The holidays provide endless justifiable excuses for overindulgence, particularly for food and alcohol. While that last tequila shooter with the co-workers sounded like a good idea at the time, the next morning may tell a different tale.
What we call a ‘hangover' – headaches, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound following excessive alcohol consumption, is a result of dehydration and toxicity. If adequate measures are taken while alcohol is being consumed or before going to bed, hangover symptoms might be averted.
Hydrate
One of the best preventive measures is to drink at least one glass of water for every alcoholic drink. Alcohol's diuretic effect removes four times more fluid than is consumed. The dehydration causes the brain to shrink slightly, pulling on membranes connecting it to the skull and instigating the intense ‘day after' headaches. Drink 2-3 large glasses of water before going to bed.
Replenish Minerals & Electrolytes
Along with lost fluids, alcohol depletes essential minerals and electrolytes, including potassium. Taken before bed, a sports drink serves double duty, providing both hydration and lost electrolytes. Eating potassium-rich foods also helps. If your noggin' can't evoke these foods ‘the day after,' any raw fruit or vegetable will do.
| Food sources of potassium (K) | ||
| Baked winter squash | 3/4 cup | 780 mg |
| Cooked kidney beans | 1 cup | 710 mg |
| Baked potato | 1 | 610 mg |
| Cantaloupe | 1 cup | 490 mg |
| Orange juice | 1 cup | 470 mg |
| Banana | 1 | 470 mg |
| Steamed zucchini | 1 cup | 450 mg |
| Raisins | 1/4 cup | 300 mg |
| Cooked asparagus | 1 cup | 290 mg |
Detox with Milk Thistle
The breakdown of alcohol in the liver results in the generation of free radicals and toxic compounds, including acetaldehyde, a poisonous metabolic by-product of alcohol metabolism responsible for many of the symptoms of a hangover. In the liver, glutathione, a protein with antioxidant activity, aids in the detoxification and removal of harmful toxins, including acetaldehyde.
The medicinal plant, milk thistle increases glutathione levels in the body. Over 150 clinical studies have shown its ability as an antioxidant to protect and regenerate liver cells, even after alcohol abuse. Take 10-20 drops of milk thistle tincture with water either before (or during) alcohol consumption or before going to bed. Tinctures or capsules are available at your local natural products store.
Take Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help to recolonize the intestinal tract. Bifidus, in particular, detoxifies acetaldehyde. A teaspoon of Bifidus powder in a glass of water taken before bed will do the trick.
Try a Commercial Formula…
Also available are patented commercial formulas specifically designed to thwart post-celebration misery.
GTOX the Hangover Blocker is a detox shot that you drink before bed. GTOX attaches itself to alcohol molecules for faster removal from the liver, averting hangover symptoms altogether. The product's main ingredient, glucarate, a natural plant compound, helps the liver eliminate certain chemicals and hormones.
Jackson Zapp, GTOX's VP of Sales and Marketing, truly believes in the science-backed hangover blocker and boasts that he has "personally done some serious field testing on GTOX."
Or an Ionizing Footbath…
The ionizing footbath, a popular form of detoxification, may help reduce hangover symptoms. While the science behind this form of hydrotherapy remains a little sketchy, its proponents swear by it. As your feet soak in the footbath, positively and negatively charged ions generated by a device placed in the water attach to toxic substances, including the breakdown products of alcohol, neutralizing and releasing them through the pores on the soles of the feet. As the detoxification process occurs, the water changes to a murky color. Drink plenty of water following a treatment to avoid further dehydration.
Or a Far Infrared Sauna…
Another popular (and scientifically-sound) form of detoxification is the Far Infrared sauna. While logic suggests it might be an effective way to "sweat out" the alcohol, it is not recommended for a hangover. Impaired judgment could cloud a dangerous reaction to high heat, like further dehydration, and increased heart rate.
Or Magnetic Therapy
Magnet therapy might be the safest way to detox after drinking. When applied to the body, magnetic therapy products, available as bracelets, shoe insoles, mattress pads and more, promote an increase in circulation. Nikken Consultant Stacey Grieve explains, "If you are feeling really overloaded after all the holiday fun, try placing a health-care magnet directly over your liver to help the liver filter out more toxins quickly and more effectively. Magnets placed over the temples will help to decrease a hangover headache, and magnets worn over the low back or soles of the feet will help to decrease any discomfort caused from dancing the night away."
Ditch the Coffee
While coffee sounds like the perfect morning-after solution to a long night of decadence, caffeine, like alcohol, has a dehydrating effect and can exacerbate the severity of hangover symptoms. Instead, take a combination of naturally-energizing and detoxifying nutrients, including a B complex vitamin, spirulina or chlorella, or a fresh-pressed vegetable juice that includes dark leafy greens.
Of course, the best precautionary measure is moderate drinking.
