoholic ketoacidosis has been recognized as a cause of death since the 1990s. It can be diagnosed by postmortem analysis of ketone bodies, including acetone and β-hydroxybutyrate.
What is the most common cause of death among alcoholics?
Alcohol-Related Deaths: What to Know Medically Reviewed by on March 29, 2022 An occasional alcoholic drink every now and then can be fine. But drinking too much can kill. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, -related deaths total around 3 million each year globally.
- It’s also a leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S.
- Over half of alcohol-related deaths are because of health effects from drinking too much over time.
- It can lead to things like cancer, liver disease, and heart disease.
- But drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time can also be deadly.
It can cause alcohol poisoning or lead to other dangers like motor vehicle accidents. In the short term, even a small amount of alcohol can affect your alertness, affect muscle coordination, and cause you to feel drowsy. If you drink too often, misuse alcohol like binge drink, or drink to the point of blacking out, it can cause many physical and mental health issues in the long term.
It can also lead to alcohol use disorder, a form of addiction. The major effects of short-term, high volume alcohol drinking include:, When you drink too much, it can affect the amount of alcohol in your blood. This is called blood alcohol concentration (BAC), which is a type of measurement of the alcohol in your blood.
If the percentage of alcohol rises to toxic levels, it can wreak havoc on your body. For example, a BAC of 0.08% is considered the legal limit to operate a motorized vehicle in all 50 states. But if you binge drink a lot of alcoholic beverages in a few hours, the blood-alcohol levels could be toxic enough to cause you to:
Slip into a comaHave a heart attackStop breathingHave seizures
For women, is defined as consuming four or more drinks in the span of 2 hours. For men, it’s five or more drinks in a span of 2 hours. Most alcohol poisoning deaths happen between ages 35 and 64. Car accidents. Driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous because it affects your ability to reason, think clearly, judge, or follow traffic laws.
It puts your life and the safety of those around you at risk, too. On average, drunk driving kills around 28 people per day in the U.S. Violence. Drinking too much alcohol makes you more likely to cause accidental violent deaths.40% of the violent crimes like assault, homicide, and domestic abuse were committed by people who had high BAC at the time of their arrest.
Moreover, people who drink too much are more likely to attempt suicide. About 30% of people who commit suicide drink alcohol right before. Some longer-term effects of drinking can include: Cancer. Alcohol is a carcinogen. That means it’s made of things that increase your risk for cancer.
MouthLiverThroatEsophagusStomach
Heart disease. Alcohol can increase your risk for high blood pressure, which can put you at risk for a heart attack or a stroke. And while alcohol is a liquid, it can still pack on empty calories, and drinking too much may lead to obesity. This can increase your risk for heart disease in the long run.
Liver damage and disease. When you drink, your body has no place to store alcohol. So it’s your liver’s job to detoxify and remove alcohol from your blood. The liver breaks down alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance that scars and inflames the liver. This chemical also interferes with the liver’s ability to break down and metabolize fats.
This causes that fat to accumulate and may lead to fatty liver – an early stage of alcohol-related liver disease. Over time, too much scarring in the liver can lead to cirrhosis. It’s a life-threatening, late-stage liver disease that can stop the liver from properly filtering blood.
This can cause other organs in your body to shut down and increase your risk for death. Cirrhosis usually takes decades to develop, and sometimes people are not aware of it until it’s too late. It’s hard to reverse the effects of cirrhosis. It causes up to 26,000 deaths each year. Men are twice as likely to develop cirrhosis and four times as likely to develop liver cancer.
According to research, more men die from alcohol-related death than women. They account for over 75%. But women are more likely to experience domestic abuse or sexual assault when alcohol is involved. Excessive drinking makes up around 18% of the ER visits and over 22% percent of overdose-related deaths compared to other substance misuse products like,
- People under 21, the legal age limit to drink alcohol in the U.S., have a higher risk to die from binge drinking or other risk behaviors.
- This includes driving under the influence, injuries, sexual assault, or violence.
- Alcohol also affects proper brain development in teenagers.
- Thousands of people under 21 die from alcohol-related deaths in the U.S.
each year. There are things you can do to lower the risk of alcohol-related deaths. You can quit or cut back on how many alcoholic beverages you drink. According to the American Dietary Guidelines, moderate alcohol intake includes two drinks or less in a day for men or one drink or less in a day for women.
Younger than 21Pregnant or may be pregnantDriving or planning to driveDo activities that require alertness like operating heavy machinery or toolsTaking certain prescription or over-the-counter medications that can interact with alcoholHave certain medical conditions like cancer
If you drink heavily or notice signs of liver damage or other health issues that may be related to drinking too much alcohol, talk to your doctor about it. If necessary, they can refer you to a rehabilitation center to get the drinking under control. If drinking alcohol is taking a toll on your mental health, let your doctor know or talk to a licensed mental health specialist such as a counselor or therapist.
What are the downfalls of having kudzu?
Kudzu: The Invasive Vine that Ate the South
Kudzu looks innocent enough yet the invasive plant easily overtakes trees, abandoned homes and telephone poles. August 09, 2019
Known as “mile-a-minute” and “the vine that ate the South,” this creeping, climbing perennial vine terrorizes native plants all over the southeastern United States and is making its way into the Midwest, Northeast and even Oregon. Kudzu—or kuzu (クズ)—is native to Japan and southeast China.
- It was first introduced to the United States during the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876 where it was touted as a great ornamental plant for its sweet-smelling blooms and sturdy vines.
- From the 1930s through the 1950s, the Soil Conservation Service promoted it as a great tool for soil erosion control and was planted in abundance throughout the south.
Little did we know that kudzu is quite a killer, overtaking and growing over anything in its path. Kudzu grows out of control quickly, spreading through runners (stems that root at the tip when in contact with moist soil), rhizomes and by vines that root at the nodes to form new plants. 
Kudzu overtakes a hill Invasive kudzu overtakes trees and shrubs on a hillside in Blount County, Tennessee. The Soil Conservation Service (now USDA’s NRCS) planted kudzu across the United States during the 20th century to combat erosion. © Katie Ashdown via Flickr (CC BY 2.0) An invasive plant as fast-growing as kudzu outcompetes everything from native grasses to fully mature trees by shading them from the sunlight they need to photosynthesize.
- And how you can help control their spread.
- This loss of native plants harms other plants, insects and animals that adapted alongside them, leading to cascading effects throughout an ecosystem.
- Over time, these effects of habitat loss can lead to species extinctions and a loss of,
- Climate change puts a lot of stress on native species.
Invasive species like kudzu are often more flexible and adaptable to change than many native plants and can outcompete them early in the growing season. Kudzu thrives in areas with mild winters and hot summers. may be making it easier for creeping vine to spread, as winters in many areas of the U.S.
- Become milder.
- Climate change also can lead to more regional drought, an opportunity for this versatile killer.
- Udzu is able to weather dry periods with its deep root systems and then take over where native plants could not survive.
- It depends how large the patch is.
- Newer, smaller patches can be controlled with persistent weeding.
According to Purdue University, continuous mowing and grazing—both cattle & goats will eat kudzu—will weaken and eventually control the plant. For larger growths, the vines should be cut near the ground and then carefully treated with one of a variety of herbicides.
- Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources suggests that if herbicides are used to apply in the late summer when the plants are more susceptible to transferring the chemicals into storage organs making it more effective.
- The best way to deal with kudzu or other invasive plants is to prevent them from spreading.
For more ways to control kudzu, check out paper. : Kudzu: The Invasive Vine that Ate the South
What does kudzu cure?
Kudzu is a botanical used in traditional medicine to treat alcoholism, cardiovascular disease, menopausal symptoms, diabetes, fever, the common cold, and neck or eye pain. There are several species of kudzu and both the flowers and root extract are used for their medicinal properties.
Isoflavones, the major components of kudzu, are thought to be responsible for its potential effects. In vitro, kudzu has demonstrated antiproliferative (1), anti-inflammatory (3), and neuroprotective (16) (18) properties. In animal studies, feeding with kudzu root suppressed alcohol intake and withdrawal symptoms (4),
Studies of kudzu in humans are limited and have mostly focused on its effects on alcohol consumption or climacteric symptoms. In heavy drinkers, data suggest kudzu may be a useful adjunct to reduce alcohol intake (9) (19) (23), In moderate drinkers, it was shown to not disturb sleep wake/cycles, as can occur during withdrawal or with other medications that treat dependence (20),
- In another small study, a single dose of kudzu extract reduced alcohol consumption (25),
- Other preliminary studies suggest kudzu may improve symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats in perimenopausal women (5) (10) (21), and cognitive function in postmenopausal women (6),
- Although a topical P.
mirifica gel improved vaginal symptoms in postmenopausal women, a conjugated estrogen cream was found to be more effective (26), A recent systematic review of P. mirifica regarding efficacy for menopausal symptoms is inconclusive (27), In addition, another systematic review determined that evidence on benefits for any condition with various species of kudzu are limited and unclear (28),
What are the pros of kudzu?
Kudzu’s root, flower, and leaf are used to make medicine. It has been used in Chinese medicine since at least 200 BC. As early as 600 AD, it was used to treat alcoholism. Today, kudzu is used to treat alcoholism and to reduce symptoms of alcohol hangover, including headache, upset stomach, dizziness, and vomiting.
Why drink milk before alcohol?
‘Lining’ your stomach – There is a widely held belief that a glass of milk before a heavy session can help to lessen the effects of alcohol by “lining your stomach”. Some Mediterranean countries prefer to line their stomach with a spoon of olive oil,
What foods absorb alcohol the fastest?
What foods soak up alcohol? Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach means your body will absorb alcohol faster and you’ll feel the effects of alcohol more rapidly. Any food will help, but carbohydrates — like bread, pasta or potatoes — slow down how quickly your body absorbs the alcohol.
Can you take supplements before drinking?
2. Vitamin B – Vitamin B has long been praised as a hangover helper, and it’s true that it can greatly reduce the symptoms of a hangover. Choose supplements including B-1, B-6 and B-12, to boost your body’s metabolism and replace the B vitamins lost the night before.
When can I drink after kava?
+ How should kava be consumed? Can I mix it with other foods and alcohol? – Kava works best when it is consumed on an empty stomach, so it is a good idea not to eat or dink anything (other than water) for at least 4 hours before drinking kava. Kava is a diuretic, so it’s important to drink plenty of water in between or after kava shells.
Does kudzu help with hangovers?
Kudzu: Curbing Alcoholic Urges Chinese medicine has used the kudzu plant ( ge gen ) for centuries to treat stiff neck, sprains, thirst and diarrhea, and to reduce drinking. It has also been used as a hangover cure. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology states that kudzu’s traditional functions date back to Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, originally compiled in the second century.
- Today, researchers are exploring this Chinese herb’s use in Detoxification therapy and to reduce alcohol consumption abuse.
- A May 2005 study by Harvard Medical School and New England Research Institutes found that properties of the kudzu plant may cause alcohol to reach the brain more quickly.
- Drinkers feel the effects sooner and will likely drink less and more slowly.
During the seven-day study, 14 subjects were observed in a simulated living room and small kitchen, which was stocked with their favorite beer. Each of the subjects was a heavy drinker, averaging 25 alcoholic beverages per week. None had a family history of alcoholism or were alcohol dependent.
Between drinks, the subjects rested their beer on a scale so researchers could monitor exactly how much they were drinking. They then either took 500 mg kudzu plant capsules three times a day or a placebo for a week and then returned to the lab. After observation, there was a “washout” period and treatments were then reversed – those who had been taking kudzu plant were given a placebo and vice versa.
Behavior-observing researchers did not know who had been given what. The subjects who had been taking kudzu plant showed almost a 50 percent average decrease in beer intake and took smaller sips, while placebo takers drank the same quantity as before.
No side effects were reported or observed from kudzu plant intake. An earlier study conducted by Keung and Vallee found that kudzu plant extract suppressed the alcohol intake of hamsters that had been bred to prefer and consume alcohol. They became water drinkers instead. Kudzu plant contains the isoflavones puerarin, daidzin, daidzein and genistein, considered to be the active elements.
The study was not designed to answer the question of why kudzu plant works, and theories are still being formed within the Western medical community. According to traditional Chinese medicine, alcohol is considered energetically warm or hot and acts on the body by turning the face red, burning the stomach and making one feel flushed with warmth.
It creates damp and heat inside the body. Alcohol intoxication can be described as “false clear yang rising,” which adds to the temporary high spirits of drunkenness. It is the job of the Spleen to lift clear yang, but this task is impaired by alcohol. True clear yang fills the mind with brightness and intelligence, so when it fails to raise properly, dizziness, fogginess and fatigue ensue, resulting in hangover.
The damp-heat of alcohol can dehydrate the body as it damages body fluids. Kudzu plant’s ability to generate fluids helps repair this and is an effective hangover cure. Its sweet flavor nourishes and strengthens digestive organs, especially the Spleen and Stomach.
Kudzu plant also has a spicy property, which carries a dispersing action, pushing toxins out of the body. Its energetic coolness combats the heat component of alcohol. It may seem counterintuitive that kudzu plant can work both as a hangover cure and to curb the desire to drink, but the same elements that help ease the physical consequences may push the body to feel alcohol’s effects sooner.
Original theories suggested that daidzin and daidzein inhibited enzymes that are essential to metabolizing alcohol, but current data, according to Lin and Li, has prompted the theory that components of kudzu plant may work within the central nervous system.
They propose that the suppression of alcohol reinforcement produced by kudzu plant compounds is mediated centrally in the brain reward pathway. According to the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependency, there are more than 100,000 American deaths per year as a result of alcohol abuse. Counseling, Alcoholics Anonymous and detoxification are helpful and often necessary treatments, but current alcohol medication resembles unpleasant aversion therapy.
Of the few alcohol medication drugs available to treat alcohol dependency, most discourage drinking with uncomfortable reactions to even the smallest amount of alcohol. These include nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, headache and anxiety. Kudzu plant, unlike alcohol medication, produces no effects of its own, does not block the effects of alcohol and does not make people sick if they drink alcohol.
Does taking probiotics before drinking help?
We’ve all been there: Waking up after having one too many glasses of wine and really feeling its effects. Thankfully, there are doctor-approved ways to combat that morning-after throbbing headache. Pre-tox with a probiotic. The best way to fix a hangover? Prevent it.
- If you’re headed out and are worried about the next day’s repercussions, take a probiotic like Kombucha, Greek yogurt or even just the capsules before you go out.
- Probiotics actually help to metabolize the alcohol as well as the breakdown products of alcohol,” says hangover specialist Jason Burke, MD.
What the heck does that mean? The supplements will help move acetaldehyde, which is thought to be the main component responsible for inflammation and other hangover symptoms, through your system faster. Another bonus to probiotics: They’ll help you out when you don’t feel so hot in the morning.
Probiotics help to maintain the balance of bacteria and yeast in your gut, which increases when you drink alcohol.” So popping a pill, or mixing a cup of Greek yogurt into a smoothie, can get things back in check. Strategize your pre-party meal. For dinner, Dr. Burke recommends treating yourself to steak and a spinach salad—two items rich in vitamin B and antioxidants that will combat oxidative stress, which contributes to a hangover.
Fun fact: “Hangovers are not dehydration,” he says. You’re actually suffering from oxidative stress and inflammation, otherwise known as that pesky headache and persistent nausea. Think of it as “throwing a wrench in the gears of a machine,” explains Dr.
Burke. “Your mitochondria are the gears that churn out energy, and that wrench causes a jam that needs to be either worked around or fixed.” In other words, dehydration can make hangover symptoms worse—so make sure you’re still filling up on H2O—but squeezing in those antioxidants at dinner can help keep everything in balance.
Eat a midnight snack. Once you get home, make yourself a snack—preferably something with cheese and eggs. ” contain the amino acid cysteine, which your body uses to make glutathione, a powerful antioxidant,” says Dr. Burke. You can also take one or two multivitamins before you go to sleep, if you didn’t take any earlier in the evening.
- Try milk thistle, acai or a multivitamin that contains molybdenum and selenium, which metabolize the breakdown products of alcohol,” he says.
- Sweat it out.
- Getting off the couch may be the very last thing you want to do, but hitting the gym will be well worth it.
- During vigorous exercise, blood circulates three times as fast as when you’re just sitting,” explains Aaron Michelfelder, MD, a family physician at the Loyola University Health System.
“And the faster you circulate blood through your liver and kidneys, the faster your body will remove the toxins.” If you’re not quite up for the jostling that comes with a run, try the recumbent bike, which allows you to sit while still getting your blood pumping.
- Pair the perfect pain relievers.
- It’s not just for the kiddos anymore.
- Instead of opting for a big sports drink like Gatorade, which often contains high amounts of sugar, Dr.
- Burke suggests reaching for Pedialyte due to its electrolyte levels—perfect for boosting hydration back up—and its low sugar levels.
Use it to wash down an ibuprofen medication, even if you don’t have a headache, says Dr. Burke. “Inflammation of the brain causes most of our hangover symptoms, including nausea, so taking any anti-inflammatory drug will help,” he says. Just stay away from Tylenol or acetaminophen, which can put stress on your liver.
Eat something spicy But not because it’ll make you drink more water. “There’s a compound in capsaicin (an ingredient in most spicy foods) called ‘substance P’ that has anti-inflammatory properties,” says Dr. Burke. Not to mention substance P has also been used in chronic pain management to relieve pain—making it your BFF when you feel like death.
Spicy dishes generally contain herbs and spices that have antioxidant properties, too, so pass the Sriracha! Related: The Unexpected Hangover Remedy That’s Already in Your Fridge 7 Simply Amazing Hacks for Leftover Wine 9 Cocktail Party Commandments Every Host Should Follow Executive Digital Editor As the executive digital editor of Cosmopolitan, Rosa Heyman leads the digital operations for the largest women’s lifestyle brand in the U.S. and oversees a team of whip-smart editors and hilarious writers who bring you some of the best stuff on the internet.
