Diagnose-Me.com: formaldehyde from 11 % methanol part of aspartame: recent abstracts for methanol and hangovers: Murray 2004.07.10 rmforall

[Rich Murray]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1099
Diagnose-Me.com: formaldehyde from 11 % methanol part of aspartame:
recent abstracts for methanol and hangovers: Murray 2004.07.10 rmforall

Diagnose-Me.com , a profit oriented Internet business in Hawaii offers
detailed, forthright, and often referenced information, which can be
accessed for any condition by a search on Google. However, after a dozen
or so contacts, the site will require any specific email address to use
their service for a fee. It would be proper to give the names,
qualifications, and contact information for their experts.

I added a number of abstracts since 1995 that have some bearing on the
interrelated issues of hangover, ethanol, methanol, formaldehyde, formic
acid, aspartame, and magnesium symptoms and palliatives.

Since no adaquate data has ever been published on the exact disposition of
toxic metabolites in specific tissues in humans of the 11 % methanol
component of aspartame, the many studies on morning-after hangover from the
methanol impurity in alcohol drinks are the main available resource to date.

The study by Jones AW (1987) found next-morning hangover from red wine with
100 to 150 mg methanol (9.5% w/v ethanol, 100 mg/l methanol, 0.01%).
Fully 11% of aspartame is methanol-- 1,120 mg aspartame in 2 L diet soda,
almost six 12-oz cans, gives 123 mg methanol (wood alcohol).

The experts at Diagnose-Me.com comment:

"Formaldehyde Exposure from Aspartame
Aspartame breaks down into methanol, amino acids and several other
chemicals. The methanol is quickly absorbed and converted into formaldehyde.
The methanol found in foods and alcoholic beverages is also absorbed, but
there are "protective chemicals" in these traditionally-ingested foods and
beverages that prevent the conversion of methanol to formaldehyde.

[ The methanol in many fruits and vegetables is bound up in complex peptin
molecules, and not released by human digestion.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/870
Aspartame: Methanol and the Public Interest 1984: Monte:
Murray 2002.09.23 rmforall

Dr. Woodrow C. Monte Aspartame: methanol, and the public health.
Journal of Applied Nutrition 1984; 36 (1): 42-54.
(62 references) Professsor of Food Science [retired 1992]
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287 woodymonte@xtra.co.nz ]

Formaldehyde is known to cause gradual damage to the nervous system, the
immune system and has recently been shown to cause irreversible genetic
damage at long-term, low-level exposure.
The calculated level of formaldehyde exposure is approximately 61.3 mg for
every liter of aspartame ingested.
That is over twice the level necessary to cause irreversible genetic damage
in humans and several times the level shown to cause chronic neurological,
cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and other symptoms in long-term industrial
exposure research.
The damage caused by formaldehyde from aspartame may be worsened by other
aspartame breakdown chemicals, especially the aspartic acid."

http://www.diagnose-me.com/ service@Diagnose-Me.com

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http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C237252.html

Aspartame Intolerance

Commonly known as Nutrasweet or Equal, aspartame is an artificial sweetener
that replaces sugar (being 180 times sweeter) in many products. It is one of
the most controversial products on the market today. Those who have suffered
adverse reactions claim it is a chemical poison; the FDA claims it is a safe
product.
Independent research finds problems with aspartame.
An analysis of peer reviewed medical literature using MEDLINE and other
databases was conducted by Ralph G. Walton, MD (Chairman, The Center for
Behavioral Medicine, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Northeastern Ohio
Universities College of Medicine). Dr. Walton analyzed 164 studies which
were felt to have relevance to human safety questions. Of the 90
non-industry-sponsored (independent) studies, 83 (92%) identified one or
more problems with aspartame. Of the 74 aspartame industry-sponsored
studies, all 74 (100%) claimed that no problems were found with aspartame.

An extremely large number of toxicity reactions to aspartame has been
reported. As of 1995, when the FDA was quoted as saying they stopped
accepting adverse reaction reports on aspartame, over 75% of the adverse
reactions reported to the FDA Adverse Reaction Monitoring System (ARMS) were
due to aspartame. After considering the fact that an extremely low
percentage of adverse reactions are reported to the FDA, it becomes clear
that there are millions of known cases of aspartame toxicity reactions and
possibly many other cases where the person ingesting aspartame is either
unaware that their symptoms are caused or contributed to by aspartame; or
not yet experiencing clinically-obvious symptoms from the breakdown products
of aspartame, but may eventually experience chronic health problems from the
regular exposure to significant doses of formaldehyde.

Aspartame is made up of three chemicals. It is a mixture of 40% aspartic
acid, 50% phenylalanine, and 10% methanol. Although there are no publicized
studies to substantiate the risks of aspartame, there are many who suffer
from adverse reactions. Listed below are a small sample of the 92 reactions
that have been reported to the FDA:

Angioedema or swelling of the eyelids, lips, hands or feet; fluid retention
Anxiety attacks
Arthritic symptoms
Loss of blood sugar control
Breathing difficulties
Chest pains
Confusion
Depression
Dizziness
Fatigue
Headaches
Heart palpitations
Hives
Irritability
Itching without a rash
Memory loss
Muscle spasms, tremors, convulsions
Nausea
Numbness
Personality changes
Rashes and skin diseases
Respiratory allergies
Seizures
Excessive thirst or urination
Vision loss
Weight gain

Clearly, regular exposure to a toxic substance such as formaldehyde may
worsen, or in some cases contribute to, the development of chronic diseases.

Formaldehyde Exposure from Aspartame
Aspartame breaks down into methanol, amino acids and several other
chemicals. The methanol is quickly absorbed and converted into formaldehyde.
The methanol found in foods and alcoholic beverages is also absorbed, but
there are "protective chemicals" in these traditionally-ingested foods and
beverages that prevent the conversion of methanol to formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is known to cause gradual damage to the nervous system, the
immune system and has recently been shown to cause irreversible genetic
damage at long-term, low-level exposure. The calculated level of
formaldehyde exposure is approximately 61.3 mg for every liter of aspartame
ingested. That is over twice the level necessary to cause irreversible
genetic damage in humans and several times the level shown to cause chronic
neurological, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and other symptoms in
long-term industrial exposure research. The damage caused by formaldehyde
from aspartame may be worsened by other aspartame breakdown chemicals,
especially the aspartic acid.

Signs, symptoms & indicators of Aspartame Intolerance:
Symptoms - Food - General Counter-indicators:
No adverse reaction to aspartame

Symptoms - Mind - General
Short-term memory failure

Conditions that suggest Aspartame Intolerance:
Metabolic Migraine/Tension Headaches Double-blind studies have demonstrated
that aspartame causes headaches. [ Headache 1988:28(1) pp.10-14, Biological
Psychiatry 1993:34(1) pp.13-17, Neurology 1994:44 pp.1787-93. ]

Recommendations and treatments for Aspartame Intolerance:
Diet Aspartame (Nutrasweet) Avoidance

Mineral
Multiple Mineral Supplementation [
http://www.diagnose-me.com/treat/T35449.html ]
************************************************** *************

"Because of the many different reports of adverse reactions, we do not
recommend its use, especially if you have any of the symptoms or conditions
it has been linked to."

http://www.diagnose-me.com/treat/T88789.html

Aspartame (Nutrasweet) Avoidance

Recommended for. | Conditions prevented by it
Health problems rarely occur in isolation or for obvious reasons

Instead of guessing at what might be wrong and hoping that a suggestion will
work, wouldn't you prefer to know what is really going on inside your body,
based on the many signs it is giving?

The story of Aspartame (Nutrasweet, Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure) is
interesting in how it was discovered, how it was approved for use, and how
it remains on the market. Because of the many different reports of adverse
reactions, we do not recommend its use, especially if you have any of the
symptoms or conditions it has been linked to.

Please note that it is extremely important to obtain an accurate diagnosis
before trying to find a cure. Many diseases and conditions share common
symptoms: if you treat yourself for the wrong illness or a specific symptom
of a complex disease, you may delay legitimate treatment of a serious
underlying problem. In other words, the greatest danger in self-treatment
may be self-diagnosis. If you do not know what you really have, you can not
treat it!

Knowing how difficult it is to weed out misinformation and piece together
countless facts in order to see the "big picture", we now provide simple
online access to The AnalystT. Used by doctors and patients alike, The
AnalystT is a computerized diagnostic tool that sits on a vast accumulation
of knowledge and research. By combining thousands of connections between
signs, symptoms, risk factors, conditions and treatments, The AnalystT will
help to build an accurate picture of your current health status, the risks
you are running and courses of action (including appropriate lab testing)
that should be considered. Full information is available here.

It often takes at least sixty days without any aspartame to see a
significant improvement in any conditions it may be contributing to.
Improvement in health is also often accompanied by weight loss. Check all
labels very carefully (including vitamins and pharmaceuticals). Look for the
word "aspartame" on the label and avoid it. (Also, it is a good idea to
avoid "acesulfame-k" or "sunette.") Finally, avoid getting nutrition
information from junk food industry PR organizations such as IFIC or
organizations that accept large sums of money from the junk and chemical
food industry such as the American Dietetic Association.

Adverse effects reported from short-term and/or long-term use
Seizures and convulsions, dizziness, tremors, migraines and severe headaches
(triggered or caused by chronic intake), memory loss (common toxicity
effect), slurring of speech, confusion, numbness or tingling of extremities,
chronic fatigue, depression, insomnia, irritability, panic attacks (common
aspartame toxicity reaction), marked personality changes, phobias, rapid
heart beat (tachycardia - another frequent reaction), asthma, chest pains,
hypertension (high blood pressure), nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal
pain, swallowing pain, itching, hives / urticaria, other allergic reactions,
blood sugar control problems (e.g. hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia), menstrual
cramps and other menstrual problems or changes, impotency and sexual
problems, food cravings, weight gain, hair loss / baldness or thinning of
hair, burning urination & other urination problems, excessive thirst or
excessive hunger, bloating, edema (fluid retention), infection
susceptibility, joint pain, brain cancer (in pre-approval studies on
animals), death.

Aspartame Disease may mimic symptoms of, or worsen...
Fibromyalgia, arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease,
lupus, multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), diabetes and diabetic
Complications, seizures, Alzheimer's disease, birth defects, chronic fatigue
syndrome, lymphoma, Lyme's disease, attention deficit disorder (ADD and
ADHD), panic disorder, depression and other psychological disorders.

Products containing Aspartame
Instant breakfasts, breath mints, cereals, sugar-free chewing gum, cocoa
mixes, coffee beverages, desserts, candies, juice beverages, laxatives,
multivitamins, milk drinks, pharmaceuticals and supplements, shake mixes,
soft drinks, tabletop sweeteners, tea beverages, instant teas and coffees,
topping mixes, wine coolers, and yogurt amongst other things. Always read
the label.

Aspartame (Nutrasweet) Avoidance can help with the following:
Aging Alzheimer's Disease Aspartame use has been reported to trigger
symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C90567.html

Autoimmune
Multiple Sclerosis
http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C63897.html

Circulation
Mitral Valve Prolapse
http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C165243.html

Immunity
Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome According to researchers and
physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, chronic fatigue
syndrome and fibromyalgia among other conditions can be triggered or
worsened by ingesting aspartame.
http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C4334.html

Infections
Lyme Disease
http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C351933.html

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) Aspartame use has been reported to trigger or
mimic symptoms of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection.
http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C355489.html

Post-Polio Syndrome Aspartame use has been reported to trigger or mimic
symptoms of Post-Polio Syndrome.
http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C356378.html

Mental
Depression A double blind study on the effects of aspartame on persons
with mood disorders was conducted by Dr. Ralph G. Walton. Since the study
wasn't funded/controlled by the makers of aspartame, The Nutrasweet Company
refused to sell him the aspartame. Walton was forced to obtain and certify
it from an outside source.

The study showed a large increase in serious symptoms for persons taking
aspartame. Since some of the symptoms were so serious, the Institutional
Review Board had to stop the study. Three of the participants had said that
they had been "poisoned" by aspartame. Walton concludes that "individuals
with mood disorders are particularly sensitive to this artificial sweetener;
its use in this population should be discouraged."

Aware that the experiment could not be repeated because of the danger to the
test subjects, Walton was recently quoted as saying, "I know it causes
seizures. I'm convinced also that it definitely causes behavioral changes.
I'm very angry that this substance is on the market. I personally question
the reliability and validity of any studies funded by the Nutrasweet
Company."

There are numerous reported cases of low brain serotonin levels, depression
and other emotional disorders that have been linked to aspartame and often
are relieved by stopping the intake of aspartame. Researchers have pointed
out that increasing in phenylalanine levels in the brain, which can and does
occur in persons without PKU, leads to a decreased level of the
neurotransmitter serotonin, which leads to a variety of emotional disorders.
Dr William M. Pardridge of UCLA testified before the US Senate that a youth
drinking four 16-ounce bottles of diet soda per day would lead to an
enormous increase in phenylalanine levels.

Panic Attacks
http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C345710.html

Anxiety

Metabolic
Aspartame Intolerance
Migraine/Tension Headaches
http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C144796.html

Meniere's Disease Aspartame use has been reported to trigger or mimic
symptoms of Meniere's Disease.
Meniere's disease can cause sensorineural hearing loss. ...
http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C357267.html

Musculo-Skeletal
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Aspartame use has been reported to trigger Carpal
Tunnel syndrome.
http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C127016.html

Nervous System
Seizure Disorder In 1984, there were 3 reports about large amounts of
Aspartame causing a lowering of the seizure threshold and therefore
increasing seizure activity. The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta did a
review of this and were unable to find any cause or effect relationship at
normal doses. More recently, Aspartame has been found to be unsuitable for
some children with generalized absence Epilepsy. A Queen's University study
looked at the brain-wave patterns in 10 children and the effects of the
artificial sweetener "NutraSweet". A 40% increase in abnormal brain-wave
activity associated with absence seizures was found in this study. However,
there was no effect on the actual number of seizures. Research on this topic
is continuing.
http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C140351.html

Organ Health
Diabetes Type II The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is actually
recommending this chemical poison to persons with diabetes. According to
research conducted by H.J. Roberts, a diabetes specialist, a member of the
ADA, and an authority on artificial sweeteners, aspartame:

1) Leads to the precipitation of clinical diabetes.
2) Causes poorer diabetic control in diabetics on insulin or oral drugs.
3) Leads to the aggravation of diabetic complications such as retinopathy,
cataracts, neuropathy and gastroparesis.
4) Causes convulsions.

In a statement concerning the use of products containing aspartame by
persons with diabetes and hypoglycemia, Roberts says: "Unfortunately, many
patients in my practice, and others seen in consultation, developed serious
metabolic, neurologic and other complications that could be specifically
attributed to using aspartame products. This was evidenced by:

"The loss of diabetic control, the intensification of hypoglycemia, the
occurrence of presumed 'insulin reactions' (including convulsions) that
proved to be aspartame reactions, and the precipitation, aggravation or
simulation of diabetic complications (especially impaired vision and
neuropathy) while using these products.

".dramatic improvement of such features after avoiding aspartame, and the
prompt predictable recurrence of these problems when the patient resumed
aspartame products, knowingly or inadvertently."

Roberts goes on to say:
"I regret the failure of other physicians and the American Diabetes
Association (ADA) to sound appropriate warnings to patients and consumers
based on these repeated findings which have been described in my
corporate-neutral studies and publications."
www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C7001.htm

Tumors, Malignant
Brain Cancer According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse
effects of aspartame, brain tumors can be triggered or worsened by ingesting
aspartame.

In 1981 Satya Dubey, an FDA statistician, stated that the brain tumor data
on aspartame was so "worrisome" that he could not recommend approval of
NutraSweet. In a two-year study conducted by the manufacturer of aspartame,
twelve of the 320 rats fed a normal diet and aspartame developed brain
tumors while none of the control rats had tumors. Five of the twelve tumors
were in rats given a low dose of aspartame. The approval of aspartame was a
violation of the Delaney Amendment which was supposed to prevent
cancer-causing substances such as methanol (formaldehyde) and DKP from
entering our food supply.

The late Dr Adrian Gross, an FDA toxicologist, testified before the US
Congress that aspartame was capable of producing brain tumors. This made it
illegal for the FDA to set an allowable daily intake at any level. He stated
in his testimony that Searle's studies were "to a large extent unreliable"
and that "at least one of those studies has established beyond any
reasonable doubt that aspartame is capable of inducing brain tumors in
experimental animals..." He concluded his testimony by asking, "What is the
reason for the apparent refusal by the FDA to invoke for this food additive
the so-called Delaney Amendment to the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act? ... And
if the FDA itself elects to violate the law, who is left to protect the
health of the public?"

In the mid-1970s it was discovered that the manufacturer of aspartame
falsified studies in several ways. One of the techniques used was to cut
tumors out of test animals and put them back in the study. Another technique
used to falsify the studies was to list animals that had actually died as
surviving the study. Thus, the data on brain tumors was likely worse than
discussed above. In addition, a former employee of the manufacturer of
aspartame, Raymond Schroeder, told the FDA on July 13, 1977 that the
particles of DKP were so large that the rats could discriminate between the
DKP and their normal diet.

It is interesting to note that the incidence of brain tumors in persons over
65 years of age has increased 67% between the years 1973 and 1990. Brain
tumors in all age groups has jumped 10%. The greatest increase has come
during the years 1985-1987.

In his book, Aspartame (NutraSweet). Is it Safe?, Roberts gives evidence
that aspartame can cause a particularly dangerous form of cancer - primary
lymphoma of the brain.
http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C368824.html

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C417719.html

Uro-Genital
Pregnancy-Related Issues Dr Diana Dow Edwards, a researcher, was funded by
Monsanto to study possible birth defects caused by the ingestion of
aspartame. After preliminary data showed damaging information about
aspartame, funding for the study was cut off. A separate genetic
pediatrician at Emory University has testified that aspartame is causing
birth defects.

In the book, While Waiting: A Prenatal Guidebook by George R. Verrilli, M.D.
and Anne Marie Mueser, it is stated that aspartame is suspected of causing
brain damage in sensitive individuals: a fetus may be at risk for these
effects. Some researchers have suggested that high doses of aspartame may be
associated with problems ranging from dizziness and subtle brain changes to
mental retardation.
http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C358156.html

Aspartame (Nutrasweet) Avoidance can help prevent the following:
Aging Parkinson's Disease Parkinson's disease can be triggered or worsened
by ingesting aspartame according to researchers studying its possible
adverse effects.
http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C316373.html
************************************************** ************

"The type of alcohol you drink does make a difference. The darker, sweeter
drinks have more congeners (complex organic molecules of which methanol is
one). Therefore brandy, sherry, red wine and whiskey will give you more of a
hangover than will white wine or vodka. Cheap, poorly-refined spirits are
more likely to give you a hangover.

Drinking more alcohol ("hair of the dog") actually does work to an extent.
This is because ethanol in alcoholic drinks blocks the breakdown of methanol
to formaldehyde and formic acid. It is, however, a very bad way of dealing
with hangovers because of the strain it puts on the liver and stomach. It
also puts off the hangover to a later time which, when it does arrive, can
feel even worse.

A hangover is a kind of drug withdrawal, the result of sinking blood-alcohol
levels which affect the brain after high levels have been reached. This is
also why drinking alcohol the morning after a night of drinking temporarily
delays the hangover and, in the end, only makes matters worse.

Symptoms of hangover vary, but usually include headaches and mental
fogginess, along with thirst, weakness and trembling, Irritability, along
with a feeling of misery. The stomach feels queasy and nauseous because
alcohol irritates the stomach lining."

"It is probably the metabolism of methanol to formaldehyde and formic acid
that caused the symptoms of the hangover. Quick methanol metabolizers suffer
more. This is reinforced by the fact that the types of drinks associated
with more severe hangovers contain higher levels of methanol. [Hangovers:
Not The Ethanol, Perhaps The Methanol, British Medical Journal, January 4,
1997;14: pp.2-3]

All types of alcoholic drinks contain some methanol, a substance blamed for
the worst hangovers. Whiskey, cheap red wine, fruit brandy and other dark
spirits contain the most methanol, sometimes as much as 2% by volume. Vodka
and other clear drinks contain the least. In the liver, methanol takes 10
times longer than ethanol to break down."

http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C245253.html

Susceptibility to Hangovers

Instead of guessing at what might be wrong and hoping that a suggestion will
work, wouldn't you prefer to know what is really going on inside your body,
based on the many signs it is giving?

Alcohol is a diuretic (causing loss of fluid), which results in a loss of
essential salts such as potassium and magnesium. Blood-sugar levels are also
disrupted and toxins from the intake of alcohol can remain in the body for
several hours after drinking has ended. This general loss of essential salts
and dehydration leads to a hangover.

The type of alcohol you drink does make a difference. The darker, sweeter
drinks have more congeners (complex organic molecules of which methanol is
one). Therefore brandy, sherry, red wine and whiskey will give you more of a
hangover than will white wine or vodka. Cheap, poorly-refined spirits are
more likely to give you a hangover.

Drinking more alcohol ("hair of the dog") actually does work to an extent.
This is because ethanol in alcoholic drinks blocks the breakdown of methanol
to formaldehyde and formic acid. It is, however, a very bad way of dealing
with hangovers because of the strain it puts on the liver and stomach. It
also puts off the hangover to a later time which, when it does arrive, can
feel even worse.

A hangover is a kind of drug withdrawal, the result of sinking blood-alcohol
levels which affect the brain after high levels have been reached. This is
also why drinking alcohol the morning after a night of drinking temporarily
delays the hangover and, in the end, only makes matters worse.

Symptoms of hangover vary, but usually include headaches and mental
fogginess, along with thirst, weakness and trembling, Irritability, along
with a feeling of misery. The stomach feels queasy and nauseous because
alcohol irritates the stomach lining.

Risk factors for Susceptibility to Hangovers:
Diet Dehydration The most obvious source of headaches due to hangovers is
dehydration caused when alcohol suppresses anti-diuretic hormone. This
hormone normally orders the body to conserve water, but alcohol dulls the
command, causing people to lose far more water to urination than they take
in with the alcohol.

The body reacts to the open floodgates by borrowing water from other organs,
such as the brain. As a result, the brain shrinks. While that may not cause
pain by itself, the brain has a covering called the dura that is connected
to the skull by pain-sensitive filaments. Deformation of the dura can cause
the headaches that come with a hangover.

Habits
Lack of Sleep Lack of sleep increases susceptibility to hangovers.

Nutrients
Magnesium Requirement It is possible that some of the hangover symptoms
related to alcohol are in part due to magnesium depletion.

Vitamin B1 Requirement A deficiency in thiamine (vitamin B1) makes it
harder for your body to break down alcohol. Interestingly, beer contains a
good amount of thiamine, but as vitamin B1 oxidizes the alcohol out of the
blood in the liver, thiamine is used up and must be replaced.

Organ Health
Liver Detoxification / Support Requirement Acetaldehyde is a toxic
substance produced in the body from alcohol and is one of the impurities
found in cheap wine and 'moonshine' spirits. Some researchers believe that
an acetaldehyde buildup is the cause of hangovers. If the liver's
detoxification pathways are impaired, aldehydes can, instead of being
converted to the next intermediate product, build up to harmful levels and
cause damage since they are often more toxic than the original substances
from which they are derived.

It is probably the metabolism of methanol to formaldehyde and formic acid
that caused the symptoms of the hangover. Quick methanol metabolizers suffer
more. This is reinforced by the fact that the types of drinks associated
with more severe hangovers contain higher levels of methanol.
[ Hangovers: Not The Ethanol, Perhaps The Methanol, British Medical Journal,
January 4, 1997;14: pp.2-3 ]

All types of alcoholic drinks contain some methanol, a substance blamed for
the worst hangovers. Whiskey, cheap red wine, fruit brandy and other dark
spirits contain the most methanol, sometimes as much as 2% by volume. Vodka
and other clear drinks contain the least. In the liver, methanol takes 10
times longer than ethanol to break down.

Recommendations and treatments for Susceptibility to Hangovers:
Botanical Ginger Root (Zingiber officinalis) Both ginger and the
homeopathic remedy Nux vomica can help to quell nausea the morning after.
Either make ginger tea by infusing freshly grated root ginger in hot water
or swallow a 1,000mg supplement.

Evening Primrose Oil If the smallest amounts of alcohol are troublesome
the next morning, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in evening primrose oil will
often help.

Banana If you can stomach it, bananas help to replenish many essential
salts.

Diet
Increased Water Consumption Drink lots of water - at least twice the
amount of water to alcohol.

Not recommended:
Sugars Avoidance / Reduction Take some form of sugar; alcohol lowers your
blood sugar levels.

Drug
Not recommended:
Aspirin By all means take some pain relief tablets, but avoid aspirin as
the alcohol has probably already made your stomach lining sensitive.

Habits
Increased Sleep A few hours of sleep can work miracles. Don't drive until
you have fully recovered. Just because you've slept after a drinking session
doesn't mean you're sober. Nothing can speed alcohol out of the body so
don't kid yourself that a strong coffee will do it (it's more likely just to
help replenish a little fluid).

Tobacco Avoidance Smoking intensifies the problems of a hangover because
of the additional toxins and further dehydration.

Homeopathy
Homeopathic Remedies Both ginger and the homeopathic remedy Nux vomica can
help to quell nausea the morning after. Take one 6C or 12C tablet every
three or four hours.

Mineral
Magnesium Taking this mineral with some thiamine (B1) and drinking extra
water can help prevent hangover symptoms.

Nutrient
DMAE DMAE decreases the incidence and severity of hangovers in people who
consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Subjects in one study reported freedom
from the depression or headaches associated with hangovers.

Physical Medicine
Cold Applications If time allows, catching a short nap in a darkened,
quiet room with an ice bag or cold compress on your forehead can work
wonders. The cold compress helps constrict the vessels in your head and
reduce the headache.

Vitamins
Vitamin B-Complex The B-vitamins help to calm and strengthen the nervous
system, reduce the toxic effects of alcohol and stop cravings for more.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Preventive measures against Susceptibility to Hangovers:
Botanical Chlorella A Japanese study showed that taking 4-6gm of chlorella
before consuming alcohol can prevent hangovers 96% of the time, even after a
night of heavy drinking.

Silymarin/Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Milk thistle is renowned for its
ability to support and stimulate the liver, the organ primarily responsible
for ridding the body of alcohol. Some recommend taking 500mg of milk thistle
before embarking on a long night of drinking, and if the session is
particularly heavy, taking 350mg three times daily for a couple of days
thereafter.

Diet
Alcohol Avoidance The only sure-fire method of prevention is the obvious -
abstinence!

Increased Calorie Consumption Alcohol tends to go very quickly through the
intestines if drunk on an empty stomach, inducing the drop in blood sugar
that makes one feel light-headed and drunk, and then keeping it low
throughout the night and into the following day, resulting in a major
hangover. Do not drink any alcohol until your stomach contains food.

Caffeine/Coffee Avoidance Caffeinated coffee and cola drinks are an area
of controversy. These may upset your stomach but on the other hand the
caffeine will assist with vessel constriction. If you're used to a morning
coffee, it may help. Coffee or tea can make your hangover twice as bad by
dehydrating your body. Herbal infusions such as dandelion tea, or a fruit
smoothie, or even simply hot water, will be much kinder to your body.
************************************************** ************

This study by Jones AW (1987) found next-morning hangover from red wine with
100 to 150 mg methanol (9.5% w/v ethanol, 100 mg/l methanol, 0.01%).
Fully 11% of aspartame is methanol-- 1,120 mg aspartame in 2 L diet soda,
almost six 12-oz cans, gives 123 mg methanol (wood alcohol).

Pharmacol Toxicol. 1987 Mar; 60(3): 217-20.
Elimination half-life of methanol during hangover.
Jones AW.
Department of Forensic Toxicology, University Hospital, SE-581 85 Linkoping,
Sweden. wayne.jones@RMV.se

This paper reports the elimination half-life of methanol in human
volunteers. Experiments were made during the morning after the subjects had
consumed 1000-1500 ml red wine (9.5% w/v ethanol, 100 mg/l methanol) the
previous evening. [ 100 to 150 mg methanol ]
The washout of methanol from the body coincided with the onset of hangover.
The concentrations of ethanol and methanol in blood were determined
indirectly by analysis of end-expired alveolar air.
In the morning when blood-ethanol dropped below the Km of liver alcohol
dehydrogenase (ADH) of about 100 mg/l (2.2 mM), the disappearance half-life
of ethanol was 21, 22, 18 and 15 min. in 4 test subjects respectively.
The corresponding elimination half-lives of methanol were 213, 110, 133 and
142 min. in these same individuals.
The experimental design outlined in this paper can be used to obtain useful
data on elimination kinetics of methanol in human volunteers without undue
ethical limitations.
Circumstantial evidence is presented to link methanol or its toxic metabolic
products, formaldehyde and formic acid, with the pathogenesis of hangover.
PMID: 3588516
************************************************** *************

Alcohol Alcohol. 1998 Jul-Aug; 33(4): 431-8.
Urinary excretion of methanol and 5-hydroxytryptophol as biochemical markers
of recent drinking in the hangover state. Anders.Helander@cns.ki.se
Bendtsen P, Jones AW, Helander A. prebe@ihs.liu.se
Drug Dependence Unit, University Hospital, Linkoping, Sweden.

Twenty healthy social drinkers (9 women and 11 men) drank either 50 g of
ethanol (mean intake 0.75 g/kg) or 80 g (mean 1.07 g/kg) according to choice
as white wine or export beer in the evening over 2 h with a meal.
After the end of drinking, at bedtime, in the following morning after
waking-up, and on two further occasions during the morning and early
afternoon, breath-alcohol tests were performed and samples of urine were
collected for analysis of ethanol and methanol and the 5-hydroxytryptophol
(5-HTOL) to 5-hydroxyindol-3-ylacetic acid (5-HIAA) ratio.
The participants were also asked to quantify the intensity of hangover
symptoms (headache, nausea, anxiety, drowsiness, fatigue, muscle aches,
vertigo) on a scale from 0 (no symptoms) to 5 (severe symptoms).
The first morning urine void collected 6-11 h after bedtime as a rule
contained measurable amounts of ethanol, being 0.09 +/- 0.03 g/l (mean +/-
SD) after 50 g and 0.38 +/- 0.1 g/l after 80 g ethanol.
The corresponding breath-alcohol concentrations were zero, except for three
individuals who registered 0.01-0.09g/l.
Ethanol was not measurable in urine samples collected later in the morning
and early afternoon.
The peak urinary methanol occurred in the first morning void, when the mean
concentration after 80 g ethanol was approximately 6-fold higher than
pre-drinking values.
This compares with a approximately 50-fold increase for the 5-HTOL/5-HIAA
ratio in the first morning void.
Both methanol and the 5-HTOL/5-HIAA ratio remained elevated above
pre-drinking baseline values in the second and sometimes even the third
morning voids. Most subjects experienced only mild hangover symptoms after
drinking 50 g ethanol (mean score 2.4 +/- 2.6), but the scores were
significantly higher after drinking 80 g (7.8 +/- 7.1).
The most common symptoms were headache, drowsiness, and fatigue.
A highly significant correlation (r = 0.62-0.75, P <0.01) was found between
the presence of headache, nausea, and vertigo and the urinary methanol
concentration in the first and second morning voids, whereas 5-HTOL/5-HIAA
correlated with headache and nausea.
These results show that analysing urinary methanol and 5-HTOL furnishes a
way to disclose recent drinking after alcohol has no longer been measurable
by conventional breath-alcohol tests for at least 5-10h.
The results also support the notion that methanol may be an important factor
in the aetiology of hangover. PMID: 9719404
************************************************** ************

"The specific findings of impaired delayed recall show that memory retrieval
processes are significantly impaired during alcohol hangover.
Vigilance performance was not significantly affected, indicating that this
memory impairment does not reflect sedation."

Neuropsychopharmacology. 2003 Apr; 28(4): 740-6. Epub 2002 Oct 08.
Alcohol hangover effects on memory functioning and vigilance performance
after an evening of binge drinking. J.C.Verster@pharm.uu.nl
Verster JC, van Duin D, Volkerts ER, Schreuder AH, Verbaten MN.
Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of
Psychopharmacology, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.

The impairing effects on memory functioning after acute alcohol intoxication
in healthy volunteers and after chronic use in alcoholics are well
established. However, research determining the next-morning effects of a
single episode of binge drinking on memory functioning is scarce.
A total of 48 healthy volunteers participated in a single-blind study
comprising an evening (baseline) session, followed by a treatment
administration (ethanol 1.4 g/kg or placebo), and a morning session.
Memory was tested with a word-learning test (including immediate and delayed
recall, and recognition). Further, a 45-min Mackworth clock test for
measuring vigilance was included (parameters: number of hits and false
alarms) and subjective alertness was assessed, to infer whether
word-learning test findings reflect sedation or specific memory impairments.
Delayed recall in the morning session was significantly worse in the alcohol
group when compared to the placebo group (F(1,42)=6.0, p<0.02).
In contrast, immediate recall and recognition were unimpaired in the alcohol
group. In the morning session, relative to the placebo group, subjective
alertness was significantly reduced in the alcohol group before and after
the tests (F(1,44)=8.7, p<0.005; F(1,44)=13.3, p&<0.001, respectively).
However, in the Mackworth clock test, the alcohol group and placebo group
did not differ significantly in the morning session.
The specific findings of impaired delayed recall show that memory retrieval
processes are significantly impaired during alcohol hangover.
Vigilance performance was not significantly affected, indicating that this
memory impairment does not reflect sedation. PMID: 12655320
************************************************** *************

"Cognitive functions, such as visual, memory, and intellectual process
functions, were decreased during the hangover state.
Among summary scales, the profile elevation scale was also increased. Among
localization scales, the scores of left frontal, sensorimotor,
parietal-occipital dysfunction, and right parietal-occipital scales were
increased during the hangover state.
These results indicate that alcohol hangovers have a negative effect on
cognitive functions, particularly on the higher cortical and visual
functions associated with the left hemisphere and right posterior
hemisphere."

Int J Neurosci. 2003 Apr; 113(4): 581-94.
The effects of alcohol hangover on cognitive functions in healthy subjects.
Kim DJ, Yoon SJ, Lee HP, Choi BM, Go HJ.
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea,
Buchon City, Kyunggi Do, Korea.

A hangover is characterized by the constellation of unpleasant physical and
mental symptoms that occur between 8 and 16 h after drinking alcohol.
We evaluated the effects of experimentally-induced alcohol hangover on
cognitive functions using the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery.
A total of 13 normal adult males participated in this study.
They did not have any previous histories of psychiatric or medical
disorders.
We defined the experimentally-induced hangover condition at 13 h after
drinking a high dose of alcohol (1.5 g/kg of body weight).
We evaluated the changes of cognitive functions before drinking alcohol and
during experimentally-induced hangover state.
The Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery was administrated in order to
examine the changes of cognitive functions.
Cognitive functions, such as visual, memory, and intellectual process
functions, were decreased during the hangover state.
Among summary scales, the profile elevation scale was also increased. Among
localization scales, the scores of left frontal, sensorimotor,
parietal-occipital dysfunction, and right parietal-occipital scales were
increased during the hangover state.
These results indicate that alcohol hangovers have a negative effect on
cognitive functions, particularly on the higher cortical and visual
functions associated with the left hemisphere and right posterior
hemisphere.
Publication Types: Clinical Trial PMID: 12856484
************************************************** *************

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2002 Dec; 6(6): 486-91.
Risk factors for chronic daily headache. wfstewart@geisinger.edu
Scher AI, Lipton RB, Stewart W. schera@mail.nih.gov Rlipton@aecom.yu.edu
Laboratory of Epidemiology, Demography, and Biometry, National Institute on
Aging, 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, MSC 9205, Bethesda, MD 20892-9205, USA.

There are many people who experience headaches that are independent of
illness, injury, or hangover. Approximately 4% of the population suffer from
headaches on a daily or near-daily basis. It is apparent that patients with
chronic daily headache in community samples differ in important ways from
patients with chronic daily headache in subspecialty clinics. In this
manuscript, we review clinic-based data on risk factors for chronic daily
headache and summarize the current data on the epidemiology of chronic daily
headache.
Publication Types: Review Review, Academic PMID: 12413408

JAMA. 2003 Nov 12; 290(18): 2443-54.
Comment in: JAMA. 2004 Feb 11; 291(6): 694; author reply 694.
Lost productive time and cost due to common pain conditions in the US
workforce. wfstewart@geisinger.edu
Stewart WF, Ricci JA, Chee E, Morganstein D, Lipton R.
AdvancePCS Center for Work and Health, Hunt Valley, Md, USA.

CONTEXT: Common pain conditions appear to have an adverse effect on work,
but no comprehensive estimates exist on the amount of productive time lost
in the US workforce due to pain.
OBJECTIVE: To measure lost productive time (absence and reduced performance
due to common pain conditions) during a 2-week period.
DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study using survey data from the
American Productivity Audit (a telephone survey that uses the Work and
Health Interview) of working adults between August 1, 2001, and July 30,
2002. PARTICIPANTS: Random sample of 28 902 working adults in the United
States. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lost productive time due to common pain
conditions (arthritis, back, headache, and other musculoskeletal) expressed
in hours per worker per week and calculated in US dollars.
RESULTS: Thirteen percent of the total workforce experienced a loss in
productive time during a 2-week period due to a common pain condition.
Headache was the most common (5.4%) pain condition resulting in lost
productive time.
It was followed by back pain (3.2%), arthritis pain (2.0%), and other
musculoskeletal pain (2.0%).
Workers who experienced lost productive time from a pain condition lost a
mean (SE) of 4.6 (0.09) h/wk.
Workers who had a headache had a mean (SE) loss in productive time of 3.5
(0.1) h/wk.
Workers who reported arthritis or back pain had mean (SE) lost productive
times of 5.2 (0.25) h/wk.
Other common pain conditions resulted in a mean (SE) loss in productive time
of 5.5 (0.22) h/wk.
Lost productive time from common pain conditions among active workers costs
an estimated 61.2 billion dollars per year.
The majority (76.6%) of the lost productive time was explained by reduced
performance while at work and not work absence.
CONCLUSIONS: Pain is an inordinately common and disabling condition in the
US workforce.
Most of the pain-related lost productive time occurs while employees are at
work and is in the form of reduced performance. PMID: 14612481
************************************************** *************

"On each measure, performance was significantly impaired 60-90 min following
alcohol ingestion, but there was no hangover effect 600-630 min later,
following a night's sleep."

Surg Endosc. 2002 Dec; 16(12): 1753-8. Epub 2002 Jul 29.
Effects of a moderate dose of alcohol on simulated laparoscopic surgical
performance.
Dorafshar AH, O'Boyle DJ, McCloy RF.
The North of England Wolfson Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery,
Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK.

BACKGROUND: In medicine, there is no professional regulation of the drinking
of alcohol, nor a body of experimental evidence on which such regulation
might be based.
Here we report the acute and longer-term ("hangover") effects of a moderate
dose of alcohol on performance, as assessed objectively on a laparoscopic
surgical simulator.
METHODS: In a single-blind, experimental study, medical student subjects
were assigned randomly to an alcohol (1.05 mg/kg) or a placebo condition (n
= 14 in each).
The effects of alcohol on performance on the MIST Virtual Reality surgical
simulator were examined 60-90 min and 600-630 min (after a night's sleep)
following its ingestion.
Measures of the number of errors, time taken, hand movement economy, and
excessive use of diathermy were recorded.
RESULTS: On each measure, performance was significantly impaired 60-90 min
following alcohol ingestion, but there was no hangover effect 600-630 min
later, following a night's sleep.
This impairment could not be attributed to between-group differences in
either predrink performance, expertise or estimated sleep duration during
the night preceding the experimental session.
CONCLUSIONS: Simulated surgical performance is impaired severely when
estimated blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is just above the UK legal limit
for driving.
These results contribute new, objective and quantitative evidence to the
current debate about the use and misuse of alcohol within the medical
profession.
Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial PMID:
12140623
************************************************** *************

Addiction. 2002 Apr; 97(4): 381-8.
Comment in:
Addiction. 2002 Apr;97(4):470-1.
Addiction. 2002 Apr;97(4):472-3.
Addiction. 2002 Apr;97(4):381-8.
Addiction. 2002 Apr;97(4):389-400.
Addiction. 2002 Apr;97(4):401-13.
Addiction. 2002 Apr;97(4):415-25.
Addiction. 2002 Apr;97(4):427-45.
Addiction. 2002 Apr;97(4):447-58.
Addiction. 2002 Apr;97(4):459-69.
Fermenting fruit and the historical ecology of ethanol ingestion: is
alcoholism in modern humans an evolutionary hangover?
Dudley R. r_dudley@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu
Section of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, 78712, USA.

In the field of addiction research, the possibility of ancestral exposure to
psychoactive compounds has generally been excluded.
A paleobiological approach to the human diet, however, illustrates the
potential utility of historical data in interpreting modern-day addictive
behaviors.
Low-level dietary exposure to ethanol via ingestion of fermenting fruit has
probably characterized the predominantly frugivorous anthropoid lineage for
about 40 million years.
Potentially adaptive primate behaviors associated with the natural
occurrence of ethanol include the olfactory use of ethanol plumes to
localize fruit crops, the use of ethanol as an appetitive stimulant to
facilitate rapid consumption of transient nutritional resources, and the
physiological exploitation of the caloric benefits of ethanol.
Such behavioral and energetic advantages probably pertain to all animal taxa
that consume fermenting fruit, and may have been retained in modern humans
in spite of considerable dietary diversification over the last several
million years.
In contemporary human environments, excessive consumption of ethanol would
then represent maladaptive cooption of ancestrally advantageous behaviors
given essentially ad libitum access to a compound otherwise found only
within scarce nutritional substrates.
Epidemiologically demonstrated health benefits of low-level alcohol
consumption are consistent with an ancient and potentially adaptive exposure
of primate frugivores to this most common of the psychoactive substances.
Publication Types: Historical Article PMID: 11964055
************************************************** *************

"Alcohol consumption also appears to have a causative effect in sports
related injury, with an injury incidence of 54.8% in drinkers compared with
23.5% in nondrinkers (p < 0.005).
This may be due in part to the hangover effect of alcohol consumption, which
has been shown to reduce athletic performance by 11.4%."

Sports Med. 2000 May; 29(5): 295-300.
Alcohol and the athlete.
O'Brien CP, Lyons F.
Blackrock Clinic, Dublin, Ireland. drcob@iol.ie

Alcohol and the athlete have been linked together since ancient times. It
continues to be the most commonly consumed drug among the athletic
population.
Alcohol use carries significant potential adverse effects for both the
health and welfare of the individual.
It is suggested that alcohol related problems may be more prevalent in the
athletic population due to their risk taking mentality and the age profile
of athletes (18- to 24-year-old males).
Alcohol consumption also appears to have a causative effect in sports
related injury, with an injury incidence of 54.8% in drinkers compared with
23.5% in nondrinkers (p < 0.005).
This may be due in part to the hangover effect of alcohol consumption, which
has been shown to reduce athletic performance by 11.4%.
Alcohol is a potentially lethal drug and is a banned substance for certain
Olympic sports.
Education is the cornerstone for appropriate social use of this drug.
Athletes and coaches need to be aware of the sports related adverse effects
of alcohol consumption and its role in sports injury and poor physiological
performance.
It is recommended that alcohol should be avoided by the serious athlete.
Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial PMID: 10840864
************************************************** *************

Ann Intern Med. 2000 Jun 6;132(11):897-902.
Comment in: Ann Intern Med. 2001 Mar 20;134(6):533-4.
The alcohol hangover.
Wiese JG, Shlipak MG, Browner WS. shlip@itsa.ucsf.edu
Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of California, San
Francisco 94121, USA.

PURPOSE: To review the cause, pathophysiologic characteristics, cost, and
treatment of alcohol-induced hangover.
DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search of English-language reports (1966 to 1999)
and a manual search of bibliographies of relevant papers.
STUDY SELECTION: Related experimental, clinical, and basic research studies.
DATA EXTRACTION: Data in relevant articles were reviewed, and relevant
clinical information was extracted.
DATA SYNTHESIS: The alcohol hangover is characterized by headache,
tremulousness, nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue combined with decreased
occupational, cognitive, or visual-spatial skill performance.
In the United States, related absenteeism and poor job performance cost $148
billion annually (average annual cost per working adult, $2000).
Although hangover is associated with alcoholism, most of its cost is
incurred by the light-to-moderate drinker.
Patients with hangover may pose substantial risk to themselves and others
despite having a normal blood alcohol level.
Hangover may also be an independent risk factor for cardiac death.
Symptoms of hangover seem to be caused by dehydration, hormonal alterations,
dysregulated cytokine pathways, and toxic effects of alcohol.
Physiologic characteristics include increased cardiac work with normal
peripheral resistance, diffuse slowing on electroencephalography, and
increased levels of antidiuretic hormone.
Effective interventions include rehydration, prostaglandin inhibitors, and
vitamin B6.
Screening for hangover severity and frequency may help early detection of
alcohol dependency and substantially improve quality of life.
Recommended interventions include discussion of potential therapies and
reminders of the possibility for cognitive and visual-spatial impairment.
No evidence suggests that alleviation of hangover symptoms leads to further
alcohol consumption, and the discomfort caused by such symptoms may do so.
Therefore, treatment seems warranted.
CONCLUSIONS: Hangover, a common disorder, has substantial morbidity and
societal cost. Appropriate management may relieve symptoms in many patients.
Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial PMID: 10836917
************************************************** ************

Alcohol. 1999 Oct; 19(2): 119-30.
Association of alcohol in brain injury, headaches, and stroke with
brain-tissue and serum levels of ionized magnesium: a review of recent
findings and mechanisms of action.
Altura BM, Altura BT. baltura@downstate.edu
Department of Physiology, State University of New York, Health Science
Center at Brooklyn, 11203, USA.

Although there is general agreement that chronic ingestion of alcohol poses
great risks for normal cardiovascular functions and peripheral-vascular
homeostasis, a direct cause and effect between the real phenomena of
alcohol-induced headache and risk of brain injury and stroke is not
appreciated.
"Binge drinking" of alcohol is associated with an ever-growing number of
strokes and sudden death.
It is becoming clear that alcohol ingestion can result in profoundly
different actions on the cerebral circulation (e.g., vasodilation,
vasoconstriction-spasm, vessel rupture), depending upon dose and physiologic
state of host.
Using rats, it has been demonstrated that acute, high doses of ethanol can
result in stroke-like events concomitant with alterations in brain
bioenergetics.
We review recent in vivo findings obtained with 31P-NMR spectroscopy,
optical reflectance spectroscopy, and direct in vivo microcirculatory
studies on the intact brain.
Alcohol-induced hemorrhagic stroke is preceded by a rapid fall in brain
intracellular free magnesium ions ([Mg2+]i) followed by cerebrovasospasm and
reductions in phosphocreatine (PCr)/ATP ratio, intracellular pH, and the
cytosolic phosphorylation potential (CPP) with concomitant rises in
deoxyhemoglobin (DH), mitochondrial reduced cytochrome oxidase aa3 (rCOaa3),
blood volume, and intracellular inorganic phosphate (Pi).
Using osmotic mini-pumps implanted in the third cerebral ventricle,
containing 30% ethanol, it was found that brain [Mg2+]i is reduced 30% after
14 days; brain PCr fell 15%, whereas the CPP fell 40%.
Such animals became susceptible to stroke from nonlethal doses of ethanol.
Human subjects with mild head injury have been found to exhibit early
deficits in serum ionized Mg (IMg2+);
the greater the degree of early head injury (30 min-8 h), the greater and
more profound the deficit in serum IMg2+ and the greater the ionized Ca
(ICa2+) to IMg2+ ratio.
Patients with histories of alcohol abuse or ingestion of alcohol prior to
head injury exhibited greater deficits in IMg2+ (and higher ICa2+/IMg2+
ratios) and, unlike the subjects without alcohol, did not leave the hospital
for at least several days. Women, for some unknown reason, exhibit a much
higher incidence of morbidity and mortality from subarachnoid hemorrhage
(SAH) than men.
Data on 105 men and women with different types of stroke indicate that, on
the average, a 20% deficit in serum IMg2+ is seen; total Mg (TMg) or blood
pH is usually near normal.
Women with SAH, however, exhibit much lower IMg2+ and higher ICa2+/IMg2+
ratios;
the presence of ethanol in the blood is associated with even more depression
in IMg2+ in SAH in women.
It is possible that prior alcohol ingestion is, in large measure,
responsible for a great deal of this unexplained higher incidence of SAH in
women.
It has recently been reported that the cyclical changes in estrogenic
hormones appear to control the serum IMg2+ level in young women.
A surge in estrogenic levels prior to SAH could thus precipitate, in part,
the SAH. In other human studies, it has been shown that migraines and
headache, dizziness, and hangover, which accompany ethanol ingestion, are
associated with rapid deficits in serum IMg2+ but not in TMg.
The former, and the alcohol-associated headache, can be ameliorated with IV
administration of MgSO4.
Premenstrual tension-headache (PTH) and its exacerbation by alcohol in women
is also accompanied by deficits in IMg2+, and elevation in serum
ICa2+/IMg2+;
IV MgSO4 corrects the PTH and the serum deficit in IMg2+.
Animal experiments show that IV Mg2+ can prevent alcohol-induced hemorrhagic
stroke and the subsequent fall in brain [Mg2+]i, [PCr], pHi, and CPP.
Other recent data indicate that alcohol-induced cellular loss of [Mg2+]i is
associated with cellular Ca2+ overload and generation of oxygen-derived free
radicals;
chronic pretreatment with vitamin E prevents alcohol-induced vascular injury
and pathology in the brain. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)
Publication Types: Review Review Literature PMID: 10548155

Med Hypotheses. 2001 Dec; 57(6): 705-13.
Tension headaches and muscle tension: is there a role for magnesium?
Altura BM, Altura BT.
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, and The Center for Cardiovascular
and Muscle Research, SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn, New York 11203,
USA.

Although many theories and hypotheses have been offered for the etiology of
tension-type headache (TH), no one previous hypothesis seems to adequately
explain TH.
This may, in large measure, account for why it is often difficult to
effectively treat TH.
Herein, we review current and old hypotheses of TH and offer a new
hypothesis which is consistent with what is known about TH.
We show that magnesium (Mg) metabolism may be pivotal in both the etiology
and treatment of TH.
Measurement of serum ionized Mg2+ (IMg2+) levels and brain intracellular
free Mg2+ ([Mg2+]i) appear to offer excellent methods for establishing the
validity of our hypothesis.
Since approximately 70% of patients who have a TH exhibit muscular tightness
and tenderness, it is distinctly possible that problems in Mg metabolism and
dietary intake are the links to concomitant muscle tension and TH.
The significance of release of pain mediators, muscle cramps, muscle strains
(and damage) and muscle tension to TH, and its relationship to Mg
metabolism, are reviewed.
These are all associated with a Mg-deficient state.
It seems clear from the available data that TH's are more associated with
muscle tension or scalp tension than any other headache type.
From the data available, Mg supplementation appears to be of great benefit
in many of these situations.
We believe there is a great need for clinicians to examine Mg2+ metabolism,
bioavailable Mg2+ in muscle tissues and blood, and the effectiveness of Mg
salts (in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled manner) in subjects with TH
and muscle tension. Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial PMID:
11918431

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/760
Kovatsi L, Tsouggas M
The effect of oral aspartame administration on the
balance of magnesium in the rat.
Magnes Res 2001 Sep;14(3): 189-94.
Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece kovatsi@med.auth.gr

Magnes Res 2001 Sep; 14(3): 189-94
The effect of oral aspartame administration on the
balance of magnesium in the rat.
Kovatsi L, Tsouggas M. Laboratory of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology,
Faculty of Medicine
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
The aim of the present work was to determine the effect of aspartame
administration on the excretion of magnesium and its distribution in the
various rat tissues and organs.
The present results have shown that aspartame administration influences the
balance of magnesium in the organism, since in some organs and tissues
(heart, lungs, kidneys, adrenals, jejunum, hair and blood) it is
accumulated, while
other organs (liver and testes) are deprived of it.
Aspartame administration also affects the excretion of magnesium from the
organism, since it decreases the concentration of magnesium in both urine
and feces. PMID: 11599551
************************************************** *************

Aviat Space Environ Med. 1997 Jan; 68(1): 30-4.
Urinary 5-hydroxytryptophol following acute ethanol consumption: clinical
evaluation and potential aviation applications.
Hagan RL, Helander A.
Clinical Investigation Facility, David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air
Force Base, CA, USA.

HYPOTHESIS: The unknown prevalence of alcohol use and misuse among aviation
pilots, crewmembers and associated support personnel call for continuous
improvement of methods for detecting recent alcohol use.
Early detection is essential to proper treatment and prevention of
potentially catastrophic mishaps.
Urinary 5-hydroxytryptophol (5HTOL), a serotonin (5HT) metabolite, has shown
promise in the clinical setting as a noninvasive marker of recent alcohol
consumption.
METHODS: The urinary 5HTOL concentrations of 11 male and female subjects
were followed for approximately 24 h following dosing with ethanol 0.6
g.kg-1. Concentrations were reported as a ratio of 5HTOL to
5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid (5HIAA), 5HTOL/5HIAA (pmol/nmol), to compensate
for urinary dilution and elevated 5HTOL levels due to dietary intake.
Data from one male subject was excluded after he admitted to continued
alcohol consumption subsequent to dosing and missing several urine samples.
RESULTS: 5HTOL/5HIAA ratios remained above the 15 pmol/nmol cutoff for
recent alcohol use for approximately 11-16 h in all except one subject.
Calculations based on body weight and administered alcohol dose suggest that
measurable blood alcohol levels would exist for only 5-7 h post ingestion.
CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the extended elevation of 5HTOL/5HIAA
ratios observed in earlier studies, even at the relatively low alcohol dose
used herein.
5HTOL appears to be a marker for acute alcohol consumption worthy of further
investigation by military and civilian authorities.
Potential aviation applications of 5HTOL include validation of measurable
blood alcohol concentrations, investigation of poor performance due to
hangover effects, and as a forensic toxicology tool in aircraft accident
investigations to distinguish between actual alcohol ingestion and
post-mortem alcohol synthesis.
PMID: 9006879
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"Questionnaire responses indicated considerable hangover discomfort.
Responses to semantic differential evaluative scales suggested that research
participants evaluated their own managerial performance in the simulation
setting as impaired.
However, multiple (validated) measures of decision-making performance
obtained in the simulation task did not show any deterioration of
functioning."

Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1995 Oct; 19(5): 1141-6.
Alcohol hangover and managerial effectiveness.
Streufert S, Pogash R, Braig D, Gingrich D, Kantner A, Landis R, Lonardi L,
Roache J, Severs W.
Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey 17033, USA.

Twenty-one male managers who normally drink moderate amounts of alcohol
participated in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over experiment.
Subjects consumed either placebo or alcoholic drinks to attain a breath
alcohol level of 0.10 during the evening before participation in Strategic
Management Simulations.
By the time of arrival at the simultaion laboratory on the following
morning, breath alcohol levels were measured at 0.00.
Questionnaire responses indicated considerable hangover discomfort.
Responses to semantic differential evaluative scales suggested that research
participants evaluated their own managerial performance in the simulation
setting as impaired.
However, multiple (validated) measures of decision-making performance
obtained in the simulation task did not show any deterioration of
functioning.
Previous research had shown considerable performance decrements in the same
task setting, while blood/breath alcohol levels ranged from 0.05 through
0.10%. Apparently, complex decision-making competence by persons who
normally consume moderate amounts of alcohol may not be impaired by hangover
caused by intoxication during the previous evening that remains at or below
a blood alcohol level of 0.10. Publication Types: Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial PMID: 8561282
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1100
research on aspartame (methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid) toxicity:
Murray 2004.07.10 rmforall

Rich Murray, MA Room For All rmforall@comcast.net
1943 Otowi Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505 USA 505-501-2298

[ NutraSweet, Equal, Canderel, Benevia, E951 ]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1047
Avoiding Hangover Hell 2003.12.31 Mark Sherman, AP writer:
Robert Swift, MD [ formaldehyde from methanol in aspartame ]:
Murray 2004.01.16 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1048
hangovers from formaldehyde from methanol (aspartame?):
Schwarcz: Linsley: Murray 2004.01.18

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1052
DMDC: Dimethyl dicarbonate 200mg/L in drinks adds methanol 98 mg/L
( becomes formaldehyde in body ): EU Scientific Committee on Foods
2001.07.12: Murray 2004.01.22 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/927
Donald Rumsfeld, 1977 head of Searle Corp., got aspartame FDA approval:
Turner: Murray 2002.12.23 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1039
three-page review: aspartame (methanol, formaldehyde) toxicity:
Murray 2003.11.22 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1026
brief aspartame review: formaldehyde toxicity: Murray 2003.09.11 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1025
aspartame & formaldehyde toxicity: Murray 2003.09.09 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1094
the 11% methanol component of aspartame becomes formaldehyde, now ruled a
carcinogen by WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer: Murray
2004.06.16 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/1084
26 stevia safety abstracts since 1993: aspartame vs stevia debate on
alt.support.diabetes, George Schmidt, OD: Murray 2004.05.25 rmforall

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aspartameNM/message/935
Comet assay finds DNA damage from sucralose, cyclamate, saccharin in
mice: Sasaki YF & Tsuda S Aug 2002: Murray 2003.01.01 rmforall
[ Also borderline evidence, in this pilot study of 39 food additives,
using test groups of 4 mice, for DNA damage from for stomach, colon,
liver, bladder, and lung 3 hr after oral dose of 2000 mg/kg aspartame--
a very high dose. Methanol is the only component of aspartame that can lead
to DNA damage. ]
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