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Supplements
By Michael Biamonte, C.C.N.
Have you ever felt the need to check into the health spa after the holidays to recuperate from wine, food and holiday cheer?
Well this can be avoided if you understand a little about the biochemistry involved in alcohol and food consumption. As a holiday gift to you, readers, I would like to share with you some invaluable advice and protocols to avoid or reduce hangovers and the holiday blues.
ALCOHOL
Alcohol is detoxified by the body into harmless substances. The body needs nutrients in order to do this. If the body has the proper supply of these nutrients, it can detoxify alcohol fast enough so that its negative effects will be mild, if any.
If alcohol is consumed faster than the body can mobilize the nutrients to break it down, free radicals are created. Free radicals are like little chemical buzz bombs that hit your cells and cause an explosion. This damages the cell and makes you, the cell owner, feel sick.
Here are some rules and guidelines to follow to help eliminate or prevent hangovers:
- Never drink on an empty stomach. The alcohol will absorb directly into your blood stream and then have a head start on you. Always consume food high in proteins or fats while drinking. Pate' or cold meats, cheese, nuts and olives are examples cocktail hour snacks that will slow down the absorption of alcohol.
- Starchy or sweet items should be avoided while drinking. They can increase the potential and severity of a hangover.
- Drink water! The body requires water in order to break down alcohol. This is why we wake up with a dry mouth in the middle of the night after overindulging. While drinking try to make a practice to consume an eight ounce glass of water for every 2 glasses of alcohol beverage. If you can't, try to load up on water before going to bed. Also, keep a large pitcher of water by your bedside. If you wake up with a dry mouth, drink lots of water. Do not just drink enough water to "wet your whistle". Drink water whenever your mouth feels dry during the night. This alone can greatly reduce a hangover.
- Eat eggs before and after drinking if you are going out for some serious celebrating. Eggs contain an amino acid called cysteine. Cysteine is necessary for the liver to break down alcohol. Garlic and onions also contain some cysteine.
VITAMINS & MINERALS
Vitamins are the key soldiers in the war against hangovers. They can work miracles during the holidays, but only if you take them at high enough doses. If you try to use food sources of these nutrients your results will be poor. Foods do not contain high enough doses to do the job. Here is a break down of the most important:
- Vitamin B1: This is the major B vitamin depleted by alcohol. Its loss is what causes poor recollection of the previous night's festivities and confusion as to "where did I park my car?" RECOMMENDED DOSE WHILE DRINKING: 100 MG PER HOUR. MORNING AFTER DOSE: 500 MG.
- Vitamin C: Another important nutrient in detoxing alcohol. Vitamin C helps neutralize the toxic byproducts of alcohol that are responsible for the ill effects. RECOMMENDED DOSE WHILE DRINKING: 1000 MG PER HOUR. MORNING AFTER DOSE: 3000 MG.
- ZINC: this mineral helps form enzymes that remove alcohol from the blood stream and move it into the liver where it can be broken down. Take 25 mg before drinking, and then another 25 mg in the morning with breakfast.
- CYSTEINE: This is the amino acid found in eggs. It can be purchased in 500 mg capsules from your health food store. RECOMMENDED DOSE WHILE DRINKING: 500 MG PER HOUR. MORNING AFTER DOSE: 1000 MG.
- MAGNESIUM: This mineral is depleted by alcohol. Its loss causes frequent waking during the night and the inability to tolerate noise the morning after. RECOMMENDED DOSE WHILE DRINKING: 500 MG BEFORE THE PARTY AND 500 MG BEFORE BED. MORNING AFTER DOSE: 500 MG AT BREAKFAST AND LUNCH. WARNING CHEAP MAGNESIUM PRODUCTS CAN CAUSE LOOSE STOOL OR DIARRHEA.
- B COMPLEX (OPTIONAL): If you are so inspired, you may want to take a 50mg B complex tablet before and during the party. All B vitamins are lost during alcohol consumption. It's best to supplement them all for best results.
If you follow this to the letter and still get a hangover, just imagine how bad you would be feeling had you not taken all these vitamins!
Michael Biamonte holds a Doctorate of Nutripathy, and is a New York State certified Clinical Nutritionist. He is a professional member of the International and American Association of Clinical Nutritionists,The American College of Nutrition and is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board. He is listed in "The Directory of Distinguished Americans" for his research in Nutrition and Physiology.
For an appointment, contact our office at:
Michael Biamonte, C.C.N.
139 Fulton St.
Suite 507
New York, NY 10038
(212) 587-2330
©1997 - Current Year: MTB Management, Inc.
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