Liver Support - 180 V-Caps

Learning about your Liver
The liver is the largest gland and the most important detoxification organ in the body. More than 500 functions have been attributed to the liver. These functions include the production of bile and the secretion of glucose, proteins, vitamins and fats. The liver also stores energy in the form of glycogen and decomposes red blood cells and unwanted proteins. These important functions explain why the liver has two distinct blood supplies, one to bring oxygen to the liver; the other (called the hepatic portal system) to bring nutrients and molecules absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract to the liver for processing and detoxification.

Liver disorders are a major health problem in North America. While most of the severe liver disorders are related to alcohol consumption, viral hepatitis and hemochromatosis, most of us should be taking better care of our liver because when we overindulge, our liver suffers...

Prevalence of Chronic Liver Disease

• Cirrhosis of the Liver: 400,000 people in the USA 1976-80 (NIH, 1994).

• Alcoholic liver disease: More than 2 million Americans (NIAAA).

• Alcohol is the cause of 44.7% of all death due to liver disease.

• Chronic Hepatitis C: Almost 4 million Americans have antibodies indicating infection or prior exposure (NIDDK).

• Chronic Hepatitis B: 750,000 people in the United States (NIAID).

• Autoimmune Hepatitis: 1,156 people in the USA in 1996.

• Hemochromatosis: more than 1 million Americans (CDC); 5 per 1000 in Caucasians (NIDDK).

• Primary biliary cirrhosis: 9,232 people in the USA in 1996.

• Sarcoidosis: 20 per 100,000 overall; 5 in 100,000 caucasians; 40 out of 100,000 African Americans; Scandinavia 64 out of 100,000 people

• Sarcoidosis: 20 per 100,000 in the city, less in the country.

Ten to fifteen percent of North Americans drink excessively and five percent of us have a genetic disorder known as Gilbert's syndrome which causes abnormal bilirubin metabolism. It should come as no surprise that roughly six percent of healthy people have abnormal liver function. The liver produces or processes most of the nutrients and compounds used by the body; it deserves to be looked after.

The effects of alcohol on the liver:

• Most liver disorders are linked to ethanol, hepatitis C and hemochromatosis.

• In cases of hemochromatosis, vitamin C should be avoided because it increases iron absorption.

• Chronic ethanol administration alters methionine metabolism in the liver, which increases SAH levels. Elevations of SAH levels in the liver are linked to hepatotoxicity and apoptosis and increases homocysteine levels in plasma. Methylating agents counteract this pathological change.

• Ethanol induces oxidative stress and leads to the depletion of antioxidants. Ethanol also alters the fluidity of the cellular membrane of hepatocytes.

• Ethanol increases inflammation through the release of inflammatory cytokines.

• Heavy alcohol consumption often leads to a condition known as fatty liver. This increases the potential for oxidative stress which leads to further inflammation and fibrosis.

Liver Support from AOR was formulated to support optimal liver function. The ingredients found in Liver Support have collectively been shown in studies to protect the liver from toxins, stimulate liver regeneration, inhibit lipid peroxidation, enhance levels of glutathione and induce cytochrome P450.

Milk Thistle Extract - Milk thistle has been used as a traditional remedy for over 2000 years. Milk thistle protects the liver against toxins and has been used successfully to treat chronic liver diseases. More recent trials have also suggested that milk thistle has anticancer, antidiabetic, and cardioprotective effects.

Schizandra - Liver Support also contains Schizandra, an East Asian berry used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Recent research suggests that Schizandra increases the production of an important antioxidant known as glutathione. The benefits of Schizandra also include the induction of detoxification pathways and the possible prevention of unhealthy liver cells as recently shown in animal trials.

N-Acetyl-Cysteine - NAC is a precursor to glutathione, one of the most important antioxidants of the body. Glutathione is a protein made from 3 amino acids and its synthesis is limited by the availability of Cysteine. NAC protects the liver against free radicals and toxins and is now used to prevent liver injury associated with acetaminophen poisoning which is the number one cause of calls to poison centers in the US.

Phyllanthus niuri (PN) - PN is a perennial herb common in hot central and southern areas of the Indian Subcontinent. One of the most impressive applications of PN is in the treatment of certain viruses, particularly hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver, causing inflammation and jaundice, possibly leading to liver cirrhosis, or even death. The effect of phyllanthus for the treatment of infective hepatitis has been studied clinically in 160 patients suffering from jaundice. Of the 160 cases, 101 were completely cured while there were 59 dropouts. PN has also been documented to protect the liver from damage by a variety of chemical liver toxins and oxidative stress.

Sulforaphane glucosinolate (SGS) is a naturally occurring isiothiocyanate found in the brassica family of vegetables, such as broccoli. Sulforaphane has been shown to stimulate the natural defenses of the body to prevent or ameliorate chronic disease. It is a natural anti-oxidant and a potent inducer of phase II liver detoxification enzymes. These effects give sulforaphane not only potent hepatoprotective properties, but also anti-carcinogenic properties.

If you are looking for a complete liver formula that will support liver function and detoxification while promoting liver regeneration, look no further - Liver Support is based on the latest research trials and contains ingredients shown to prevent liver injury and support normal liver function.

Cautions: Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you have a liver disease, cystinuria, if you are taking nitroglycerin or antibiotics, if symptoms persist or worsen after use, or for use beyond 1 month. Hypersensitivity, such as an allergy, is known to occur, in which case, discontinue use.