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KUDZU AND ALCOHOL ABUSE

If someone you know might be drinking more than you think they should, there’s some good news. New studies show connections between alcoholism and the kudzu vine, which may help combat alcohol abuse. Researchers have identified that the root of the kudzu vine has properties which can help suppress the cravings for alcohol.

Now, alcoholism doesn’t occur overnight. It’s often a gradual process from the first drink, to heavier drinking, to frank alcoholism. Not all young heavy drinkers go on to alcoholism, but it’s certainly a setup for the problem.

At PS450, a bar in midtown Manhattan, John, a professional enjoying a Thursday night happy hour, says he drinks, “12 to 15 drinks depending on the night. 4 nights a week I go out.”

Dan, another reveler, says, “My friend Eugene over here drinks 6 nights a week. He drinks a lot but he can handle it. He likes to party and he’s used to it, so it’s fine.”

Eugene concurs, “30 drinks a week is not bad.”

Or is it?

Dr. Petros Levounis, the Director of the Addiction Institute of New York at Roosevelt Hospital says, “As a matter of fact people who can hold their drink are the ones who should be most worried about becoming alcoholics, because from a genetic basis they seem to have a higher tolerance for alcohol.”

Can that be prevented?

Now, a small, yet exciting new study out of Harvard Medical Center and McLean Hospital says alcoholism can be dealt with using the kudzu vine. The kudzu vine contains an active ingredient called isoflavones, and may help heavy drinkers drink less.
Participants in the study which looked at the effects of kudzu on alcohol consumption, were allowed to kick back in the mock studio apartment which had a refrigerator stocked with a favorite brand of beer and other nonalcoholic drinks.
The subjects took extract pills made by the researchers for one week, and they also took placebo pills for a week.

Of the 11 participants who completed the study, one hardy soul when using the kudzu extract drank one more beer when on placebo, two participants drank the same number of beers, but eight drank fewer beers when using Kudzu. In addition, they drank smaller sips of each beer while taking the kudzu extract.

It’s felt that the kudzu may be prolonging or enhancing the effects of the first drink, satiating the brain receptors for alcohol and eliminating or at least delaying the desire to drink subsequent beers. The researchers believe the kudzu extract might be useful for reducing binge drinking, and preventing those on the verge of becoming alcoholic from stepping over that line.

But even if those at risk knew they were at risk, would they want to cut down?

Dan says, “Cut down the number of drinks that I’m going to drink? No!”

Another patron, John, says, “No way. Why would I want that? You come out to drink, why would you want to cut down??”

“If every time you drink, you drink more than 4 or 5 drinks, it certainly is a worrying sign,” instructs Dr. Levounis.

This was a very small study, and more research is needed to validate the findings. But the fact is, kudzu extract has been used as a part of Chinese medicine since the 1600s to help control intoxication.
The lead researcher in this study on the effects of kudzu on alcoholism says that his preparation was made specially, and it’s being patented, but is not yet available commercially.

He says that all the over the counter kudzu preparations he tested do not contain adequate amounts of the isoflavone chemicals. Any benefit from them is likely because of the number of pills required on the label fills up the stomach preventing the ability to take in as much alcohol as usual.

If you do suffer from alcohol dependence or alcoholism, kudzu might be able to help you. There are other medications which are helpful, like acamprosate, and naltrexone. The importance of counseling cannot be understated.
Do not try to self-treat alcohol abuse. Go see a professional.

For more information on alcohol abuse, alcoholism and kudzu, click here:

http://www.alcoholism-cer.com.

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