Kudzu Root Extract Does Not Perturb the Sleep Wake Cycle of Moderate Drinkers PMC
There’s not a recommended dosage for kudzu root, but there have been human studies that can help guide you. This product may adversely interact with certain health and medical conditions, other prescription and over-the-counter drugs, foods, or other dietary supplements. This product may be unsafe when used before surgery or other medical procedures. It is important to fully inform your doctor about the herbal, vitamins, mineral or any other supplements you are taking before any kind of surgery or medical procedure. A prior study of kudzu to treat alcohol use in an outpatient setting reported that kudzu had no effect on maintaining sobriety or altering alcohol craving (Shebek and Rindone, 2000).
- Kudzu can be taken in conjunction with other medications for alcoholism, but it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before combining treatments.
- Synthetic versions of this selective ALDH-2 inhibitor are being investigated as potential medications to suppress relapse in abstinent alcoholics.
- However, it does not make people feel more drunk, or affect their physical abilities or mental agility.
- If you’re not sure whether kudzu root is right for you, talk with your doctor.
- No competing financial interest exists for Bethany K. Bracken, David M. Penetar, R. Ross Maclean, or Scott E. Lukas.
- Using the continuous measure of alcohol consumption, drinking was quantified using a number of different variables as noted above.
Vitacost Kudzu Root Extract
However, these authors noted that there was a large dropout rate, subjects were not supervised while they completed the questionnaires, and there was only a single assessment each month. All of the above factors may have contributed to the negative findings of this study. One study in mice found that kudzu vine extract was highly beneficial in treating alcohol-induced liver damage by scavenging harmful free radicals and boosting the natural antioxidant system (6).
May alleviate menopausal symptoms
- Kudzu Root, an herbal remedy gaining popularity in the wellness community, is known for its wide range of health benefits.
- A total of 21 adult males (17 Caucasian, 1 African American, 2 Hispanic, 1 Middle Eastern; mean age 23.8 ± 3.46 years, range 21–33) were recruited through advertisements in local and college newspapers and flyers posted in the Boston area.
- While you can find kudzu vine almost anywhere in the South by taking a drive on a country road, kudzu root is probably most popular by way of a supplement or as kudzu root tea that can be found at most health food stores.
- Kudzu Root is rich in phytoestrogens, which are plant-based compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body.
Furthermore, it’s likely that the suggested doses for kudzu root will vary depending on the manufacturer and the type of supplement you may be considering. There isn’t much scientific evidence available on the dosing for kudzu root as a supplement. For this reason, it’s difficult to make recommendations for various uses. Small studies in people have observed noteworthy improvements in these menopausal symptoms, among others, like vaginal dryness (9, 10). Kudzu root is rich in antioxidants, compounds that protect cells from oxidative stress that can lead to disease. The isoflavone puerarin is the most abundant antioxidant compound in the kudzu vine (6).
Health Challenges
The kudzu plant resembles poison ivy, so it’s important to know how to identify it correctly. Antioxidants help neutralize these molecules, reducing the risk of oxidative stress and related health problems.
- 'Perfectly safe'In 2003, David Overstreet and other scientists found the herb to be effective in reducing alcohol intake on rats.
- A bottle offers a 100-day supply, supporting peak health for three months.
- While scientific research on kudzu’s effectiveness in addressing alcoholism is limited, some studies have shown promising results.
- There is some evidence that kudzu root dietary supplements may cause liver injury.
Decreased drinking due to ALDH-2 inhibition is attributed to the aversive properties of acetaldehyde accumulated during alcohol consumption. However, daidzin can reduce drinking in some rodents without necessarily increasing acetaldehyde. A standardized formulation of kudzu extract produced minimal side effects, was well-tolerated, and resulted in a modest reduction in alcohol consumption in young nontreatment-seeking heavy drinkers. Additional studies using treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent persons will be necessary to determine the usefulness of this herbal preparation in reducing alcohol use in other populations.
PLANT DISEASES CAUSED BY PARASITIC HIGHER PLANTS, INVASIVE CLIMBING PLANTS, AND PARASITIC GREEN ALGAE
Finally, kudzu root extract did not affect sleep quantity as measured by the number of sleep episodes, the time asleep per episode, and the time spent immobile (Fig. 3). A study published in Psychopharmacology involved four weeks of treatment of best kudzu for alcoholism 17 men ages 21–33 years old. These men reported drinking 27.6 ± 6.5 drinks/week with a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and/or alcohol dependence. They consumed either kudzu extract or matched placebo on a daily basis. 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.
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