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Is Yer Liver Healthy ????

Cryptasm

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Mar 3, 2006
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SYNTHERGENE FROM SYNTHTEK IS AN EXCELLENT LIVER AID, INJECTED OR TAKEN ORALLY. IN ADDITION HERE IS AN ARTICLE SHOWING SOME OTHER COMPOUNDS AND HERBS THAT ARE PROVEN TO PROTECT AND DETOXIFY. YOU ONLY GOT ONE LIVER, MAKE SURE YOU PROTECT IT AND KEEP IT HEALTHY.

Supporting Optimal Liver Health
By: Chuck Rudolph, MEd. RD.


YOUR liver is the number one line of defense against all toxins that enter your body. Whenever you enjoy the benefits of “the good life”, the liver has to protect your body from the oxidative side effects. This oxidative stress can play a major role in the development of complications that may harm liver health. Each day we are exposed to many different toxins (alcohol consumption, sunlight, gas fumes, exercise, performance enhancing drugs, medications, over-the-counter drugs, etc.), which increase the production of free radicals. Free radicals, being very unstable and reactive, many times cause cellular damage and eventually serious pathology. Eradicating toxins and reducing free radical damage is one of the most important functions of the liver. Recent clinical investigations have indicated that there are vital nutrients that can protect and support liver health.* Some of these powerful “liver helpers” are N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC), Alpha-Lipoic Acid, a new treated form of Silymarin, Choline and Vitamin E. In addition, two ayurvedic herbs, Picrorhiza kurroa and Andographis paniculata have been used for thousands of years for their support for liver health.*

Vital Nutrients for Optimal Liver Health

One of the most popular nutrients that support liver health is Silymarin, which is an isolated extract from milk thistle (Silybum marrium). Silymain has proven to be very effective in supporting liver health.* Silymarin acts as a powerful antioxidant to counteract detrimental toxins and free radicals that can potentially harm the liver.* Research has suggested that Silymarin may protect against genomic injury, can increase liver cell protein synthesis, chelate iron, slow calcium metabolism, support prostate health and display liver protection activity.* Along with Silymarins’ liver protection characteristics, current research has indicated beneficial effects on cholesterol metabolism.* Silymarin may elicit a direct effect on liver cholesterol metabolism by inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis, therefore, lowering liver cholesterol concentrations.* Further investigations attest that Silymarin caused an increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL – “good” cholesterol) and a decrease in liver cholesterol content, which are very beneficial changes in cholesterol metabolism.* Unfortunately, the true efficacy of this herb may not be fully known because it is so poorly absorbed into the blood-stream.

N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC), a variant of the amino acid L-cysteine, is a great source of sulfhydryl (SH) groups and is converted in the body into metabolites capable of stimulating glutathione (GSH) synthesis, promoting detoxification and acting directly as free radical scavengers. N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) has been used clinically in hospitals as an antidote for acetaminophen poisoning and as a mucolytic agent to support respiratory health.* More recently, NAC has proven to have multiple benefits in human pathology. NAC, the acetylated derivative of the amino acid cysteine, is a building block in the synthesis of glutathione (GSH) and is an agent capable of protecting the liver and kidneys from damage.* Glutathione is a powerful free radical scavenger and an essential component of the liver's detoxification process.* Toxins in the liver can develop when the depletion of hepatic glutathione produces excess metabolites. NAC has shown to improve hepatic microcirculation by increasing sinusoidal blood flow as well as leukocyte production giving the body extra antioxidant capabilities.* A recent study has indicated that NAC is a precursor to GSH, which significantly supports immune health and decreases flu-like episodes and severity and length of time confined to bed.* Increasing glutathione production with NAC supplementation can reduce these toxic metabolites.*

Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a powerful antioxidant that is produced naturally in the body and stimulates the production of glutathione (GSH). It is a compound that contains sulfur in the form of two thiol groups (a thiol consists of one sulfur and one hydrogen). Once inside the cells, ALA is converted to a more potent antioxidant, dihydrolipoic acid. Research has indicated that ALA, like Vitamin C is an effective water-soluble antioxidant protecting tissues such as the blood from dangerous free radicals. * It was also indicated that when ALA converts to dihydrolipoic acid, it is an effective fat-soluble antioxidant, like that of Vitamin E, protecting fatty tissues as well as membranes.* This unique quality makes ALA the most potent antioxidant because it offers protection against free radicals both inside and outside the cell. Other antioxidants may only provide extracellular protection. Its ability to increase GSH, recycle both fat and water soluble antioxidants and act as a powerful free radical scavenger, makes ALA a necessity for supporting overall immune and liver health.*

Choline is a precursor for the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This non-essential nutrient is important in maintaining plasma membrane structure and function and is involved in intracellular signaling. A recent investigation indicated that acute withdrawal of choline (via dietary) induced death of liver cells.* Healthy humans fed diets deficient in choline and humans fed parenterally (intravenously) have shown decreased plasma choline concentrations and tend to develop liver dysfunction as that which is seen in choline-deficient animals.* In the choline-deficient group, serum alanine aminotransferase activity (ALT: enzymes used as a marker for liver injury), increased steadily indicating liver dysfunction or complication. It has also been noted that humans consuming a choline-deficient diet for 3 weeks had depleted stores of choline in tissues and developed signs of initial liver dysfunction.* The study also showed that tissue concentrations of choline decreased significantly while serum ALT increased sharply when healthy young adult men received a choline-free diet for 3 weeks. It is suggested that choline is an essential nutrient for humans when excess methionine and folate are not available in the diet.*

Vitamin E is the term used for a naturally occurring fat-soluble nutrient called alpha-tocopherol, which is essential and has the highest biological activity and predominates in many species. In humans vitamin E is the most important lipid soluble antioxidant. Vitamin E has been shown to protect against liver damage induced by oxidative stress in animal experiments. A clinical trial revealed that supplementing vitamin E supported liver function.* ALT and AST levels (both enzyme markers of liver complications) were lowered after vitamin E supplementation. (Note: during liver dysfunction or injury, AST and ALT are elevated).* Vitamin E deficiency and other malabsorption concerns all may cause varying degrees of neurologic deficits.* It should be noted that a considerable number of patients with liver complications might actually be vitamin E deficient.*

Clinical research has validated the efficacy of several plants that support liver health. Basic scientific research has unveiled the mechanisms by which some plants provide their therapeutic effects. Silymarin has been shown to have clinical applications to support various applications of liver health. Picrorhiza kurroa (PK), appears to have similar applications and mechanisms as that of silymarin although there is less clinical data to support it therapeutic use. However, when compared with silymarin, the hepatoprotective effects of Picrorhiza were found to be similar.* A galactosamine-induced liver injury study in animals showed a significant reduction in liver lipid content, ALT and AST. In a trial in patients with liver concerns, difference in values of bilirubin, ALT and AST were significant between placebo and PK groups* Andographis paniculata is another Ayurvedic plant used for many years for supporting liver health.*

With extensive daily exposure to so many different toxins (alcohol consumption, sunlight, gas fumes, exercise, performance enhancing drugs, medications, over-the-counter drugs, etc.), the potential risks from free radical production can wreak havoc on our liver health. Nutritional research is opening new doors and indicating that these popular nutrients are vital for those seeking to fight off free radical damage as well as support and protect liver health.*

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