What is the difference between LIVATONE® and LIVATONE® PLUS?
LIVATONE® PLUS
LIVATONE® PLUS has a very different formula to Livatone, and can be described as a more powerful formula that can support the liver when it is undergoing metabolic problems or dysfunctions. Livatone Plus contains the liver herb St Mary's Thistle, combined with sulphur bearing amino acids Taurine, Glycine, Cysteine and Glutamine. Livatone® Plus also contains all the important B vitamins and lipotrophic cofactors such as Inositol, Folic acid and Biotin. It contains antioxidants that may be beneficial against liver damage and inflammation, such as Green Tea, vitamins C, E and natural betacarotene. In the USA, Livatone® Plus contains Selenium which helps the immune system to reduce viral replication and viral induced damage to cells. Selenium is also a powerful antioxidant and helps the antioxidant effects of glutathione.
Livatone® Plus also contains lecithin and broccoli powder to help liver function. It contains the essential nutrients to support the phase one and phase two detoxification pathways in the liver.
When you have a liver disease it is vital to take a formula that contains the proper dosage of the active ingredients. The herbs should be standardized and pure so you know that you are getting the correct dosage. The "Livatone® Plus" contains the clinically proven dose of the herb Milk Thistle, which is the dose that has been proven to help repair liver damage in hundreds of European clinical trials. This must provide at least 420mg of pure silymarin daily. If you take two capsules of "Livatone® Plus" twice daily, or one teaspoon of the "Livatone® Plus" powder twice daily you will obtain this dose of pure silymarin.
LIVATONE® PLUS can be beneficial in the following conditions:
- Poor detoxification capability in the liver. These people often have multiple chemical, drug and food sensitivity. They may have been exposed to liver toxins. These people often have chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Those who work in high-risk occupations which expose them to a high load of potential liver toxins such as petrochemicals, insecticides and solvents. For example painters, hair-dressers, motor mechanics, agricultural workers, foundry workers, plumbers, plant and transport operators, those in the dry cleaning industry, and some process and factory workers. If such workers support the liver with protective supplements they may reduce the possibility of liver damage. Safe work practises are also of vital importance to minimise risk of contact exposure.
- Those with skin problems such as inflammatory rashes, itchy skin and brown liver spots.
- Liver dysfunction symptoms such as nausea, migraine headaches.
- Diabetics who have a higher incidence of fatty liver and liver dysfunction.
- Gall bladder dysfunction and gall stones.
Livatone® Plus is available in capsule and powder form. The regular dosage in adults is one teaspoon twice daily stirred into a nice fresh juice just before meals, or 2 capsules twice daily with water just before meals. In children over 2 years of age, Livatone® Plus can be used to improve liver function in the above complaints. The dosage for children under 10 years of age is 1/4 to 1/3 of a teaspoon twice daily in fruit juice. Children under 10 find it difficult to swallow capsules and the powder should be used. Both Livatone® and Livatone® Plus can be taken long term, as they are all natural products and free of side effects.
Once you have obtained benefit from Livatone® or Livatone® Plus you may find that a lower maintenance dose of two capsules daily or one teaspoon daily is adequate. This can be continued indefinitely if you so desire, particularly if you feel healthier while taking Livatone® formulas. When starting any liver tonic it is important to begin with a reduced dose to avoid any strong reactions. These can occur because your liver is eliminating toxins rapidly for the first time in years, or rarely because you may be allergic to one of the ingredients. Beginning doses for both types of Livatone® are 1/4 a teaspoon daily or one capsule daily. Take this dose for one week and if you continue to feel well you may go up to the regular dose on the second week. The regular dose is two capsules twice daily or one teaspoon twice daily.
Allergic reactions
The occasional person can be allergic to some liver herbs found in Livatone, in which case Livatone Plus should be used. Rarely, there may be such a severe allergy to salicylates that the person is unable to take any herbs. Most herbs and plants contain salicylates. If salicylate allergy is severe, you will have to avoid all products containing herbs and rely on vitamis and amino acids taken individually.
A good liver tonic needs to contain a synergistic mixture of natural ingredients, which work together to support liver function. There are many liver tonics available, from Swedish bitters to tinctures containing various herbs, and indeed these types of tonics have been used for centuries. In this day and age it is important to use a powerful liver tonic that contains the most essential natural substances for healthy liver function. Such a powerful liver tonic is able to support the detoxification pathways in the liver which breakdown toxins. It is also able to improve the structural and functional integrity of the liver cells and liver filter.
Support your liver and bowel function and start losing weight easily!
| LIVATONE® PLUS contains the following ingredients: |
Livatone® Plus is a liver tonic designed for today's world.
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AMINO ACIDS
Specific amino acids are essential for the liver to breakdown toxins and drugs and also for efficient metabolism in the liver.
Glutamine
This amino acid is required for phase two detoxification in the liver and is required in increased amounts by those who consume excessive alcohol. It is able to reduce the craving for alcohol. Glutamine supplementation is helpful for intestinal disorders such as peptic ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut is the term used to describe an inflamed condition of the lining of the bowel, which makes the bowel too permeable, so that toxins and incompletely digested food particles can be absorbed from the bowels directly into the liver. This increases the workload of the liver and may cause many health problems. Glutamine is essential for the white cells to fight viruses such as hepatitis B and C.
Glutamine is converted in the body into glutamic acid, which, along with the amino acids cysteine and glycine, is converted into the powerful liver protector glutathione. Glutathione is essential for liver phase two conjugation reactions used during detoxification of drugs and toxic chemicals.
Glutathione
Glutathione is a potent antioxidant that is produced in the healthy liver where it neutralizes free radicals before they can damage cells. Glutathione is a component of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione-S-transferase, which is a widely acting liver-detoxifying enzyme. Indeed large amounts of glutathione are stored in the liver, where it detoxifies harmful compounds so they can then be excreted via the bile. Glutathione helps to reduce damage from cigarette smoke, alcohol, radiation, heavy metals, drugs and chemotherapy. Glutathione plays a vital role in preventing liver cancer. Glutathione levels decline with age, and this may accelerate the aging process. It is not worth taking glutathione supplements, as they are expensive and usually poorly absorbed. It is far more effective to increase glutathione levels by giving the liver the raw materials it needs to make its own glutathione, namely, the amino acids glycine, glutamine and cysteine.
Glycine
This amino acid performs more biochemical functions. It is required for the synthesis of bile salts, and is used by the liver to detoxify chemicals in the phase-two detoxification pathways.
Taurine
Inadequate levels of taurine are common in those patients with chemical sensitivities, allergies and poor diets. Taurine is the major amino acid required by the liver for the removal of toxic chemicals and metabolites the liver to detoxify environmental chemcials such as cholorine, chlorite (bleach), aldehydes (produced from alcohol excess), alcohols, petroleum-based solvents and ammonia. Recent findings are demonstrating that taurine is one of the major nutrients involved in the body's detoxification of harmful substances and drugs, and should be considered in the treatment of all chemically sensitive patients. Taurine is helpful for fatty liver, high blood cholesterol and gall bladder problems, alcohol withdrawal, hepatitis and jaundice. Taurine is a sulphur bearing amino acid that is present in all good liver tonics for very good reasons. It is required for the healthy production of bile, and the liver uses it to conjugate toxins and drugs to excrete through the bile. It helps the liver to excrete excessive cholesterol out of the body through the bile, and thus is an aid to weight control and cardiovascular health.
Doses required can vary from 50 to 2000 mg daily. It is free of side effects but should not be taken on an empty stomach in those with stomach ulcers. It is found in animal protein such as meat, seafood, eggs and dairy products but not in vegetable protein. Taurine is often deficient in strict vegans. Taurine regulates the transport of minerals across cell membranes and stabilizes the electrical properties of cell membranes. For this reason, a deficiency of taurine has been linked to epileptic seizures, and combined with vitamin B 6, it has a useful anti-seizure effect in epileptics. It is made from two other amino acids, methionine and cysteine.
Cysteine
Cysteine is an amino acid that contains sulphur, and is needed by the phase-two detoxification pathway. It is a precursor of glutathione. Aldehydes, which are toxic breakdown products of alcohol, rancid fats and smog, are partially neutralized by cysteine. A study reported that large doses of acetaldehyde (derived from alcohol), killed 90% of the mice that consumed it. A group of mice were primed with vitamin C, vitamin B 1 and cysteine, and were then given the equivalent amount of acetaldehyde that had killed 90% of the other mice. None of the supplement-primed mice control group died.
ANTIOXIDANTS
Antioxidants destroy free radicals and so help to detoxify and protect the cells of the body, including the liver cells, from toxins.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is the most powerful antioxidant vitamin for the liver and reduces toxic damage to the liver cells from chemical overload. It neutralizes free radicals generated during the phase 1 detoxification pathway in the liver. Toxic chemicals are far less dangerous if there is plenty of vitamin C in the liver. It helps the liver to regulate cholesterol levels and improves immunity.
Vitamin E
Natural vitamin E is biologically more active than synthetic vitamin E. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects fats from damage. Since cell membranes are composed of fats, vitamin E is the best protector of cell membranes. It does this by preventing free radicals from oxidizing cell membranes, which prevents them from becoming rancid. Thus vitamin E can help to protect the membranes surrounding liver cells. Vitamin E is also needed in those with a "fatty liver", where there is an accumulation of unhealthy oxidized fats in the liver cells. Vitamin E has been found to reduce scar tissue in the liver which can lead to cirrhosis.
Natural Carotenoids
Carotenoids such as beta-carotene are most commonly found in fruits and vegetables and are vital for human health. It is important to take only natural sources of beta-carotene and other carotenoids. Beta-carotene gets converted in the body to vitamin A and yet has none of the toxic side effects of high doses of vitamin A. Large population studies have shown that low intakes of beta-carotene are associated with a higher incidence of cancer. Beta-carotene is a powerful protective antioxidant.
B GROUP VITAMINS
Thiamine (Vitamin B 1)
This B vitamin has antioxidant properties and is helpful in reducing the toxic effects of alcohol, smoking and lead. Thiamine protects against many of the metabolic imbalances caused by alcohol. Deficiency of thiamine is common in those who consume excessive alcohol and this will often lead to poor mental function.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B 2)
This B vitamin is required during phase one detoxification in the liver and is crucial in the production of body energy. Riboflavin deficiency is common in those who consume excessive alcohol and should be supplemented in such cases.
Nicotinamide (Vitamin B 3)
This is also known as Niacinamide, and is required by the liver's phase one detoxification system. It is needed for the metabolism of fats and helps to keep cholesterol levels under control.
Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B 5)
Several studies have found that pantothenate can lower cholesterol (by an average of 15%), and triglycerides (by an average of 30%) in those with elevated levels of these blood fats. A study showed that pantothenate speeds up liver detoxification of acetaldehyde after alcohol consumption. This is very important for those who consume excessive alcohol because acetaldehyde appears to be a major chemical in the toxic process that accompanies long term alcohol use. Pantothenate is required in increased amounts in liver disease and in those who use alcohol excessively.
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B 6)
Vitamin B 6 is required for effective phase one liver detoxification. Vitamin B 6 inhibits the formation of a toxic chemical called homocysteine, which accelerates cardiovascular disease.
Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B 12)
Supplements of this powerful vitamin are essential for those who are strict vegetarians or those with nervous complaints. It is a great energizer of the nervous system and can reduce depression and fatigue. It is required for phase one detoxification of chemicals in the liver, and can help people who are allergic to sulphites, which are common food and wine preservatives. A study showed that vitamin B 12 can effectively block most of the adverse reactions to sulphites such as hay fever, sinusitis, headache and wheezing. B 12 is required for the liver to perform methylation, which inactivates the hormone estrogen and enhances the flow of bile. B 12 is required in increased amounts by those who use alcohol excessively, or in liver disease.
Folic Acid
Is required for the phase one detoxification pathway in the liver and for cell repair and division. Studies have shown that folic acid exerts an anti-cancer effect and is vital for pregnant women.
Biotin
Biotin is one of the B vitamins and is produced in the intestines by friendly bacteria. It is found in foods such as nuts, whole grain foods, vegetables and brewer's yeast, and in supplement form. Liver cells that lack biotin will be deprived of the energy they need to detoxify chemicals and drugs. Deficiency of this vitamin is not rare and can cause hair loss, dry flaky skin, rashes and fatigue. Those with a poor diet, alcoholism or long term antibiotic use are at risk of deficiency.
Inositol
This vitamin is important in fat metabolism, and helps to remove fats from the liver. Deficiency of inositol can increase hardening of the arteries, increase blood cholesterol levels and lead to hair loss, constipation and mood swings. Excessive consumption of caffeine can reduce the level of inositol in the body.
LECITHIN
Lecithin contains healthy fats, which are required for the functional and structural integrity of cell membranes. Lecithin is composed of the B vitamin choline, along with linoleic acid and inositol. A choline deficiency promotes liver damage and can be corrected with lecithin supplements. Choline has shown a protective effect against cirrhosis in animal studies. Lecithin is vital for fat metabolism and allows cholesterol to disperse in watery solutions so that it can be transported around the body to where it is needed, or removed from the body. This reduces the risk of fatty degeneration in arteries and vital organs. It can help those with the condition of fatty liver caused by incorrect diet or alcoholism.
ZINC
The mineral zinc has antioxidant properties and is part of the powerful antioxidant enzyme called superoxide dismutase (SOD). Zinc is vital for the efficient functioning of the cellular immune system needed to fight infections from viruses, parasites and fungal micro-organisms.
ST. MARY'S THISTLE (MILK THISTLE)
See information for St Mary's Thistle above
Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, bok choy, mustard greens and radish, contain important substances such as indoles, thiols and sulphur compounds, which enhance the liver's phase one and two detoxification pathways. Broccoli has a particularly good effect and enhances glutathione conjugation of toxins. There is evidence that cruciferous vegetables are able to reduce the risk of cancer, and the American Cancer Society has been placing large advertisements in magazines with pictures of these vegetables.
Green tea
Green tea exerts strong antioxidant actions and is also able to inhibit cancer cell growth. The Chinese, who are large drinkers of green tea, have a 60% less chance of esophageal cancer. Parts of Japan where people drink a lot of green tea have a lower incidence of many types of cancers, including stomach, esophageal and liver cancer. Green tea may also be of benefit as an aid to weight loss through positive effects on fat and sugar metabolism.
By combining all these ingredients into one liver tonic it becomes more practical, econoomical and convenient that having to take them all individually.
LIVATONE®
LIVATONE® is a natural liver tonic containing the liver herbs St Mary's Thistle, Globe Artichoke and Dandelion, combined with the amino acid Taurine, and Lecithin. It also contains natural sources of Chlorophyll, Carotenoids and fiber. It is available in both capsule and powder form.
The liver is the main fat burning organ in the body and regulates fat and carbohydrate metabolism. A healthy liver will take fat in the form of cholesterol and pump it via the bile into the intestines where it will be carried away in the bowel actions provided the diet is high in fiber. Thus a healthy liver is essential for those who cannot lose weight or those who find that they are gradually gaining weight.
LIVATONE® can be used as a general liver tonic and its benefits include:
- An aid to weight loss and fat burning.
- An aid for those with high blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Assists in the reduction of fluid retention and irritable bowel syndrome.
- As a fiber supplement to reduce constipation and bloating (especially the powder form).
- An aid for digestive problems and gall bladder dysfunction.
- To support general liver function.
Livatone® can be used by people of all ages, including children over 2 years of age. Children under 10 years of age should use the powder dissolved in fruit juice before meals in a dose of 1/4 to 1/3 of a teaspoon twice daily. The dose for adults and children over 10 years of age is one teaspoon of powder twice daily stirred into juice just before meals, or 2 capsules twice daily with water just before meals.
| LIVATONE® contains the following ingredients: |
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Psyllium
Those with sluggish liver function often have difficulty metabolising fats and may have high LDL cholesterol levels. Psyllium can help in such cases. The largest trial ever conducted into the effects of psyllium fiber carried out at the University of Newcastle in Sydney has proven that it is probably the best cholesterol- lowering fiber available. Psyllium is proving a more consistent cholesterol-lowering agent than oat fiber. Psyllium is a plentiful source of soluble fiber, and it is well accepted that soluble fiber has a significant role in the prevention and treatment of elevated cholesterol levels.
Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid which plays several important roles in the body and is an essential component of cell membranes, where it plays a role in stabilizing transport across cell membranes and provides antioxidant protection. Taurine plays a major role in the liver via the formation of bile acids and detoxification. Abnormally low levels of taurine are common in many patients with chemical sensitivities and allergies. Taurine is the major amino acid required for the removal of toxic chemicals and metabolites from the body. Taurine is important for conjugation of drugs and metabolites in the liver via the acylation route. Once conjugated, chemical toxins are removed from the body as a component of bile and also through water-soluble acetates in the urine. Taurine is a key component of bile acids produced in the liver. As bile synthesis utilizes cholesterol, disordered bile synthesis may result in elevated cholesterol. Taurine is the body's main antioxidant defence against production of excess hypochlorite ion and if this is not controlled it will lead to severe aggravation of chemical sensitivity. Impaired body synthesis of taurine will reduce the ability of the liver to detoxify environmental chemicals such as chlorine, chlorite ( bleach ), aldehydes ( produced from alcohol excess ), alcohols, petroleum solvents and ammonia. Taurine deficient persons are likely to have impaired mineral transport across the cell membranes producing imbalances in electrolytes and reduced ability of the liver to remove pollutants via the excretory routes of the bowel and kidneys.
Recent findings are demonstrating that taurine is one of the major nutrients involved in the body's detoxification of harmful substances and drugs and should be considered in the treatment of all chemically sensitive patients. Scientific reference: Orthoplex Research Bulletin --" Taurine the Detoxifying Amino Acid ".
The herb Dandelion
Dandelion is known by herbalists as Taraxacum Officinale and its root has been used for liver and biliary complaints for centuries. Extensive records of its medicinal use exist from the 10th and 11th centuries when it was promoted by famous Arabian doctors. In 16th century Britain it was well established as an official drug of the apothecaries under the name of Herba Taraxacon and was a popular medicinal plant for the liver and digestive organs. Since the 16th century the Germans have used Dandelion extensively for "blood purifying" and liver congestion. It is truly a universal herb and is still found in the official pharmocopoeias of Switzerland, Poland, Hungary and Russia. A huge amount of research has been carried out on the medicinal and nutritional effects of dandelion in many European countries. Dandelion has been used as a herbal medicine for centuries in China, India and Nepal for liver ailments. Today dandelion is used widely as a tonic in North America, the Orient and Europe.
The therapeutic properties of dandelion are due in part to its bitter substances taraxacin and inulin (a bitter glycoside). Other substances in dandelion are taraxanthin, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, levulin, pectin, fatty acids, minerals and vitamins.
Bitters, such as those in dandelion, stimulate the digestive glands and the liver and activate the flow of bile. Although dandelion's specific action is on the liver, it also acts as a general body tonic. It acts as a laxative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, bitter tonic and cholagogue. Its cholagogue effect is useful for liver and gall bladder inflammation and congestion, as well as jaundiced states. It is of use in the early stages of cirrhosis of the liver such as alcoholic cirrhosis.
Professor John King, the American doctor famous for his works on medicinal herbs, recommends dandelion for " weak digestion, loss of appetite, constipation and hepatic ( liver ) torpor ". Its dual liver and kidney action makes dandelion an excellent detoxifying remedy for gout, rheumatism and skin complaints.
The Australian journal Medical Herbalism Vol 3 (4),1991, refers to two studies, which demonstrate the liver healing properties of dandelion. They found that dandelion is helpful for hepatitis, liver swelling, jaundice and indigestion in those with inadequate bile secretion.
The herb Globe Artichoke
Globe artichoke, also known as Cynara scolymus is a bitter tonic with liver-protective and liver-restorative actions. It has also been used as a "blood purifier". During the 1930s clinical studies established its value in lowering blood cholesterol, urea and nitrogen waste products of metabolism. [Reference Rocchietta S: Minerva Med 50,612 (1959)].
It is of use as a liver restorative, in cases of liver insufficiency and damage, liver diseases, poor digestion, gall stones and chronic constipation. In overweight patients it can be used to lower elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. It can be used as a cleanser in cases of skin diseases and excessive body odour.
Slippery Elm Bark
The fine powder made from the bark of the slippery elm tree has a soothing effect upon the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. It produces temporary relief from the excessive acidity and reflux caused by digestive disorders. Slippery elm powder produces a protective lining upon inflamed and ulcerated mucosal surfaces and is thus of use for those with gastritis and stomach and duodenal ulcers. It may be of help in some cases of irritable bowel syndrome.
The herb St Mary's Thistle
St Mary's Thistle is also known as Silybum Marianum or Milk Thistle. St Mary's Thistle has multiple actions; these are liver-protective, liver-regenerative, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
The herb St Mary's Thistle has been used for hundreds of years as a liver tonic and has been studied extensively. The American Journal of Gastroenterology published a clinical review of St Mary's Thistle and found that this herb may be effective in improving a range of liver diseases. These liver diseases included such things as hepatitis induced by viruses, toxins, drugs and alcohol. The term hepatitis means inflammation of the liver cells and is picked up in a blood test which shows elevated levels of the liver enzymes.
The active or therapeutic component of St Mary's Thistle is a bioflavonoid compound called Silymarin. Silymarin is rapidly absorbed from the gut and produces peak blood levels of Silymarin after 1.4 to 2 hours. In the bile maximum levels of Silymarin are found within 2 to 9 hours after ingestion.
| St Mary's Thistle can be used with benefit in the following conditions- |
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Clinical and laboratory studies and tissue examinations, both in humans and animals have found St Mary's Thistle to have beneficial effects in treating all of the above. St Mary's Thistle has been found to reduce toxic fatty degeneration of the liver. In 1969 the renowned phalloidine experiment was carried out by the researchers Vogel and Temme, [Reference Arzneim Forsch 1969; 19:613-615].
During this test St Mary's Thistle was proven to be liver-protective. Phalloidine is extremely toxic to the liver. St Mary's Thistle can block its toxic effects, which indicates that it has powerful liver-protective capability.
Not only is this remarkable herb liver-protective, it has also been found to help liver cells (hepatocytes) repair and regenerate themselves after they have been damaged. St Mary's Thistle contains a flavone which protects some of the intracellular components of liver cells from lipid peroxidation; this protective effect was 10 times more powerful than that of vitamin E.
The powerful detoxification enzymes in the liver that break down drugs and toxic chemicals are called the Cytochrome P450 enzymes. These enzymes are improved by one of the components of St Mary's Thistle called Silibinin.
A 3-month study following 67 patients with chronic hepatitis, toxic liver damage and biliary inflammation found that St Mary's Thistle greatly helped their liver disease. [Reference: Talalaj S. A research paper--Silybum marianum. Sydney: NHAA, 1985].
The same study found that patients with alcoholic cirrhosis had a significantly higher survival rate if treated with St Mary's Thistle.
| Silymarin can exert worthwhile protection of the liver cells (hepatocytes) against the following toxins and drugs – |
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Mechanism of action of Silymarin
Silymarin is thought to exert its liver protective properties via several actions –
1. Antioxidant effect, as it is able to directly scavenge free radicals
2. Increasing the production of antioxidants in the liver such as glutathione and superoxide dismutase
Silymarin is able to speed up the regeneration of healthy liver cells (hepatocytes) after different types of liver damage. Silymarin increases the synthesis of protein by the hepatocytes by its ability to stimulate the activity of ribosomal RNA polymerase. The regenerative effect of Silymarin has been confirmed in several clinical trials. Thirty-six patients with alcohol-induced liver disease were treated with 420mg of silymarin for 6 months in a double-blind clinical trial. This treatment produced improvement in liver function and histology compared to placebo.
There have been many clinical studies examining the role of St Mary's Thistle in the treatment of different liver diseases. Most of the studies involved patients with different types of hepatitis and alcohol-induced liver disease. The doses of Silymarin ranged from 100 to 300mg three times daily. Most commonly Silymarin was given as a standardized 80% extract. In eight of the 11 trials, 8 trials gave positive therapeutic effects for Silymarin, while 3 were no better then placebo. Interestingly Silymarin has also been investigated in diabetic patients with liver disease (fatty cirrhosis). These patients were given 600mg daily of Silymarin for 6 months to see if it could reduce lipo-peroxidation and insulin resistance. After one month of treatment, there was a desirable and maintained drop in blood sugar levels and other parameters of blood sugar control also improved significantly.
Another trial in patients with viral A and B hepatitis showed the ability of Silymarin to normalize levels of bilirubin and the liver enzyme (aminotransferase) compared to placebo. The daily dose of Silymarin used was 420mg daily.
Another trial of patients with hepatitis C showed that Silymarin improved liver function.
| St Mary's Thistle – clinical properties | |
| Indications | As a liver tonic to support liver function Hepatitis due to viral infections, drugs, toxins, chronic inflammatory liver diseases Fatty liver |
| Forms | Tablets, capsules, powdered seeds, tincture, decoction |
| Components found in Silymarin | Flavonolignans such as silychristine, silydianin, and silybin comprise the active substance silymarin. Also contains phytosterols, such as sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, and mucilage. |
| Therapeutic dosage | German Commission recommends daily doses of 200 to 400mg of silymarin for liver disease. The most commonly tested doses, which gave beneficial effects, consisted of 420mg silymarin daily. |
| Cautions: side effects are rare. | There have been occasional reports of nausea, itchy skin (pruritus), headache & hives (urticaria). |
| Interactions | Possible interaction with warfarin. Additive effect with cholesterol lowering drugs may theoretically occur. |
| Mechanism of action of Silymarin | Liver protective, antioxidant, stimulates regeneration of healthy liver cells, anti-inflammatory, gastro-protective, possible cholesterol lowering action. |
The Livatone Plus formula contains the clinically proven dose of Silymarin, which provides 420mg daily of Silymarin.
Improve your liver and bowel function and start losing weight easily!
References on St Mary's Thistle
Valenzuela A, et al. Selectivity of silymarin on the increase of glutathione content in different tissues of the rat. Planta Med 1989;55(5):420-2. Muriel P, Prevention by silymarin of membrane alterations in acute CCL4 liver damage. J Appl Toxicolgy 1990;10(4):275-9. Vogel G, et al. Protection by silibinin against Amanita phalloides intoxication in beagles. Toxicology Appl Pharmacol 1984;73(3):355-62. Saller R, et al. The use of silymarin in the treatment of liver diseases. Drugs 2001;61(14):2035-63.Magliulo E, et al. Results of a double blind study on the effect of silymarin in the treatment of acute viral hepatitis, at two medical centers. Med Klin 1978;73(28-9):1060-5. Flora K, et al. Milk thistle (silybum marianum) for the therapy of liver disease. Amer J Gastroenterol 1998;93(2):139-43. Morazzoni P, Bombardelli E. Silybum Marianum Fitoterapia 1995;66(1).Pares A, et al. Effects of silymarin in alcoholic patients with cirrhosis of the liver: results of a controlled double blind, randomized and muticenter trail. J Hepatol 1998;28(4):615-21.Wellington K, Jarvis B. Silymarin: A review of its clinical properties in the management of hepatic disorders. BioDrugs 2001;15(7):465-89.Sonnenbichler J, et al. Stimulatory effects of silibinin and silicristin from the milk thistle. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1999;290(3):1375-83.Skottova N, et al. Silymarin as a potential hypocholesterolaemic drug. Physiol Res 1998;47(1):1-7.Krecman V, et al. Silymarin inhibits the development of diet-induced hypercholesterolaemia in rats. Planta Med 1998;64(2):138-42. Buzzelli G, et al. A pilot study on the liver protective effect of silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex in chronic active hepatitis. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1993;31(9):456-60. Salmi HA, et al. Scand J Gastroenterol 1982;17(4):517-21. Velussi M, et al. Long-term treatment with an antioxidant drug is effective on hyperinsulinemia, exogenous insulin need and malondialdehyde levels in cirrhotic diabetic patients. J Hepatology 1997;26(4):871-9. Hepatolgy 2000;32(5):897-900. Trinchet JC, et al. Treatment of alcoholic hepatitis with silymarin. A double-blind comparative study in 116 patients. Gastroenterol Clin Biol 1989;13(2):120-4. Ferenci P, et al. Randomised controlled trial of silymarin treatment in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. J Hepatology 1989;9(1):105-13 .
"THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FDA AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT OR CURE ANY DISEASES"