Humans created alcoholic beverages 10,000 years ago, but effective hangover prevention has eluded our species until recently. Living Essentials, makers of Chaser – Freedom from Hangovers and Chaser for Wine Headaches, recently announced the results of a clinical trial conducted by Marshall-Blum LLC that proves the effectiveness and safety of its products in preventing hangover symptoms.

According to the trials executive summary, “The efficacy of the product ‘Chaser’ appears to be proven based on the clinical trial. All of the major symptoms associated with acute alcohol toxicity were improved while on the product.”

The report goes on to say: “There appears to be no drawbacks to this product with respect to safety as determined by this trial. Furthermore, the active ingredients (activated calcium carbonate and activated charcoal) have a long medical history of use and are generally recognized as safe by the FDA.”

The Institutional Review Board-approved clinical trial featuring randomization, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and crossover group design showed statistically significant differences for 17 common hangover symptoms, including headache, fatigue, red eyes, gastrointestinal upsets, dizziness, and lack of concentration. On average, subjects reported improvement in all 17 categories while taking Chaser. These results are encouraging, not perfect, but with significant possibilities.

Test subjects participated in a series of controlled drinking episodes that included between four and 12 drinks (depending on each subject’s historical tendency for hangovers). They also received doses of either Chaser or placebo. After each episode, researchers measured the subjects’ hangover symptoms. At the conclusion of the test, 83 percent of the subjects said they would “highly recommend” or “recommend” Chaser.

According to a 1999 report by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “productivity losses attributed to alcohol were estimated at $119 billion for 1995.” Plus, a survey conducted by Bayer showed it takes an average of just 3.2 drinks to cause hangover symptoms. For 10 percent of people, hangovers occur after just one or two drinks.

Hangovers are considered a national problem by many and can lead to absenteeism and poor job performance and can put people at risk for accidents and injuries. Apparently, the use of Chaser can allow people to enjoy their favorite alcoholic beverage and still meet their personal responsibilities. Chaser – Freedom from Hangovers is a patented formula of activated calcium carbonate and activated charcoal in caplet form. Chaser for Wine Headaches contains the same ingredients plus Vitamin B2.

Living Essentials, located in Walled Lake, Mich. Is a biotech consumer company that was formed to develop proven healthcare technologies.