Detoxification has long been an important naturopathic concept. The idea of detoxification has recently become more mainstream and many health conscious individuals have recognized its value. Since the liver is the largest abdominal organ, filters the blood, and is the chemical factory of the body, it is the logical organ to consider when detoxification or simply supporting general health is a concern. Many Asian and Western natural health professionals believe that liver support is also what should be done when they are not sure what should be done.

Of course, detoxification should not be limited to the use of Food supplements. Avoiding toxins such as nicotine, caffeine, additives, and environmental pollutants should also be considered. For most people, increasing their consumption of raw fruits and vegetables, while decreasing consumption of processed foods should also be done.

Beet leaf and root provide fiber and “is used as supportive therapy in diseases of the liver and fatty liver” [1]. It is believed that this is probably due to the fact that beet contains betaine [1]. Betaine is a metabolite of choline [2]. “Beets have been known to aid in lymphatic function and to stimulate gall bladder and liver function. This is especially important when detoxifying the body, as these organs are the primary avenues of detoxification” [3].

Bovine Liver supplies liver tissue. “The basic functions of the liver can be divided into (1) its vascular functions for storage and filtration of the blood, (2), its metabolic functions concerned with the majority of the metabolic systems of the body, (3) its secretory and excretory functions…About 1100 milliliters of bloods flows from the portal vein and into the liver sinusoids each minute, and about an additional 350 milliliters flows into the sinusoids from the hepatic artery” [4]. The liver thus partially detoxifies the equivalent of all the blood in the body several times per hour. The liver contains Kupffer cells, which are large macrophages that can efficiently cleanse the blood of various bacteria [4]. The liver can expand and can regenerate its own tissue. The liver is also involved in blood sugar regulation. “Gluconeogensis in the liver is also concerned with maintaining a normal blood glucose concentration” [4]. The liver also stores vitamins A, B-12, & D as well as iron. “The active chemical medium of the liver is well known for its ability to detoxify or excrete into bile many drugs including sulfonamides, pencillin, ampicillin, and erythromycin” [4]. Liver damage can occur when excess steroids or other substances accumulate in the liver [4]. Although humans have long consumed bovine liver and other glands, this has decreased in recent years, thus the nutritional benefits from these glands is now more often accomplished through the use of supplements. The liver tissue in Liva DeTox & Support is from New Zealand.

Bovine Spleen supplies spleen tissue. The spleen is the body’s largest lymphatic organ. “The pulp of the spleen contains many large reticuloendothial cells, and the venous sinuses are lined with similar cells. These cells act as a cleansing system for the blood, acting in concert with a similar system in the venous sinsuses of the liver. When the blood is invaded by infectious agents, the reticuloendothial cells of the spleen rapidly remove debris, bacteria, parasites, and so forth. Also, in many infectious processes, the spleen enlarges in the same manner that lymph glands enlarge and then performs its cleansing function even more adequately” [4]. Part of the blood-cleansing function of the spleen is the removal of old or weak cells [4]. The spleen tissue in Liva DeTox & Support is from New Zealand.

“Garlic is used internally as an adjuvant to dietetic measures for elevated lipid levels. The herb is also used for prevention of age-related vascular changes and arteriosclerosis”. “Garlic contains compounds that help prevent nitrites—common substances found in foods as well as a variety of every day pollutants—from transforming themselves into nitrosamines, harmful compounds that can trigger cancerous changes in the body” [5]. Garlic has anti-oxidant effects which means it can reduce toxicity associated free-radical damage. “Garlic contains the trace elements germanium and selenium, which have been thought to play a role in improving host immunity and ‘normalizing’ the oxygen utilization in neoplastic cells” [6]. Garlic componds have been found to inhibit lipid peroxidation, which “is considered to be one of the main features of aging in liver cells” [6].

Milk thistle in Liva DeTox & Support is 80% silymarin. Silymarin’s constituents include silibinin, dehydrosilibinin, silychristin and silydianin. “The hepatoprotective activity of the seed is from silymarin, in particular silychristin and silydianin. The compounds seem to inhibit the entrance of toxins and block toxin-binding sites through alteration of the liver’s outer membrance…Milk Thistle herb…is used for toxic liver damage, adjunctive treatment in chronic inflamatory liver disease and hepatic cirrhosis” [1]. Silymarin constituents have been shown to have chemoprotective and other positive effects in animals [7]. Animal studies show that silymarin combinations have helped mental, behaviorial, and social development for those exposed to ethanol in-utero [8]. Silymarin has also been found to be protective against UV-radiation [9]. Silymarin has been found to retard the progression of alcohol-induced hepatic fibrosis in baboons [10]. “Silibinin is a flavonoid antioxidant and wildly used for its antihepatotoxic properties and recent studies have revealed pleiotropic anticancer and antiproliferative capabilities of silibinin” [11]. It has been suggested that silibin has s ynergistic anti-cancer effects when combined with conventional cytotoxic agents doxorubicin, cisplatin and carboplatin against human breast carcinoma [12]. A recent study found, “Silymarin significantly diminished FB(1)-induced elevation of plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities and the number of apoptotic hepatocytes, while it augmented hepatocyte proliferation indicated by an increase in proliferating cells. Silymarin dramatically potentiated FB(1)-induced accumulation of free sphinganine and sphingosine in both liver and kidney. Silymarin itself slightly increased expression of hepatic TNF-alpha; however, it prevented the FB(1)-induced increases in TNF-alpha, TNF receptor 1, TNF receptor-associated apoptosis-inducing ligand, lymphotoxin beta, and interferon gamma. The induction of transforming growth factor beta1 expression in liver following FB(1) treatment was not affected by silymarin. These findings suggest that silymarin protected against FB(1) liver damage by inhibiting biological functions of free sphingoid bases and increasing cellular regeneration” [13].

“P-glycoprotein (Pgp) is a 170 kDa phosphorylated glycoprotein encoded by human MDR1 gene. It is responsible for the systemic disposition of numerous structurally and pharmacologically unrelated lipophilic and amphipathic drugs, carcinogens, toxins, and other xenobiotics in many organs, such as the intestine, liver, kidney, and brain” [14] silymarin from milk thistle has been shown to inhibit Pgp [14], which may explain some of how it helps the body detoxify.

The 100% Food Liva DeTox & Support formulacontains the herbs and glandulars that can help both support the liver and help the body detoxify. Combined with correct lifestyle choices, Liva DeTox & Support can be an important part of many detoxification programs.

Unlike many so-called “natural” formulas, Liva DeTox & Support is only comprised of foods, contains no synthetic USP nutrients or isolated mineral salts, but only contains foods, food complexes, and food concentrates.  Studies indicate that food nutrients ARE better than isolated USP nutrients and MAY BE better absorbed retained, and utilized than USP nutrients.

Suggested use: 1-9 tablets per day or as recommended by your health care professional.  Adjust usage according to nutritional lifestyle requirements.

No Synthetic Nutrients * No Dairy * No Preservatives

Liva DeTox & Support Video

References