Liver Nutrients by Seeking Health provides a unique blend of nutrients that may help support Phase I and Phase II liver detoxification processes. Combining five key ingredients, Liver Nutrients may help support healthy function as well as the body’s natural free-radical defense system. The liver is the body’s central detoxification organ, responsible for deactivating environmental toxins as well as those generated endogenously. The liver is equipped with several detoxification pathways, including excretion of toxins via bile, and a two-phase enzymatic neutralization process (Phase I and Phase II). Because free radicals and other potentially harmful intermediates are generated as a result of Phase I reactions, it is critical to maintain a proper balance of Phase I and Phase II activities to support healthy cellular processes.*

Milk thistle extract is rich in the flavonolignins silybin, silydianin, and silychristin, collectively referred to as silymarin. Unique to milk thistle, silymarin is a powerful flavonoid complex that may support healthy liver function.*

N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is a popular supplemental form of L-cysteine, which is a precursor of glutathione. Glutathione deactivates many pro-oxidants, including hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals, and is required for the synthesis of glutathione peroxidase, another important liver antioxidant. Alpha-lipoic acid is also a powerful antioxidant that is both water and fat soluble, thus able to offer an unusually wide range of antioxidant protection. Alpha-lipoic acid is also thought to help build up the body’s antioxidant defenses by recycling other antioxidants, including glutathione and vitamin C and vitamin E.*

Taurine is involved in a variety of detoxification processes, including bile acid conjugation, a healthy response to oxidative stress, and select Phase II detoxification pathways. In order to clear toxins and excess fat-soluble compounds from the body, bile acids form bile salt conjugates by binding with either taurine or glycine.*

Trimethylglycine, also known as betaine or TMG, may help support normal hepatic levels of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) an important methyl donor. In the liver, SAMe may help support normal fat metabolism and healthy cellular liver composition.*

Maintenance and protection of liver function can be optimized by adequate intake of many additional nutritional factors, including the antioxidant vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, B vitamins, and selenium, as well as a healthy diet and lifestyle. Liver Nutrients may be taken in conjunction with Optimal Multivitamin or Optimal Multivitamin Plus to help provide comprehensive nutritional support of liver health.*