On - Mon, May 10, 2004, 8:24am (EDT+4) tethethx@aol.com (Hex) wrote:


> It has been a week since the binge incident, and I
> don't feel myself. I know a doctor would be of no
> use, because there are no testing instruments
> sophisticated enough to detect a small amount of
> brain damage that isn't enough to amount to
> anything significant - well, it's significant to me
> because I feel "different" - I'm pretty sure I popped
> a few brain cells in my rush to survive the social
> occasion.

There are tests for metabolic acidosis. If blood ph is acidic, it will
affect cell functioning and the glucose cycle - the brain depends on
glucose. Also, the congeners in red wine produce an additional toxic
load on the liver, so your metabolism has a lot ot deal with right now.
I've posted research excerpts on 'nutritional detox' in a recent thread,
in case you are interested.



Excerpt: "Alcoholic Ketoacidosis"

"While most commonly described among chronic users of alcohol
approximately 48 h after cessation of use, AKA can also occur in less
experienced users, particularly after a binge of use.

"the oxidation of ethanol produces acetaldehyde, which is oxidized to
acetate. Both steps in this process convert nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide (NAD) to the reduced form of nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide (NADH), increasing the NADH/NAD ratio. This reduces hepatic
gluconeogenesis, further reducing glucose levels. Hence, insulin levels
remain suppressed, and serum glucagon levels remain elevated."

http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic21.htm


"Congeners (similar plants) substances produced in the fermentation
process. When congeners are metabolized they are much more toxic than
acetaldehyde, which is the normal byproduct. The fewer the congeners the
alcoholic drink contains, the less toxic the congener byproducts are.
Thus a hangover from Vodka is less than one from scotch, bourbon, beer,
or wine"

http://webpages.charter.net/rfhale/alcohol.htm