“Pre-drinking” pill uses probiotics to break down alcohol before alcohol reaches the liver

Photo from Myrkl

Swedish probiotic company de Faire Medical (Stockholm) is bringing its pre-drinking dietary supplement, Myrkl, to the U.S. market. The supplement first launched in the UK. It contains trademarked probiotic strain AB001, described as a “mix of proprietary high-performing bacteria enriched with L-cysteine and vitamin B12.” According to the company, a published study¹ showed that the product can help break alcohol down before it reaches the liver.

Says the firm’s press release, “Myrkl is the first-ever product in history to demonstrate the breakdown of alcohol effectively (eliminating up to 70% of alcohol after 60 minutes), reducing common symptoms experienced after drinking alcohol.” It adds: “Not only does Myrkl break down alcohol into water and carbon dioxide before reaching the liver, but it also eliminates the calories associated with alcohol in the process.”

In the press release, Myrkl’s head of group, Frederic Fernandez, added, “We are delighted to be bringing this world-first supplement to the United States. The proprietary formulation and active ingredient in Myrkl, AB001, is a scientific breakthrough and the first time in history that a product has demonstrated the breakdown of alcohol effectively in the gut before it reaches the liver.”

Reference

1. Pfutzner A et al. “Chronic uptake of a probiotic nutritional supplement (AB001) inhibits absorption of ethylalcohol in the intestine tract—results from a randomized double-blind crossover study.” Nutrition and Metabolic Insights. Published online June 23, 2022.