RU-21
claims to combat alcohol's effects, hangovers
By
Christiana Nelson
Rocky Mountain Collegian
FORT
COLLINS, Colo. (U-Wire) -- Hangovers. Some
students cringe at the word and avoid recalling
memories of the morning after, but a new
supplement out in stores this week claims
to counteract the effects of alcohol, including
hangovers.
The
supplement, RU-21, was developed by the
Russian Academy of Sciences 25 years ago
as a top-secret remedy to keep spies sober
when they were drinking with potential targets.
Yet,
the plan did not work as expected. The spies
still became intoxicated, and the project
files were declassified in 1999, according
to Newhouse News Service.
Although
the pill did not keep people sober, the
declassification revealed RU-21's benefits
to the public.
The
makers of RU-21 claim the pill slows down
the production of acetaldehyde, a highly
toxic byproduct of alcohol consumption,
and speeds up the process of aldehyde dehydrogenase
2, an enzyme that converts the acetaldehyde
into a non-toxic acid.
Therefore,
alcohol is metabolized more quickly in the
body and most people who use the pill do
not experience a hangover the next day.
The pills are sold at $4.99 for 20 pills
from the RU-21 Web site, and consumers are
supposed to take two pills prior or during
consumption of every two drinks.
Emil
Chiaberi, executive director of Spirit Sciences
USA, Inc., said the pill was never really
intended as a hangover remedy.
"It
is designed to protect people from
the effects of alcohol when
consumed moderately," Chiaberi said.
"It is a pill that can help over time,
and fortunately, or unfortunately, there
are short-term effects, like not having
a hangover."
Despite
the manufacturer's warning that people should
not take the pills just to deter a hangover,
health officials are still concerned with
the message the pill sends to the public.
Pam
McCracken, director for the Center of Drug
and Alcohol Education at CSU, believes consumers
will see RU-21 as a consequence-free remedy
for excess drinking.
"It
gives a false sense of security," McCracken
said. "People think that because they
are taking these they can drink more and
have less risk for negative factors. There
is only so much your body can handle."
Trevor
Roberts, a junior botany major, once had
alcohol poisoning that left him sick for
a week. He likes the idea of not having
a hangover, but is also uncertain about
using the new supplement.
"My
hesitation is that you don't have the hangover
there to remind you that you may have gone
a little overboard," Roberts said.
"Though it is painful at times, it
is a good reminder. On the other hand it
would be nice not to have a hangover."
Curiosity,
and the hope of a better tomorrow, may cause
some students, including sophomore Becky
Hartman, to try the supplement.
"I
think I probably would buy it because hangovers
are not fun. I can see how hangovers deter
you, but no one likes to be sick,"
said Hartman, a health and exercise science
major.
The
market for a dubbed anti-hangover pill is
expected to be so large that Chiaberi said
the company does not even have to advertise.
"We
don't advertise," Chiaberi said. "We
don't need to because we get so much publicity
in health magazines, on radio stations and
in the other media concerned with health."
The
supplement is mostly intended for use as
a long-term health benefit, a pill that
can be taken every day to help deter the
some effects of alcohol, including premature
aging of the skin and liver damage. Supporters
of the pill emphasize that it is for use
by moderate drinkers, not an excuse to drink
in excess.
"If
there are enough morons that will interpret
it this way (by drinking in excess), I guess
it will be a problem," Chiaberi said.
"It is supposed to be for moderate
drinkers to help them lead a healthier lifestyle."
Despite
the intentions of the pill, students have
opinions on the message RU-21 sends to consumers.
"It
tells you to drink as much as you want and
you'll still look good the next day,"
said Juliana Hissrich, a senior political
science major.
Jamie
Penn, a junior psychology major, agrees.
"It
will make people more likely to binge drink
and to drink more often if they know they
could not feel like crap the next day,"
Penn said. "You could be doing serious
damage by drinking that often even if you
don't feel bad. It encourages drinking without
consequences."
The
long-term effects of the supplement have
not been tested, nor does RU-21 have to
be FDA regulated because it is being marketed
as a dietary supplement. The pill has been
available online at www.RU-21.com since
the beginning of this year and is being
shipped into major grocery, pharmacy and
health food stores within the next few weeks,
Chiaberi said.
Despite
the lure of a magic anti-hangover pill,
McCracken warns people to still take responsibility
for their actions.
"If
you abuse your body, no matter what you
take, (your body) is just going to say 'enough,'"
McCracken said, "The key is not to
get intoxicated to the point where you need
a hangover pill."
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