Liver / Kidney Detox
DETOXIFY THE MAJOR BODY SYSTEMS
Although detoxification takes place in a number of body systems, the kidneys and the liver are the major glands responsible for detoxification. The principal organ, being the liver, is your body’s primary defense against toxins that enter the bloodstream. Eventually, everything that has passed through the blood and other lymphatic tissues will travel through one or both of these glands. When functioning properly, they allow our body to eliminate impurities from the system, allowing for better utilization and production of hormones and body chemicals, improved energy levels and resistance and recovery from infections and disease.
In additon to filtering and detoxifying the blood, the liver contributes to the body’s anabolic and catabolic functions that is, the reformation or building of new cells, tissues, and organs, and its opposite, the breakdown of cellular structure. The liver also functions as a storage for glycogen, a stored form of glucose. The astonishing capacities of the liver make it among the most functionally important organs in the body. It performs hundreds of different functions involving decontamination and recycling substances within the body.
These functions include the following:
• Detoxifies chemicals from the environment
• Converts ammonia to urea
• Converts carbohydrates and proteins to fats
• Breaks down proteins
• Eliminates bilirubin
• Filters and detoxifies blood
• Forms ketones (waste products of partially metabolized fat) and phospholipids (fat molecules) from fatty acids
• Forms lipoproteins
• Metabolizes drugs
• Metabolizes hormones
• Produces bile salts
• Produces lymphatic fluid
• Stores glycogen and converts it to glucose for fuel
• Stores vitamins A, D, B12, and the mineral Iron
• Synthesizes cholesterol and enzymes
• Synthesizes blood-clotting factors
• Synthesizes plasma proteins (including globulin needed for antibody formation)
The goal of liver detoxification is to make compounds more water soluble and able to be excreted. This function is very dependent on adequate nutrient status. The first phase of liver detoxification deals with a group of 50 or so mixed function oxidative enzymes in the cytochrome P-450 system. These enzymes work primarily by oxidizing, or breaking down, toxins that effect our bodies. The second phase relies primarily on a biochemical process known as conjugation. Conjugation involves the binding of a toxin with a substance that makes it water soluble. Once it is water soluble, it can be excreted from the body. There are several different conjugating substances used during this process, the most important of which is the antioxidant
glutathione.
Glutathione is a very short protein chain (tripeptide which contains three amino acids) consisting of L-glutamic acid, L-cysteine, and glycine. Glutathione is an important antioxidant used by every cell in the body. In the presence of oxidative substances, glutathione is readily oxidized and in this manner protects cellular proteins from free radical damage.
In the liver, glutathione conjugates by combining its own sulfur group with toxins, creating water soluble
compounds that are excreted in the urine. Without adequate glutathione, the liver loses an important
arsenal of antioxidant capabilities and free radical damage increases in the body.
Glutathione is depleted by alcohol, fungal toxins, pesticides, nutrient deficiencies, and levels appear to
decrease with age. Food sources of glutathione include fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and meat. The body
synthesizes glutathione from methionine, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), and glycine. Two other supplements
that can significantly increase glutathione levels are milk thistle and alpha lipoic acid. Milk thistle’s liver
protective action is mainly due to its antioxidant capacity, which helps maintain glutathione levels in the body. Alpha lipoic acid is a glutathione boosting antioxidant and anti-aging nutrient.
COMPLIMENTARY INGREDIENTS FOR LIVER AND KIDNEY SUPPORT AND DETOXIFICATION
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
NAC is a sulfur-containing amino acid that stimulates the production of glutathione, the chief detoxifying molecule in the body.
Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale)
Dandelion is regarded as a "kidney tonic”, a substance
believed to support the kidneys in an unspecified way.
It is also high in potassium which also makes it supporting to the kidneys.
Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)
Milk thistle is an essential detoxifying agent that supports liver function and acts as an antioxidant. It is beneficial to the liver because silymarin, the active component of the herb, inhibits liver damage and stimulates the growth of new liver cells to replace damaged cells. Milk thistle also protects liver cells from damage due to environmental exposure, as well as from drug use.
Schisandra Berry (Schisandra chinensis)
Schisandra is an herb with liver protective abilities that were first used in Chinese medicine. It is used as an agent for kidney support and as an adptogen.
Phyllanthus (Phyllanthus niuri, amarus, urinaria)
Phyllanthus is an herb that was first used in ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, and has more recently become popular for liver support. It appears to reduce viral replication and may have particular value in people with hepatitis. This herb has been used in clinical situations where a little added protection for the liver is necessary, and is recommended to use along with milk thistle.
Uva Ursi Leaf (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
Uva Ursi contains diuretic chemicals, including ursolic acid, powerful astringents, and a chemical that helps promote the growth of healthy new cells, allatoin. In addition to its antiseptic and astringent actions, Uva Ursi may help to flush out bacteria by promoting urination. It has been used to reduce the accumulation of uric acid and relieve pain of bladder stones. The diuretic action may relieve the bloating feeling associated with menstruation.
Bupleurum Root (Bupleurum chinensis)
Bupleurum is not a tonic herb, but it is useful in the tonic system because of its ability to relieve liver tension and digestive disturbances, and because it is detoxifying and anti-microbial. Bupleurum has the ability, when combined with other herbs to clear stagnation virtually anywhere in the body.
VINCO’S LIVER/KIDNEY DETOX
Our Liver/Kidney Detox contains complimentary agents for liver and kidney support and detoxification. We start with N-acetyl cysteine, or NAC, to synthesize the production of glutathione which is an important antioxidant that is used by every cell of the body. In the liver, the glutathione then conjugates with toxins making them water soluble which are excreted through the urine.
We then use the herbs milk thistle, schisandra berry, phyllanthus, and dandelion leaf to compliment the NAC by assisting with added antioxidant support, inhibition of new cell growth, filtering of toxins, and overall general support.
Finally, we added uva-ursi, and bupleurum root for additional assistance in the flushing out of the toxins. These herbs have been shown to be beneficial is relieving pressure and/or tension, and promoting urination.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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