Published in: Sober living

A single dose of kudzu extract reduces alcohol consumption in a binge drinking paradigm

Author safaktozar

Published on: 2 Haziran 2022

It is also known by other names like “mile-a-minute vine” and “foot-a-night vine” because of its ability to grow out of control in a very short time span. However, these studies were conducted on lone individuals drinking within highly kudzu to stop drinking controlled laboratory conditions. The root in particular is valued for its medicinal properties, and the beneficial effects are thought be down to a group of compounds found in high concentrations within the plant, called isoflavones.

2 Behavioral and Subjective Effects

Recent results showed that puerarin significantly decreased the triglyceride and total cholesterol content in liver of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. One small study looking at the effects of kudzu in a group of men that reported drinking between 22 and 35 drinks per week shows promising results. After consuming kudzu extract for 4 weeks, the participants reduced their number of weekly https://ecosoberhouse.com/ alcoholic beverages by at least a third. Red ginseng extract also has protective effects from alcohol-induced male reproductive toxicity. There was a significant reduce in sperm motility and progressiveness in mice treated with alcohol for 5 weeks, while administration of red ginseng extract appeared to minimize the harmful effects of alcohol-induced toxicity on male fertility [93].

• In some instances, even a single dose of kudzu extract reduced alcohol consumption and prevented binge drinking (4, 5).
• Meanwhile, the roots of Pueraria lobata showed inhibitory activity against mitochondrial ALDH2, and could increase the concentration of acetaldehyde in blood.
• We previously demonstrated that this kudzu extract significantly reduced alcohol drinking in a group of heavy drinkers during one night of access to preferred brand of beer in a simulated natural environment (Lukas et al., 2005).
• We have subsequently shown that puerarin is the major active isoflavone because 7 days treatment with this compound alone (1,200 mg/day) produced a similar reduction of binge drinking as the extract (Penetar et al., 2012).
• They were required to come to the lab twice a week to provide urine, breath and blood samples to monitor drug use, alcohol drinking and liver function, respectively.

Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) interacts with KUDZU

The isoflavone puerarin is the most abundant antioxidant compound in the kudzu vine (6). This article examines the benefits, uses, and potential side effects of kudzu root. More recently, kudzu root has made its way to Western countries as an herbal supplement. A prior study of kudzu to treat alcohol use in an outpatient setting reported that kudzu had no effect on maintaining sobriety or altering alcohol craving (Shebek and Rindone, 2000). However, these authors noted that there was a large dropout rate, subjects were not supervised while they completed the questionnaires, and there was only a single assessment each month. All of the above factors may have contributed to the negative findings of this study.

For Patients & Caregivers

The study showed that FPEt ameliorated the pathological liver changes and changed protein expression in Chang liver cells as well as improved the levels of antioxidant enzymes. The effects of FPEt were identical to those of the known hepatoprotective agent, silymarin. FPEt might exert cytoprotective effects by enhancing cellular redox status [53].

The reductions in drinking during kudzu extract treatment were modest, but were equivalent to a 34–57% reduction over the treatment weeks; reductions in drinking during placebo treatment ranged from 5.8–36%. The reductions in drinking by kudzu extract were observed by the second week of treatment and persisted through the 4th week of treatment. In addition, the two treatments greatly differed in the percent of days abstinent as well as the number of consecutive days of abstinence. Increased consecutive days of abstinence is a desirable outcome of an alcohol treatment program, especially during the initial phases of treatment (Washton and Zweben, 2006). The fact that kudzu extract nearly doubled the number of consecutive days that individuals maintained abstinence suggests that it may be a useful adjunct during the early weeks of treatment.

• Interestingly, the glucose unit in puerarin is attached to the isoflavone through a unique carbon-carbon bond (C-glycoside) that is substantially more resistant to enzymatic nyarolysis and metabolic deactivation than the ordinary carbonoxygen linkage (O-glycoside).
• Over the 90-minute session, participants consumed an average (3.29 ± 0.7) beers when treated with placebo and (2.28 ± 0.6) beers when treated with puerarin.
• But as soon as the capsules ran out, I concluded that it hadn’t totally “cured” my problem and that I would eventually find something better.

A formula (KSS formula) consisting of pith of citrus tangerine, the rhizome of Zingiber officinale, and brown sugar has been traditionally used in China for the treatment of discomfort after excessive alcohol ingestion. In a clinical effectiveness evaluation study, the hangover symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were alleviated after administration of formula in scheduled prophylactic doses [79]. Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) is a fruit containing high levels of phenolics that could be used for making vinegar. Administration of persimmon-vinegar provided a protection to metabolic disorders induced by chronic alcohol ingestion in rats. It obviously decreased serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and liver total cholesterol levels. The liver non-esterified carnitine level was increased in the persimmon-vinegar-administered groups, which means a protection of lipid oxidation.

Acetaldehyde is categorized as a group 2B carcinogenic substance by the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer, meaning it is possibly carcinogenic to humans [22]. Kudzu root may increase the risk of liver injury or interact with certain medications, like birth control. Anecdotal sources say it may also be harmful to take with medications for diabetes or blood clotting. It’s best to speak with your healthcare provider to determine whether kudzu root could interact with any medications you’re taking. Kudzu root may help treat alcohol dependence, liver damage, and menopausal symptoms.

• The participants were either treated with kudzu or a placebo for nine days, and then received a medium or high alcohol challenge to determine how prominently they presented alcohol-related symptoms.
• In retrospect, my experience demonstrates the utility of kudzu for alcoholism.
• There are no studies showing that Kudzu can serve as a morning-after potion for reducing hangovers.
• I did not know at the time that people also use it to treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms; nor did I care, because I did not intend to quit at the time.