It is important to place the magnitude of the effects of kudzu extract on alcohol drinking in context. Alcohol drinking was not completely eliminated by kudzu extract in the present study, but was reduced from baseline drinking by an average of 45% over the four weeks of treatment. From a harm reduction perspective, kudzu extract results in a desirable outcome for a population of heavy drinkers, especially when one considers the other important finding of the present study—kudzu extract was without any adverse events and minimal side effects.
Participants
Considerable evidence indicates that GABAARs are the major target of EtOH in the CNS28,29,30,31,32. Some studies show that short-term alcohol exposure increases the inhibitory effect of GABAARs; however, many factors determine whether GABAARs respond to short-term alcohol exposure33. Alcohol can act as kudzu root alcohol a depressant by increasing inhibitory neurotransmission, by decreasing excitatory neurotransmission, or through a combination of both13,34. Commonly, alcohol consumption can induce decreases in attention, alterations in memory, reductions in executive decision-making, changes in mood, and drowsiness.
- Single or acute alcohol consumption is an alcohol intake that occurs over a short period of time.
- By affecting estrogen in the body, kudzu may decrease the effectiveness of some drugs.
- Supporting evidence by Keung et al. (1995) has shown that the ability of structural analogs of daidzin to increase 5-HIAL accumulation is positively correlated with the compound’s alcohol-suppressing capabilities.
- The PKCepsilon phosphorylation of γ2 regulates the response of GABAARs to specific allosteric modulators, and in particular, PKCepsilon inhibition renders these receptors sensitive to low concentrations of EtOH84.
Kudzu for Alcoholism: The Ultimate Dosage Guide
While natural remedies like kudzu show promise, they are not a standalone solution. A comprehensive approach that includes medical supervision, counseling, and support is essential for addressing alcoholism effectively. In humans, benefits from kudzu on hot flashes, night sweats, and cognitive function are also attributed to isoflavones (5) (6). Puerarin particularly has been credited with influencing alcohol consumption patterns, although the mechanism by which this might occur is unknown (19). The most common adverse events include cognitive dysfunction, abnormal sensations (eg, numbness and tingling), and anorexia and taste abnormalities. Additional rare but serious adverse events have been identified, such as metabolic acidosis, acute myopia, and secondary narrow-angle glaucoma.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
It’s important to note that this is a case study, so it can’t prove kudzu root caused this liver injury. Scientists need to do more research to investigate the potential of kudzu root to cause liver injury in humans. Findings show that subjects who took kudzu drank an average of 1.8 beers per session, compared with the 3.5 beers consumed by those who took a placebo. Alcohol is removed from the body primarily through metabolism in the liver. Approximately 90% of the alcohol is metabolized in the liver by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) followed by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), while the gastrointestinal tract, lungs and kidneys play only a minor role146. Because alcohol-metabolizing enzymes such as ADH, ALDH and the microsomal alcohol oxidizing system (MEOS) contribute to the clearance of alcohol and toxic acetaldehyde, substances that stimulate these enzyme activities are expected to ameliorate alcohol toxicity.
6 Data Analysis
- It’s even been nicknamed “mile a minute vine” in traditional folk times.
- Symptoms include flushing of the skin, accelerated heart rate, shortness of breath, etc.
- The data provide strong evidence that heavy drinking triggered by chronic stress and any type of induced anxiety are risk factors for developing alcohol dependence.
- Both studies suggest GABAAR involvement in mediating drinking behavior.
The device consisted of a 0.76 m square plywood platform mounted on 4 pressure sensitive load cells. Output from the cells was collected on a dedicated computer running software that computed a single point in Cartesian coordinate system at a rate of 20 Hz. Stability/sway was defined as an area measurement of the total points collected in a 30-second period. As this was one of the initial uses of the device, 4 different stance positions were evaluated.
- Together they are an even worse addiction problem and difficult to overcome.
- The drinks were administered between 2 and 2.5 hours after consumption of the morning dose of medication as blood levels of puerarin peak at this time (Penetar et al., 2006).
- Heart HealthKudzu root extracts may help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides – key markers of heart disease.
- This is because isoflavones can help dilate blood vessels, allowing for better blood flow.
- If you have ever driven through the South and looked into fields and wooded areas noticing a vine-like plant resembling a topiary, chances are that plant was kudzu.
Taking kudzu along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Kudzu has been shown to be effective in reducing alcohol cravings and consumption in the short term. However, more research is needed to determine its long-term effectiveness in promoting alcoholism recovery. As with any herbal supplement, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional before incorporating kudzu into one’s regimen, especially if taking medications or dealing with specific health conditions.
Does microwaving food make it less healthy?
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. Separate general linear model ANOVAs for data with repeated measurements were used to analyze the number of drinks per week and the number of heavy drinking days per week. The two treatments (kudzu and placebo) were analyzed as fixed effects and time (weeks since randomization) as a repeated-measurements effect. Effect size is reported using the variance-accounted for statistic Partial Eta-Squared (η2Partial).
Potential downsides
The absence of standardized dosages and recommended administration methods for kudzu necessitates expert guidance. Your healthcare provider can help determine the most suitable approach based on your unique circumstances. In one small study of postmenopausal women, transient negative profiles including anemia and liver profiles (5).
