Trust Me, I’m a Doctor, Series 4, Episode 4 Will kudzu supplement pills make me drink less alcohol?

In one small study of postmenopausal women, transient negative profiles including anemia and liver profiles (5). Other small studies reported no significant adverse effects (9) (19) (20) (21) (23). A growing number of double-blind, peer-reviewed studies have confirmed the effectiveness of using kudzu for alcoholism. Early research focused on rats with good results, which were later replicated with human subjects. In terms of what I felt when I took this plant, my experience supports the observations of others who note that it might act like a much gentler form of disulfiram or Antabuse.

Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with KUDZU

“Therefore, the next step in the research was to assess the effects of kudzu extract on different physical, behavioral and cognitive features in humans.” There are many ways, both medical and traditional, that are used to treat alcohol abuse or dependence. In China, kudzu root extract has been commonly used to reduce, but not eliminate, alcohol consumption and dependence. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Despite its history, the mechanism of action for kudzu extract is still unknown, and that is what the current research explores. Asparagus officinalis, a popular vegetable, is consumed widely and has long been used as an herbal medicine to several diseases. Asparagus officinalis is applied for alleviating hangover and protecting liver cells from alcohol toxic.

Natural Products with Anti-Hangover Properties

In the second, participants who were treated for 4 weeks with kudzu extract significantly reduced their alcohol consumption during weeks 2 through 4 of the study (Lukas et al., 2013). 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 kudzu to stop drinking reduction of binge drinking as the extract (Penetar et al., 2012). Given that a week of preplanning is unlikely before a binge drinking episode or opportunity, we built on our previous findings to explore in the present experiment if a single dose of kudzu extract taken shortly before a drinking session would reduce alcohol consumption.

• You may be wondering how people use kudzu root and what to know when considering whether to give it a try.
• The health effects of drinking depend on the quantity and pattern of alcohol consumption.
• Owing to its hepatoprotective ability, it has been used for the treatment of liver diseases and alcohol toxicity.

2 Behavioral and Subjective Effects

The scale was connected to a computer in an adjacent room that ran a customized program that sampled the scale at 5 Hz and detected any weight changes that exceeded 1 gm. Additional details and photos of the device can be found in Lukas et al. (2005). To preserve the double-blind, kudzu and placebo capsules were repacked into #00 opaque capsules (Apothecary Products, Minneapolis, MN). Morning and evening sets of capsules also contained a 25 mg tablet of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and the afternoon sets contained an additional placebo capsule, in addition to the two kudzu extract capsules, in order to maintain a uniform number (3) of capsules. Capsule sets were individually packaged in small envelopes and marked on the outside with date and time of day to be consumed.

Kudzu root is available in lots of forms including capsules, liquid extracts, and powder. There’s not a recommended dosage for kudzu root, but there have been human studies that can help guide you. For alcoholics, Kudzu is definitely worth trying, especially given the fact there is no risk involved. Where a patient does not want to consider prescription drugs, natural Chinese medicines such as this one can be used alongside behavioural alcohol rehab treatments and peer-led groups to help in recovery.

• The BDI measures of the placebo-treated participants were 2.0 ± 2.58 and 1.67 ± 1.37 at baseline and during treatment, respectively.
• Participants were instructed to report when they consumed each drink, which was defined as a 12 oz can of beer, 5 oz glass of wine or 1.5 oz distilled spirits.
• The last study above was designed to test the hypothesis that kudzu accelerates the subjective experience of alcohol intoxication.
• The kudzu root may interact with certain medications or pose other health risks for certain people.
• Recent results showed that puerarin significantly decreased the triglyceride and total cholesterol content in liver of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

What should I not eat or drink when I’m taking medication?

Interestingly, the wild type of P. lobata contains much higher isoflavonoids (up to 12%) than cultivated and eatable species (1%-3%) (P. thomsonii Benth.). Harvard researchers first discovered the anti-drinking effects of the kudzu extract in 2005. Previous studies had shown that kudzu extracts reduced alcohol drinking in rats and hamsters. In this study, researchers tested the effect of kudzu extract on drinking by humans in a naturalistic setting. “Recently, preclinical studies with animals have shown reductions in alcohol consumption when treated with isoflavones contained in the kudzu root,” said Penetar.

4 Safety, Side Effects and Adverse Event Reporting

How much water should I be drinking?

Natural Plants for Alcohol Use Disorder