Support Liver™

~ Promotes detoxification
~ Supports overall liver integrity

The Body's Filter and Protector
A Critical Organ Demands an Advanced Formula
The Formula | References

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• Supports healthy liver function
• Protects the liver from toxic overload and cell damage
• Helps in energy production
• Aids the liver in the breakdown of toxins and metabolic waste
• Enhances the activities of detoxification enzymes
• Protects against free radical damage
• Fights fatigue and malaise
• Contributes to improved filtration of blood
• Helps to reduce discomfort caused by hepatic diseases
• Targets each phase of liver detoxification with specific essential nutrients†
  

The Body's Filter and Protector

The liver may be the single most important organ in the body for supporting overall physical health. It is the largest organ in the body (besides the skin) and has an enormous amount of blood flowing through it every moment. It cleanses the bloodstream, with its Kuppfer cells acting as the filter, and is of vital importance to immunity and energy production. The liver is best known for its role in detoxification, transforming substances like ammonia, metabolic waste, drugs and chemicals, so that they can be excreted. The liver is also the source of bile, which functions to break down fats. It is a source of energy, storing glucose in the form of glycogen which is converted back to glucose. Metabolizing carbohydrates, proteins and fats, making food available to the body for energy, tissue building, activating enzymes...the list of the liver’s functions is long and reinforces the point that we need to protect it!

The world is toxic. The liver is under unprecedented chronic stress. Environmental chemicals, prescription and illicit drugs, excessive use of alcohol and caffeine, poor diet, pollution, metabolic disorders, parasites, etc - it's amazing that we live with our livers as well as we do. Defending the filter of the body from damage is essential to maintaining health and avoiding disease – a sluggish liver equals sluggish mind and body.

A Critical Organ Demands an Advanced Formula

Support Liver was designed by Dr. Timmins to support the two phases of liver detoxification.

The Two Phases of Detoxification

The liver transforms fat-soluble toxins into a water-soluble form so they can be released through the kidneys (for elimination through the urine) and into the bile (for elimination through the colon). This transformation occurs during a two-phase process:

Phase I involves a group of 50 to 100 enzymes called the cytochrome P448 and P450 systems. These enzymes play a central role in the detoxification of both exogenous components (such as drugs and pesticides) and endogenous ones (such as hormones), as well as in the synthesis of steroid hormones and bile acids.

A side effect of this metabolic activity is the production of free radicals, which bind to cellular components and cause cellular damage. The most important antioxidant for neutralizing these free radicals is glutathione, which is needed both for Phase I and Phase II. When exposure to high levels of toxins produces so many free radicals from Phase I detoxification that all the glutathione is exhausted, Phase II processes dependent on glutathione cease. This causes an imbalance between Phase I and Phase II activity, which results in severe toxic reactions, due to buildup of toxic intermediate forms.

Phase II detoxification involves conjugation, which means that a protective compound becomes bound to the toxin. Besides glutathione conjugation there are essentially five other processes: amino acid conjugation, methylation, sulfation, sulfoxidation, acetylation and glucuronidation. These enzyme systems need specific nutrients in order to function. If the liver cells are not functioning properly, phase II detoxification slows down and increases the toxic load by allowing the buildup of toxic intermediates.

As explained below, Support Liver contains the ideal amounts of specific nutrients to support this phase, as well as phase I.

The Two Phases Of Liver Detoxificiation

Support Liver – The Formula

Three Capsules of Support Liver Contain:

• Vitamin C (as Ascorbyl Palmitate) - 9 mg
• Acts synergistically with N-Acetyl-Cysteine, assisting its active properties. REF 1, 2
• L-Methionine - 300 mg
• This sulfur-containing amino acid is the primary methylating agent in the liver. The importance of methylation cannot be overstated. Methylation is the biochemical process in which certain molecules transfer or donate a methyl group (-CH3) to other molecules. This donation of the one carbon molecule comes from larger molecules called methyl donors, such as methionine. Without the methylation process, methyl acceptors do not function optimally and damage to cellular structures can occur. Studies have demonstrated that impaired methylation can be detrimental to many functions in the human body, contribute to cardiovascular disease and arthritis, and may be the genesis of cancer. L-methionine is a powerful antioxidant, also assisting in the breakdown of fats and helping to inactivate free radicals. REF 3, 4, 5
• Lemon Pure Form Bioflavonoid Complex - 345 mg
  
  • Contains antioxidant properties that help maintain liver cell integrity and maximizes the effectiveness of the formula's moderate vitamin C content. It is also helpful in maintaining the integrity of liver tissue. Bioflavonoids help to reduce inflammation and aid in tissue repair. REF 6, 7
• N-Acetyl-Cysteine - 150 mg
• The effectiveness of N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) is primarily attributed to its ability to reduce extracellular cystine to cysteine, or to act in the cells as a source of sulfhydryl groups. As a source of sulfhydryl groups, NAC stimulates glutathione synthesis and is capable of scavenging free radicals. The harmful compounds that are conjugated with glutathione then pass harmlessly out of the body through the biliary system. NAC is essential to empowering phase II liver detoxification' sulfation process. REF 8, 9, 10
• Taurine - 75 mg
  
  • Taurine plays a major role in the liver via the formation of bile acids and detoxification. It is the major amino acid required for the removal of toxic chemicals and metabolites from the body and is an essential component of cell membranes, where it plays a role in stabilizing transport across cell membranes. A deficiency of taurine can lead to electrolyte imbalance due to impaired mineral transport across cell membranes and this reduces the ability of the liver to remove pollutants via the excretory routes of the bowel and kidneys. Many people with chemical sensitivities and allergies have abnormally low levels of taurine. The inclusion of taurine in Support Liver is beneficial for the above reasons as well as for the antioxidant protection it provides. REF 11, 12, 13
• L-Glutathione (reduced) - 75 mg
  
  • The most abundant and required antioxidant in the body, glutathione (GSH) is synthesized from the amino acids glycine, L-cysteine, and glutamic acid. The level of glutathione in the liver is critically linked to the liver's ability to detoxify. The higher the glutathione content, the greater the liver's capacity to detoxify harmful chemicals. Typically, when we are exposed to chemicals which can damage the liver, the concentration of glutathione in the liver is substantially reduced. This reduction in glutathione renders liver cells susceptible to damage. Some glutathione is released directly by the liver into the bloodstream where it helps to maintain strong red blood cells while also protecting white blood cells. Glutathione acts as one of the major detoxifiers in the body, but it must be in the reduced form to work properly. Sometimes glutathione will be listed on the label of a product; however it won't be listed as being 'reduced'. The unreduced form is much cheaper and is not metabolically active. Support Liver uses the reduced form. REF 14, 15, 16

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Suggested Use:

• General Suggestion: Three capsules ½ hour before breakfast.
• Individualized dosages can be further refined with data provided by testing Urinary Bile Acid Sulfate (UBAS) levels. (For more information on UBAS testing).

References