There was a publication by 4 Univ. professors yesterday that found it's way to the TV news. They are Psychiatrists as well as clinical doctors and they put together a theory that goes like:
Alexander's death "might" be explained if he was suffering from the lack of a specific enzyme (can't remember the name of it) that decomposes alcohol. Furthermore a person that lack's this enzyme would get drunk with only a small portion of alcohol and would suffer the aftereffects for days. Headaches, bad temper and aggressive behavior are common indications of this syndrome. The patient health deteriorates rapidly if s/he continues the use of alcohol over long periods of time. That would explain many things but unfortunately it cannot be proven safely unless we recover his body...
This is part of a medical presentation with part of it devoted to ATG and it's my recollection from a reportage of a TV channel. I'll try to gather more info.regards,
Yiannis
An enzyme responsible for Alexander's death?
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marcus
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Re: An enzyme responsible for Alexander's death?
Hmmm, sounds interesting, Yiannis.I have a colleague here at work who I think suffers from the lack of that particular enzyme...All the bestMarcus
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Tre
Re: An enzyme responsible for Alexander's death?
This is the news blurb:'ALCOHOL KILLED ALEXANDER THE GREAT
Greek researchers have come to the conclusion that the most probable cause for the death of Alexander the Great was a reaction to an alcohol enzyme following years of drinking. They say there are historic records of Alexander's profound mood changes, which lasted for days after alcohol consumption. This behaviour they claim is consistent with human reaction to an enzyme found in wine. However historians agree that a conclusive investigation into the death of the 33-year-old in 323BC can be carried out only if his tomb is found.'This is one of the more far fetched theories of Alexander's death and not consistent with a close reading of the historical record. Alexander was highly emotional all the time, so if this is the best 'symptom' they used to make such a diagnosis, there goes that particular theory.Regards,Tre
Greek researchers have come to the conclusion that the most probable cause for the death of Alexander the Great was a reaction to an alcohol enzyme following years of drinking. They say there are historic records of Alexander's profound mood changes, which lasted for days after alcohol consumption. This behaviour they claim is consistent with human reaction to an enzyme found in wine. However historians agree that a conclusive investigation into the death of the 33-year-old in 323BC can be carried out only if his tomb is found.'This is one of the more far fetched theories of Alexander's death and not consistent with a close reading of the historical record. Alexander was highly emotional all the time, so if this is the best 'symptom' they used to make such a diagnosis, there goes that particular theory.Regards,Tre
Re: An enzyme responsible for Alexander's death?
I think they are talking about GGTP or ALT, either way I do not think Alexander is a prime candidate. Unless he may have had a bit of Hepatisis as well, I believe he was too young to have damaged liver that badly. It is an interesting theory. I would have though that one of the sources would have noticed a change in Alexander's skin colour, he would have been as yellow as Homer Simpson. I could be wrong, I have'nt worked in Diagnostics for nearly 15 years.
Re: An enzyme responsible for Alexander's death?
Not only they try to milk out of all sources the facts about Alexander's "mood-changes", while all of them mention his highly emotional temper - stating as a fact his emotional unstability. They also conviniently forget to mention the fact (apparently recorded by Aristobulos (sp?)) and mentioned both by Plutarch and Arrian - that he didn't drink as much as SOME people thought he did! Of course, one can always argue they were not objective enough..."shrug"...