Liver and Antioxidants

In the Liver and Antioxidants collection we bring together food supplements with choline, traditionally used plants and antioxidants, from brands such as Thorne, NOW Foods, Nutergia, Designs for Health, Solaray, KAL, Lamberts, Soria Natural, Be-Life, Bétula, Zeinpharma, Suravitasan and Quicksilver Scientific. You will find choline and phosphatidylcholine, milk thistle, artichoke, dandelion, desmodium, NAC, glutathione, alpha-lipoic acid and broccoli seed extract, in capsules, tablets, liquid extracts and ampoules.

The liver and the antioxidant balance

What the liver does

The liver processes the nutrients absorbed in the gut, produces the bile that helps digest fats, stores energy and vitamins, and transforms substances such as alcohol and many medicines so that they can be eliminated. It does this work continuously, with its own enzyme systems.

Glutathione and oxidative stress

When producing energy, cells form free radicals. Glutathione, a small molecule the body makes from three amino acids (cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid), is one of the main antioxidants in cells and is found in large amounts in the liver.

What about "detox"?

The body eliminates the substances it does not need mainly through the liver and kidneys. In the European Union, no supplement may promise to "eliminate toxins" or "detoxify": EFSA assessed these claims and none was authorised. A varied diet, hydration, sleep and moderate alcohol intake remain the basis.

Types of products

Choline and phosphatidylcholine

Choline is a nutrient found in eggs, liver, fish and pulses. Phosphatidylcholine is the form of choline that is part of cell membranes and of lecithin.

Milk thistle, artichoke and other plants

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is used as an extract standardised to silymarin, sometimes in phytosome form. Artichoke leaf, dandelion root, boldo and desmodium are plants traditionally used in Europe and Africa, alone or in combined formulas.

NAC and glutathione

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a stable form of the amino acid cysteine, from which the body makes glutathione. Glutathione is also available as a supplement, in reduced, sustained-release or liposomal form.

Alpha-lipoic acid

Alpha-lipoic acid is a compound produced by the body that takes part in energy production in the mitochondria. It comes in the R form, the natural form, and in the racemic form (R and S).

Broccoli and D-glucarate

Broccoli seeds and sprouts are rich in glucoraphanin, which gives rise to sulforaphane. Calcium D-glucarate is a salt of glucaric acid, found in fruit and vegetables such as oranges, apples and broccoli.

Precautions

• The plants in this collection may interfere with how some medicines are processed. If you take medication or have a liver condition, talk to your doctor before starting.
• Artichoke, dandelion, boldo and milk thistle are not suitable for people with gallstones or bile duct obstruction without medical advice. Milk thistle, artichoke and dandelion belong to the daisy family (Asteraceae): watch out for allergies.
• Boldo is not intended for prolonged use.
• Alpha-lipoic acid can lower blood sugar: people taking diabetes medication should monitor their levels with their doctor.
• During pregnancy and breastfeeding, ask a health professional for advice.

If you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, persistent itching or unexplained tiredness, talk to your doctor: these are signs that need to be assessed.

See also the Digestion and Stomach Comfort and Gut Comfort collections.