NZ265404A - Composition for treatment of hangover - Google Patents

Description

New Zealand Paient Spedficaiion for Paient Number £65404 New Zealand No. 265404 International No, PCT/NZ94/00042 HO DRAtVIMfiS J Priority Date(s): kfel.S.iSS'. I CompSets Specification Filed: Class: E|P.I.I!».^J.$u^..0K|.3.S4>I^%yiv Publication Date: 1 JIMM......

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NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Title of Invention: Monohydrate dextrose or glucose composition Name, address and nationality of applicant(s) as in international application form: HAMILTON, DONALD SINCLAIR, a New Zealand citizen of 1004 Colombo Street, Christchurch, New Zealand 265 ^ ^ TITLE: MONOHYDRATE DEXTROSE OR GLUCOSE COMPOSITION Background of the Invention The present invention relates to a composition for the treatment of a "hangover" i.e. the after-effects of excessive consumption of ethyl alcohol by a human being.

Summary of the Invention An object of the invention is the provision of a composition which can be taken as a single treatment (in one or more doses) to counteract a hangover.

The present invention provides a composition including:-a major proportion of mcnohydrate dextrose or glucose in combination with the following compounds: (a) 0.5% - 2.4% by weight ascorbic acid; (b) 0.0001% - 0.4% by weight of a non-toxic potassium salt; (c) 0.0001% - 0.4% by weight of a non-toxic magnesium salt; (d) 0.001% - 2.5% by weight vitamin B6; (e) 0.0001% - 0.07% by weight of zinc oxide.

Detailed Description of the Invention One of the known effects of alcohol in the human system is to lower the blood sugar, and this leads to an increase in 1 liver activity as the liver increases its normal rate of breaking down glycogen into blood sugar, to restore the optimum blood sugar level. continual or frequent such increase in liver activity can lead to cirrhosis of the liver.

The brain uses about 25% of available blood sugar, and so is particularly rapidly effected by a drop in blood sugar levels:- hence the symptoms of slurred speech, memory lapses, headaches, loss of co-ordination, blurred vision, personality changes, and so on commonly associated with alcohol consumption.

Monohydrate dextrose breaks down to glucose in the body, and thus both monohydrate dextrose and glucose are quickly and readily assimilated into the blood stream to boost the blood sugar level and help prevent liver damage and counteract brain disfunction.

The presence of alcohol in the system also is believed to increase the amount and frequency of urine passed, leading to a depletion of vitamin C, (ascorbic acid), magnesium and potassium in the system, and these losses need to be replaced to allow the system to resume functioning correctly. Examples of suitable magnesium and potassium salts are magnesium sulphate, magnesium oxide, and potassium phosphate.

It is believed that the presence in the composition of only minute traces of magnesium and potassium salts will be sufficient to stimulate the release of adequate supplies of these salts from the body's own stores. An alternative explanation of the effectiveness of the compound of the WO 94/27449 PCT/NZ94/00042 present invention is that the body requires only minute traces of the magnesium and potassium salts to make up the deficiencies caused by alcohol. However, a higher proportion of magnesium and potassium salts may be advantageous. One or 5 more potassium salts and one or more magnesium salts may be used.

Also, it is believed that the magnesium and potassium salts and vitamin C are much more readily and easily absorbed into the system if taken into the system with monohydrate 10 dextrose or glucose:- the monohydrate dextrose or glucose effectively coats said other constituents and prevents them from being destroyed by stomach acids, and also speeds their circulation around the system.

Zinc oxide assists the pancreas with the production of 15 insulin, and hence facilitates the absorption of glucose into the blood. Zinc oxide also is known to be effective in detoxifying the system i.e. combatting the after-effects of alcohol.

It is believed that the presence of vitamin B6 in the 20 composition considerably increases the rate of activity of the composition and thus gives more rapid relief to a user. It appears that vitamin B6 and magnesium salts are synergistic i.e. the presence of one increases the effectiveness of the other, and thus reduces the amount of each needed in the 25 composition to achieve the desired effect.

Thus, the constituents of the composition act to raise the user's blood sugar level and replenish lost vitamin C, 3 magnesium and potassium, and also interact with each other to mutually increase their effectiveness and to speed their assimilation into the system.

Optionally, the composition also may contain one or more of the following: (a) 0.5% - 2% by weight powdered citric acid, to improve the palatability of the composition? (b) 0.5% - 5% by weight powdered calcium phosphate, to replenish calcium losses.

A preferred embodiment of the present composition comprises:. (a) 2.4% ascorbic acid; (b) 1.1% citric acid; (c) 0.4% vitamin B6; (d) 0.1% magnesium sulphate; (e) 0.1% potassium phosphate; (f) 0.1% magnesium oxide; (g) 0.03% zinc oxide; (h) 95.77% monohydrate dextrose; (all % by weight).

The composition is in the form of a powder, and is taken dissolved in water or in tablet form. It has been found that the composition is more effective if the user lies on the right side after taking the composition, because this allows the composition to pass more quickly though the duodenum into the intestine, for absorption into the system.

Alternatively, the composition may be prepared in liquid 4

Claims (6)

iP 94/27449 PCT/NZ94/00042 form, and drunk or given by injection. 5 265404 CLAIMS:-

1. A composition including:- a major proportion of monohydrate dextrose or glucose in combination with the following compounds: (a) 0.5% - 2.4% by weight ascorbic acid; (b) 0.0001% - 0.4% by weight of a non-toxic potassium salt; (c) 0.0001% - 0.4% by weight of a non-toxic magnesium salt; (d) 0.001% - 2.5% by weight vitamin B6; (e) 0.0001% - 0.07% by weight of zinc oxide.

2. The composition as claimed in Claim 1, further including 0.5% - 2% by weight of citric acid.

3. The composition as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, further including 0.5% - 5% by weight of calcium phosphate.

4. A composition comprising (a) 2.4% ascorbic acid; (b) 1.1% citric acid; (c) 0.4% vitamin B6; (d) 0.1% magnesium sulphate; (e) 0.1% potassium phosphate; (f) 0.1% magnesium oxide; (g) 0.03% zinc oxide; (h) 95.77% monohydrate dextrose; (all % by weight).

5. The composition as claimed in any preceding cla PCT/NZ94/00042 265 4 0 4 wherein said composition is in the form of a powder.

6. The composition as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said composition is in the form of a liquid. WO 94/27449 7