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Consuming alcoholic beverages results in the generation of free radicals. People who drink a lot of alcohol often suffer because of massive free radical-induced cellular damage. Alcohol-induced free radical assault can wreak short-term havoc throughout the body, and these same damaging free radicals are associated with accelerated aging.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been associated with acute ethanol-induced liver damage. A study published in the journal Artery confirmed a specific toxic metabolite of alcohol (acetaldehyde) and identified an antidote (N-acetyl-L-cysteine): “All known pathways of ethanol metabolism result in the production of acetaldehyde, a highly reactive compound. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an analogue of the dietary amino acid cysteine, binds acetaldehyde, thus preventing its damaging effect on physiological proteins.”55 NAC is a glutathione precursor and direct antioxidant. Pretreatment with or co-administration of NAC helps to inhibit acute ethanol-induced liver damage via counteracting ethanol-induced oxidative stress.56,57 NAC also attenuates the progression of the abnormal retention of lipids within liver cells by decreasing development of oxidative stress and subsequent increases in TNF-alpha.
Thus, when people are exposed to a known toxic substance such as alcohol, it makes perfect sense to take a proven antidote — namely, antioxidants.
Anti-Alcohol Antioxidants with HepatoProtection Complex is an improved formula containing additional antioxidants designed to suppress free radicals, neutralize toxic alcohol metabolites such as acetaldehyde,58-61 and support healthy liver function. In addition to vitamin B1, vitamin C, N-acetyl-L-cysteine and benfotiamine, this formula’s HepatoProtection Complex provides therapeutic doses of these novel antioxidants:
- Chlorophyllin — an agent that protects the body from oxidative stress62-64
- Leucoselect® grapeseed extract, silymarin (from milk thistle), and resveratrol — three hepatoprotective agents that aid in reducing compounds from potentially toxic xenobiotics and protecting cells from free radical-induced oxidative stress65-67
- Picroliv® Picrorhiza kurroa root extract — contains antioxidant kutkin that scavenges alcohol-induced excess free radicals and stimulates regeneration of cells (hepatocytes)68
Taking the proper supplements before and after drinking can substantially protect liver cells from the free-radical damaging effects of alcohol consumption. |