‎Diet Science: Common Kudzu Root has Many Culinary Uses and also Reduces Alcohol Cravings on Apple Podcasts

This herb should be avoided by alcoholics, however, because it too has the potential to cause severe liver damage. Many other supplements can potentially be toxic to the liver, an organ already compromised by alcoholism, which is why it is important to first consult with a doctor before taking any supplements for alcohol cravings. Moreover, in vitro, daidzin potently suppresses hamster liver mitochondria-catalyzed acetaldehyde oxidation. Additionally, Lin et al. also showed that daidzin, are efficacious in lowering blood alcohol levels and shorten sleep time induced by alcohol ingestion in rat models of alcoholism. Furthermore, other isoflavonoids found in Kudzu were also evaluated by Lin et al. . When given orally to P rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day, daidzein, daidzin, and puerarin decreased ethanol intake by 75%, 50%, and 40%, respectively without negative effects on overall water consumption. In fact Lin et al. suggested the anti- craving effects of these compounds may be due to CNS mechanisms.

“The most urgent need is helping people who cannot help themselves, who need a drug to help them stop drinking,” Keung said. Lukas’ study was inspired by Dr. Wing Ming Keung, a pathology professor at Harvard Medical School who has studied kudzu’s potential medical applications. Get FREE daily coaching messages from Chris Scott to help you quit or cut down on alcohol in just 10 days. The information we provide while responding to comments is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The responses to comments on fitrecovery.com are designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment. Please seek professional care if you believe you may have a condition.

Can We Predict Compulsive Drinking?

On the other side of the safety issue, Singh et al. evaluated the protective effects of puerarin from kudzu root against alcohol-induced toxicities. Alcohol withdrawal after 70 days of drinking generated severe withdrawal symptoms including seizure-type EEG activity. Puerarin suppressed the addictionmediated abnormalities but did not affect the inflammation-related abnormalities. However, Lukas et al. from McLean Hospital designed a study to test the efficacy of a kudzu extract in a clinical population. Specifically, male and female “heavy” alcohol drinkers were treated with either placebo or a kudzu extract for 7 days and then given an opportunity to drink their preferred brand of beer while in a naturalistic environment. They found that Kudzu treatment resulted in significant reduction in the number of beers consumed. A natural product called polyenylphosphatidylcholine may reduce liver damage in chronic alcohol abuse and fatty acid supplementation may reduce the severity of alcohol withdrawal while improving mood and overall cognitive performance.

That is why alcohol detox and alcohol withdrawal treatment is administered by medical professionals. Antabuse is not available OTC and requires a prescription from a doctor. People should consult with their doctor to determine if it is the rightdrug for their alcohol dependence. Never take a new medication or adjust existing prescriptions without the approval of a doctor who is aware of previous health issues and current prescriptions. Due to potentially life-threatening side effects, alcohol withdrawal should typically be supervised by a medical professional. Several medications are approved by the FDA to alleviate alcohol cravings, but are prescription only.

Natural Epigenetic-Modifying Molecules in Medical Therapy

Although some human studies have found no benefit, other studies have found that kudzu can reduce alcohol consumption in heavy drinkers. A study published in 2013 in “Psychopharmacology” found that kudzu extract caused a modest reduction in alcohol cravings in young heavy drinkers who weren’t seeking treatment. WebMD states that although kudzu extract, when taken for seven days, can reduce alcohol cravings in heavy drinkers, it does not seem to provide the same benefits for chronic alcoholics. Regardless of the mechanism of action, the present finding that a modest, single dose of kudzu extract reduces binge drinking has profound implications as it offers a unique opportunity for early intervention for problem drinkers. As an herbal plant extract, kudzu can be made available without a prescription. While it does not completely eliminate drinking, it is clearly effective in significantly reducing intake, which offers individuals an opportunity to engage in more responsible drinking patterns.

We read the research to find out what science has to say about this plant. Scientists need to do more research on the safe and effective dosages of kudzu root for various uses. For instance, it may reduce the effectiveness of birth control due to its estrogenic effects . Kudzu root offered heart-protective benefits to mice with burn-induced heart injuries. People have also used it in traditional Chinese medicine for heart disease, but scientists need to do more research on this .

May reduce alcohol dependence

It is one of the substances known as isoflavones found in kudzu. Never take a new medication for alcohol dependence without consulting a doctor first. Prescription medications to help someone stop drinking are Topiramate, Naltrexone, Acamprosate and Antabuse. DL-phenylalanine is an essential amino acid which plays an important role in the functioning of your nervous system. If your body is deficient in this amino acid, it’s common to experience fatigue, confusion, memory problems, a decrease in alertness, and to have a reduced appetite. D-phenylalanine also slows the breakdown of endorphins, which act as the body’s natural painkiller, prolonging their release into the body.

• Animal studies suggest that ibogaine and its primary metabolite, noribogaine, significantly reduce alcohol consumption in rats genetically engineered to prefer alcohol.
• Subjects were given an 8 week supply of the compound with instructions and dosing logs.
• When triggered by bitter compounds, these receptors then stimulate a myriad of bodily functions [19-21].
• Today, kudzu grows in other parts of the world as well, including in the southern United States.
• The main compounds found in the root of the kudzu are the isoflavones, like the compound daidzein, also included are the isoflavone glycosides, like daidzin and the compound called puerarin.
• According to New York University Langone Medical Center, the herb passion flower may be useful in reducing alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

The researchers observed 12 men and women in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. 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.

Kudzu Recovery: Conclusion

More research is needed, but early studies suggest that CBD may help with pain management, anxiety, alcohol cravings, and even liver and brain damage linked to excessive drinking. Despite its presence in marijuana, CBD itself does not cause an individual to feel high. If you can find a pure or reliable source of CBD, it might be worth trying as a supplement for alcohol withdrawal. An extract of the Chinese herbal root kudzu reduces alcohol drinking by heavy drinkers in a naturalistic setting. Kudzu root is linked to a wide range of potential health benefits from easing menopausal symptoms to treating alcohol dependence. Still, more research needs to be done to prove whether it’s truly effective. The participants reported their desire for and consumption of alcohol for the duration of the study.

Vitamin A, when taken in high doses, can cause alcoholic liver disease. Although B-complex vitamins can be useful for curbing alcohol drinking, niacin, when taken in high doses, can be toxic to the liver. NYU Langone Medical Center notes that one herb, known as kava, has been suggested to help with alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Soy Isoflavone Extract Does Not Increase the Intoxicating Effects of Acute Alcohol Ingestion in Human Volunteers

Applications of Pueraria lobata in treating diabetics and reducing alcohol drinking. If you’re not sure whether kudzu root is right for you, talk kudzu root for alcohol cravings with your doctor. They can give you personalized advice that takes into account any other supplements or medications you may be taking.

My experience was limited to an experiment that I did years ago to see if taking the herb would reduce my drinking levels. They are now studying a single large dose before a planned drinking session to see if it works, too. During the week of puerarin treatment, they drank slightly less than during the placebo week — three drinks a day compared to 3.4. For a final session, they took whichever pill they didn’t take the first time.

Kudzu Root Helps Conquer Alcohol Craving

Some health companies sell the kudzu root species Pueraria mirifica as a supplement for menopausal and postmenopausal women. Natural therapies could help reduce https://ecosoberhouse.com/ cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms. Kudzu may also help heavy drinkers cut the amount of alcohol they consume, even if they are not being treated for AUD.

Though KU inhibited the alcohol intake and alcohol tolerance development, it reduced ghrelin levels in alcohol-preferring rats, which could play a role as an indicator of the currently used drugs. It is suggested that miltirone is the likely active constituent of S. Miltiorrhiza responsible for the reducing effect of its extracts on alcohol intake in different experimental models of excessive alcohol consumption. Identification of miltirone as active ingredient of Salvia miltiorrhiza responsible for the reducing effect of root extracts on alcohol intake in rats.

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My problem at the time was a denial of the severity of my drinking problem. Kudzu did what it was supposed to do – it curbed my drinking noticeably.