Firstly, leading up to any party where you know you will imbibe a bit, take a liver tonic for a week or two before hand. (This is also good for general health all the time). Liver tonics usually come in powder form and can be purchased at any health food shop. Also make sure you have some just before you go out on the town. This will help the liver metabolize alcohol and other substances more efficiently. Also make sure you drink plenty of water before you go out so the body is well hydrated.
Another good idea is to take Vitamin B complex tablets in the week leading up to a big party and for a few days afterwards (also a good idea to take these routinely for general health and preventing cognitive decline). Vitamin C is another good vitamin to take before you are going to do anything that is an insult to the body.
Eat before you go out to slow the absorption of alcohol – have a meal that contains lots of protein and good fats such as lean chicken and salad with flax seed oil dressing or oily fish (salmon, tuna) and mashed potatoes.
Reduce the amount of sugar you consume with your alcohol. The forced metabolism of sugar AND alcohol by your body will accelerate the depletion of B vitamins and make the hangover worse as well as depressing your immune system.
Drink water throughout the night and before going to bed to keep hydrated.
The Morning After
Have some bananas (now we can afford them again!) as these contain sugar in the form of fructose which is readily metabolized and made available for energy as well as potassium, which is one of the things you lose lots of when you drink. Bananas are also a natural antacid to help with the nausea, and are high in magnesium which can help relax those pounding blood vessels causing that hangover headache.
Have some vitamin C and a vitamin B complex tablet as alcohol flushed these out of the body. Also have your liver tonic powder.
Indulge in a hot bath as the heat will sweat out the toxins that are causing all the problems of a hangover. You'll feel a bit woozy at first but go with it and you'll feel better afterwards.
If you forget to drink water before going to bed, it would be wise to do so first thing in the morning. Chances are that the headache will already be present, but the faster you replenish your fluid loss, the faster you will begin recuperating. There shouldn't be any exceptions and it is important to drink up plenty of liquids in a hurry, even if you're nauseous.
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