Wow, thanks for all of the great replies. This is the type of information that I was wanting.
Keeron: I agree with that list and many of those things I already do when consuming alcohol. Milk Thistle, I have heard of it and have been considered using it due to it’s ability to strengthen, and even heal damaged livers. I use ginger frequently, either as a tea or ground root added to food/drinks. I also use vitamin C and high quality B complex (with activated B2/B6/metafolin/methylcobalamin). I know the consumption of alcohol is bad for my body but I don’t abuse it in every way. My diet is pretty clean as it is, I eat mainly organic vegetables and grassfed beef/free range chicken as well as grass fed milk/cheese and butter. I eat very little grains. My sugar intake is very low though I do enjoy cookies or pastries sometimes, its not something I consume large amounts of during the day. I also use coconut oil and I use coconut water for its hydrating effects. Something else I have found that seems to help is chamomile tea. I usually drink that and coconut water while consuming alcohol in large amounts. I also take NAC late in the night or early in the morning (1gram capsules). I also use high doses of Niacin which I have found to be very helpful, though I am aware it is also processed by the liver. I guess I need to just start employing the same tactics with kava.
Steve: My situation is quite similar to yours. 0/1 drinks a week until age 24, the next couple years, increased to about 24-26 a week, a few years after 35-45 drinks a week. I’m now 33. I also like to work out and my biggest side effect from the alcohol is feeling like I’m drained all the time. I also cannot run for much of a distance but that is normal for me, I have never had good endurance which is why I started weight training. As far as the Benzo/Kava interaction, Benzo’s are risky to mix with anything that depresses your CNS but it just depends on the person, tolerance, etc. And I’m surprised your psychiatrist didn’t try to convince you to stop Kava! They usually hate anything other than their drugs. Do you take anything for sleep other than Traz? What kind of Kava are you drinking/how much/how often?
Infraredz: Thanks for the information. I also agree, knowing the strain of the source region would be great. It wouldn’t be too burdensome on the vendors, kind of like buying wine.
I think I will just need to do more experimentation and take in consideration all of the precautions. I just got a bag of Borogu and Boroguru in the mail from BKH, so I will see how they work out. Also, FWIW, I never really noticed any kind of reverse tolerance issue. My initial Kava use was ground root (kona) which I found to be somewhat useful but very weak. I’ve tried some other brands (none of the vendors on this site) various extracts and instant mixes and only got a bit of benefit from using huge amounts, so I know a bit about Kava but am really new to the high quality stuff.
Great!
.. It sounds like you're eating healthy enough, already. Cookies And pastries once every month or every now and then is nothing.
Its only if we eat them every single day or few days, that it will affect our health. I also eat some grains, such as rice. I see no harm in that.
I only see harm in Wheat and similar grains, which contains Gliadin, which is basically a poison. And it acts Like
opiates in the brain.
And yeah, keep taking the Milk Thistle and NAC, try get Jarrow's Milk Thistle. I only recommend them because of the Quality Control behind them,
Jarrow's Milk Thistle has been shown to Increase Liver Enymes and Function over other brands which may use lesser quality herb.
I seriously see no harm in Kava whatsoever. All you have to do is protect your liver, its as simple as that.
If your liver is protected, it can fight off toxins , poisons, and even Poisonous Substances that are supposed to kill you.
Kava Root isn't poisonous but contains Hepatotoxins, which your Liver should be able to easily deal with, if its Protected and Functioning Correctly.
I've studied scientific literature on Kava and the people who got damaged by Kava.
They came across some conclusions that Kava can be Hepatotoxic because, 12%–21% of Caucasians are poor metabolisers of CYP2D6 enzymes compared to less than 1% for Asians/Pacific Islanders, which may contribute to the lower incidence of kava hepatotoxicity in the Pacific.
CYP2D6 enzymes are responsible for hydroxylation and demethylation of kavalactones.. So kavalactone metabolism can be different, in westerners compared to the Indigenous Pacific islanders. Which is not surprising considering how long Kava has been used in the south pacific.
Research is suggestive that
cholestasis rather than hepatocellular damage is associated with Kava, Which is why i recommend Milk Thistle, and why i take S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe).
Inflammation appears to be involved in both forms of Hepatotoxicity induced by Kava and may be a result from activation of liver macrophages (Kupffer cells). A burst Of Kupffer cells could be a cause of Kava's Toxicity.
So one might want to inhibit Kupffer Cells, which can be done Safely and easily with Glycine, An Amino Acid. Glycine is also
Hepapoprotective.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22546493 And can protect form potential liver injuries. I take Glycine sometimes before bed. It also improves sleep quality.
However Milk thistle can Inhibit Kupffer Cells
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8666328.
So you can now see why i recommend you to take Milk Thistle. Not only that, but Jarrow's Milk Thistle.
And you can see why Milk Thistle and your liver are so importan Glycine is also a good Amino Acid to take.
We also may want to Increase CYP2D6 activity, this may lead to greater demethylating Kavalactones.
We might wast to increase the more CYP450 enymes also, CYP450 enzyes are responsible for metabolizing Kava.
So basically you want to regulate the CYP450 enymes, which includes CYP2D6 and all the other enzymes which metabolize Kava.
Ginkgo biloba increases the activity of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 and CYP1A2 and 2D6.
So Ginkgo Biloba can be useful.
Apiaceous vegetables decrease CYP450 enzymes, such as celery, fennel, parsley, parsnip and carrot.
Brassica vegetables increase CYP450, such as cabbage,cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Collard Greens & Kale.
So Eat loads of Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage and sprouts and limit celery, parsnip and fennel etc.
If you dont like veg, simply buy Broccoli Powder and down it, or mix it in a drink.
Still eat a varied diet, but boost the amount of Broccoli, Cabbages, Sprouts etc.
Biotin (Vitamin B7) also increases Expression of the Cytochrome P450.
lol..