Kudzu’s antioxidants help reduce inflammation, which can benefit joint health and overall wellness. Sometimes we feel the need to ‘cleanse’ our body, to facilitate weight or fluid loss, or to eliminate toxins that we may have ingested from the occasional unhealthy meal. Tell your healthcare providers about any dietary supplements you’re taking, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and natural or home remedies. drug addiction Yes—traditional Asian diets incorporate fresh or fermented forms of the plant root but supplements provide concentrated doses. Given these limitations, experts recommend viewing kudzu as a complementary option rather than a cure-all treatment.
Side Effects and Safety
These could be attributed to the vasodilatory and antioxidant effects of kudzu. Anti-inflammatory properties are attributed to decreased prostaglandin E2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha release, both of which are involved in inflammatory processes (3). The isoflavone tectorigenin demonstrated antiproliferative activity via cell differentiation and reduced expression of Bcl-2, an antiapoptotic protein (1).
Table of Contents
Results from these experimental days again showed no effect of the kudzu extract alone on our measures. Alcohol resulted in a dose-related alteration in subjective measures of intoxication, impairment of stance stability, and vigilance/reaction time. Kudzu extract did not alter participants’ subjective responses to the alcohol challenge or to alcohol’s effects on stance stability or vigilance/reaction time. However, individuals treated with kudzu extract experienced a slightly more rapid rise in plasma ethanol levels, but only after the 0.7 g/kg dose. This transient effect during the first 30 minutes of the ascending plasma alcohol curve lasted only minutes; there were no differences in peak plasma alcohol levels or alcohol elimination kinetics. Additionally, kudzu pretreatment enhanced the effects of the 0.7 g/kg dose of alcohol on heart rate and skin temperature.
Healthy digestion and intestinal rhythm through plants
A few drops of vodka were placed in each cup on top of the orange juice just prior to administration to provide a mild alcohol aroma. Before starting kudzu extract—or any herbal supplement—it’s vital to understand possible side effects, interactions with medications, appropriate dosing strategies, and contraindications related to hormone-sensitive conditions. Always consult your healthcare provider prior to use especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking other medications or have underlying health concerns. Effects vary depending on usage purpose; some individuals report reduced https://ecosoberhouse.com/ alcohol cravings within days while hormonal symptom relief may take weeks. The primary active components of kudzu extract are isoflavones—plant-derived compounds structurally similar to human estrogen. Isoflavones can bind to estrogen receptors in the body and exert weak estrogen-like effects.
Medical
- As drinking behavior was measured using a wrist actigraphy device, we were able to monitor alcohol consumption continuously, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
- Cravings are often linked to the rewarding effects of alcohol, so kudzu’s ability to change the dopamine system can impact cravings and their intensity.
- The mRNA levels of GPx, phospholipid hydroperoxide, and selenoprotein were significantly improved compared with the alcohol-treated embryos 95.
Our primary objective is to ensure our content is thoroughly fact-checked, maintaining a commitment to accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness. It’s essential to follow the recommended dosage instructions provided on the product label. However, consulting with a healthcare provider or herbalist is advisable, as they can offer personalized guidance based on your health goals and specific circumstances. Using Kudzu for extended periods has not been well-studied, and its long-term effects are not fully understood. It’s advisable to use Kudzu for shorter durations or as recommended by a healthcare provider. There is limited research on the safety of Kudzu during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
No competing financial interest exists for Bethany K. Bracken, David M. Penetar, R. Ross Maclean, or Scott E. Lukas. Some animal studies indicate that kudzu may protect brain cells from damage caused by toxins or ischemia (lack of blood flow). This could have implications for treating neurological conditions in the future. « It is also possible that there is another, as yet undiscovered compound in the mixture that accounts for the effects. Thus, the mechanism of action of the kudzu extract remains unknown. » Finally, some natural products for the prevention and treatment of hangover and alcohol use disorder are summarized in Table 1. The main processes of the oxidative pathway are mediated by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which transform alcohol into acetaldehyde and then to acetate, respectively 20.
The result showed that the group that had received kudzu significantly reduced their consumption of alcoholic drinks during the drinking session. The concept that a more rapid delivery of alcohol to the brain would result in a decrease (and not an increase) in drinking behavior seems counter intuitive. Admittedly, the magnitude of the change in plasma ethanol levels in the present study is modest and may not be biologically significant, in spite of the observed statistical significance. We are currently engaged in studies employing proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to directly measure whether kudzu extract alters the rate and concentration of alcohol that actually enters the human brain. Studies such as this will likely yield more information on how kudzu extract reduces alcohol consumption. As previously mentioned, isoflavone compounds may alter alcohol consumption and effects through alterations in central reward pathways.
Other Health Benefits of Kudzu Extract
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). The present study revealed that kudzu extract is also effective in heavy drinkers in their home, work and/or school environment. All of the above mentioned mechanisms, with the exception of a disulfiram-like one, require repeated administration and time to develop. Since consuming alcohol while taking kudzu extract is kudzu extract alcohol not aversive, another explanation is necessary to account for the extremely fast onset of action observed in the present study. The correlational analysis of absolute amount of alcohol consumed and breath alcohol levels in this study indicates that the physiological effects and the rate of elimination of ingested alcohol are not altered by kudzu administration.