Supplements that block the toxic affect of alcohol?

A Supplement That May Block The Toxic Effects of Alcohol

George D. Lundberg, MD - Consulting Professor, Health Research Policy, Pathology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California

Hello and welcome. I am Dr George Lundberg, and this is At Large at Medscape. September is "be kind to addicts" month (officially National Recovery Month). How can we help?

Of every 100 Americans who drink (140 million), about 12 (16 million) are considered in need of treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and eight will become chemically dependent on alcohol.^[1] Of that eight, one will become addicted very early, even after the first drunken episode. The problem is, we do not yet have a way to predict who that one person will be.

Prevention is always the best answer to addiction. Do not drink. If you do drink, do not ignore the warning signs of becoming a problem drinker.

Let me ask you: How is your blood acetaldehyde today; or, more relevant, how was it late last night? You don't know? Why am I not surprised? Most people don't even think about acetaldehyde.

Ethyl alcohol is metabolized to acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver. Acetaldehyde is metabolized to acetate by aldehyde dehydrogenase and then to carbon dioxide and water. Depending on the alcohol dose, some of the acetaldehyde may escape hepatic metabolism and enter the general blood circulation.

Acetaldehyde is a close cousin to my old pathology lab friend formaldehyde. We use it to pickle surgical and autopsy tissues for preservation. Both are known carcinogens. Our body's defense mechanism against excess acetaldehyde is the amino acid l-cysteine and glutathione. These molecules, similarly to thiamine, contain a sulfhydryl group that is chemically active against aldehydes.

Unless you are one of those people (typically East Asian) who are genetically deficient in aldehyde dehydrogenase or are taking disulfiram, you can metabolize roughly one stiff drink per hour. If you drink more than that, depending on body weight, gastric contents, and the efficiency of your metabolic alcohol breakdown, acetaldehyde will build up because aldehyde dehydrogenase capability can be overwhelmed.

If you quit drinking at 11:00 PM, then around about 1:00 AM, your acetaldehyde level may be elevated and you may feel symptoms of acetaldehyde toxicity, including skin flushing, tachycardia, palpitations, anxiety, nausea, thirst, chest pain, and vertigo. Of course, you are trying to "sleep it off," so you may not feel toxic until the next morning when that dreaded hangover appears.

Metabolizing Alcohol 

My friends in the nutritional supplement community tell me that you can enhance the metabolism of blood alcohol to acetate, carbon dioxide, and water and minimize the acetaldehyde molecular logjam by taking oral supplements. L-cysteine, vitamin C, and vitamin B₁ are purported to help. 

At supplement doses, they are cheap and harmless at worst. At best: Goodbye, acetaldehyde toxicity; hello, restful sleep. About 200 mg of L-cysteine per ounce of alcohol consumed is sufficient to block a major portion of the toxic effect of acetaldehyde. But because alcohol is absorbed and metabolized rapidly, it may be necessary to take L-cysteine before and concurrently with consumption to maintain protection. Also, an excess of vitamin C (perhaps 600 mg) can help keep the L-cysteine in its reduced state and "on the job" against acetaldehyde. Experts recommend these doses (with or without extra B₁): one round before drinking, one with each additional drink, and one when finished.

Some say that this regimen works very well. Do not ask me for a list of published randomized, double-blind clinical trials. Not yet, at least. Research funding into "harm reduction" from addicting substances has not enjoyed favored status in research priorities.

Unfortunately, this concoction may have little effect on next-day hangovers, the causes of which are complex and resistant to prevention—except, obviously, by not drinking too much, which is, of course, the best answer to alcohol anyway.

With drug users, be redemptive, not punitive.

That is my opinion. I am Dr George Lundberg, and this is At Large at Medscape.

Nutritional Support Considerations to help address the Toxic Effects of Alcohol:  Available at www.naturalhealthhaven.net (click on shop and then nutritional supplements link)

Alcohol Detox - (catalog#R216)  

Alcohol Detox is formulated to support "Alcohol Detoxification" and minimize alcohol's negative effects on liver function... (see information below).

Alcohol Detox
Hepatic Support for Alcohol Detoxification
Manufactured by: Nutrition Dynamics, Inc.
Nutritional support complex formulated to support alcohol detoxification.

Two capsules supply:
L-Cysteine HCl ........................................................................ 100 mg

N-Acetyl-Cysteine.................................................................... 100 mg 

Vitamin C ................................................................................. 600 mg 

Thiamin (B1) .............................................................................. 18 mg 

Riboflavin (B2) .......................................................................... 2.2 mg 

Niacinamide (B3) ....................................................................... 16 mg 

Niacin (B3)................................................................................. 14 mg 

Pyridoxine (B6) ......................................................................... 2.4 mg 

Vitamin B12 ...........................................................................16.6 mcg 

Folic Acid ..................................................................................50 mcg 

Pantothenic Acid........................................................................ 16 mg 

Biotin.........................................................................................20 mcg 

Alpha Lipoic Acid ......................................................................... 5 mg 

NOTE: The above dose recommendation is before alcohol consumption, but "Alcohol Detox" would be of benefit after consumption or for "alcohol recovery / detox" @ 2-capsules once or twice daily, as well.

The formulation concept for "Alcohol Detox" was actually two-fold;

1) To provide nutritional support  for the simple detoxification of alcohol, and to minimize and prevent hepatic / liver damage, for the moderate to heavy drinker.

2) To provide nutritional support for the patient going through "alcohol recovery / detox", especially when combined with LiverCare (see below), which would support liver regeneration, in addition to supporting liver detoxification.

Here is a breakdown of the nutrients that are in "Alcohol Detox" and the rationale why,.. (in general);

B-vitamins, (B1,B2, B3, B6, B12, Folic acid, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin), and Vitamin C… Often deficient in alcoholics due to both inadequate intake and alcohol induced impairment in absorption and necessary for liver-based detoxification / healthy liver function.

1) Baines M. Detection and incidence of B and C vitamin deficiency in alcohol-related illness. Ann Clin Biochem 15:307-12, 1978

2) Norton VP. Interrelationships of nutrition and voluntary alcohol consumption in experimental animals. Br J Addiction 72(3):205-12, 1977

N-Acetyl Cysteine / Cysteine is used for preventing alcoholic liver damage and as a "hangover" remedy.

  

• N-acetyl cysteine is the N-acetyl derivative of the amino acid L-cysteine. N-acetyl cysteine is a precursor of glutathione, which is a potent antioxidant. 

• Glutathione can not cross the cell membrane, but N-acetyl cysteine easily crosses the cell membrane where it is converted to cysteine and, subsequently, glutathione. 

• Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl-free radicals reduce intracellular and extracellular concentrations of glutathione.

 

• N-acetyl cysteine is a very efficient way to replenish glutathione and reduce damage caused by ROS.

• The antioxidant effects of N-acetyl cysteine may explain its apparent ability to prevent adverse effects caused by toxic chemicals, alcohol, drug reactions, and nonionic low-osmolality contrast agents.

Alpha Lipoic Acid is utilized in alcohol-related liver disease.

• Alpha-lipoic acid is about 30% absorbed from dietary or supplemental sources, and is reduced to dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) in many tissues. Exogenous alpha-lipoic acid, and the metabolite DHLA, have antioxidant activity and can scavenge free radicals both intra- and extra-cellularly.

• Alpha-lipoic acid is both water and fat soluble and can regenerate endogenous antioxidants, such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and glutathione, and prevent oxidative damage.

• The antioxidant effects of alpha-lipoic acid might be beneficial in liver diseases in which oxidative stress is a factor. Alpha-lipoic acid has shown promise in experimental models to prevent aminoglycoside-induced cochlear damage, and metal (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury) and chemical (hexachlorobenzene, n-hexane) poisoning.

LiverCare® -  (catalog #S505) 

LiverCare® is the world's #1 selling liver support formula recommended for Cirrhosis, Hepatitis, Fatty liver and Elevated liver enzymes

LiverCare® 
Natural Liver Support | Formerly Liv. 52
Manufactured by: Himalaya Drug Company

Two capsules supply:

Proprietary herbal blend ............................................................ 1.28 g

Capers (Capparis spinose Linn.) (root) Wild Chicory (Cichorium intybus Linn.) (seed) Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum Linn.) (whole)
Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna W. & A.) (bark) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium Linn.) (aerial parts) Negro Coffee (Cassia occidentalis Linn.) (seed) Tamarisk (Tamarix gallica Linn.) (whole)

Other ingredients: Magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, crospovidone, aerosil.

NOTE: LiverCare® has been documented to prevent alcohol induced cirrhosis in published literature. (see attached information and PDF below)

LiverCare / Liv-52 - World's #1 selling liver support formula 
Recommended for Cirrhosis, Hepatitis, Fatty liver and Elevated liver enzymes

Liv-52 (LiverCare®) was introduced in 1955 by Himalaya Herbal Healthcare. Since then, it has been sold worldwide and is recognized by thousands of health professionals as one of the most effective liver formulas, with beneficial effects reported in over 300 studies on a variety of cases. Liv52ensures optimum liver function through the protection of the hepatic parenchyma, and by way of its potent antioxidant properties. Liv-52 / LiverCare® neutralizes all kind of toxins and poisons from food, water, air and medications, all sources of detrimental effects on the liver. Counteracting those hard to avoid poisons and protecting one of the body's most important organs. Alcohol users in partucular find Liv-52/LiverCare® helpful in maintaining a healthier liver. It also helps those taking necessary allopathic medications to protect themselves against the damaging hepatoxic side effects.

Liv-52  (LiverCare®) is a unique, all-natural, complex multi-ingredient formula. It is safe and effective in portecting the liver against harmful toxins from drugs, alcohol, food and water. Liv52(LiverCare®) helps regulate levels of enzymes and optimizes assimilation. Liv-52 ( LiverCare®) has also been found to be associated with an increase in serum albumin, which is another indication of the liver protection it provides. Recent work shows that Liv52 (LiverCare®) has cholesterol-regulating action. Clinically, it helps maintain healthy levels of serum cholesterol, lipoproteins, phospholipids and triglycerides.

Liv-52 (LiverCare®) Benefits;

Himalaya Liv-52 (LiverCare®) has a wide variety of benefits.

 Liv52 (LiverCare) can be used in following conditions:

In the prevention and treatment of:

1. Viral hepatitis 

2. Alcoholic liver disease 

3. Pre-cirrhotic conditions and early cirrhosis 

4. Protein energy malnutrition

5. Loss of appetite

6. Radiation and chemotherapy-induced liver damage As an adjuvant with hepatotoxic drugs A valuable adjuvant during convalescence and prolonged illness

OmegaGenics® DHA 600 Concentrate 

Support for Brain Health, Cognitive Function & Eye Health - OmegaGenics® DHA 600 Concentrate features a concentrated, purified source of pharmaceutical-grade omega-3 fatty acids from sustainably sourced, cold-water fish. Each softgel provides a total of 600 mg DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and 60 mg. ofEPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid).

All OmegaGenics® formulas are tested for purity and quality and stabilized with antioxidants to maintain freshness. Learn more about TruQuality™ at <www.WhyOmegaGenics.com>.

An omega-3 compound found in fish oil (DHA) lowers the risk for brain damage caused by long-term alcohol use… A study of rat brain cultures exposed to alcohol levels equivalent to 4 times the legal driving limit showed that animals also exposed to omega-3 docosahexanenoic acid (DHA) had 90% less "neuronal death" and 90% less neuro-inflammation than those not exposed to DHA.

"Too much release of arachidonic acid is going to cause oxidative stress and what we term neuroinflammation processes. Because levels of DHA are depleted by too much alcohol, we looked at replenishing it and saw that that may be protective,”

"We hypothesize that omega-3 fatty acids, specifically DHA...suppresses or prevents the neuronal degeneration due to binge alcohol exposure,” - "

this animal study was not specifically focused on dementia. However, "since brain degeneration underlies persistent or permanent dementia, the results were extrapolated to what might happen in humans.”

"The use of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, in particular DHA, in alcohol-intoxicated patients or withdrawal regimes may be one potential clinical implication of this preclinical study and should be investigated in controlled clinical trials,”

Reference: PLoS One. Published online July 16, 2014.