Liver Support Formula
Ingredient Rationale

A proprietary blend of artichoke (Cynara Floridanum) and sarsaparilla (Smilax Aristolochiaefolia) that contains the following naturally occurring bioflavonoids and polyphenols: silymarin, quercetin, catechin, hesperidin, rutin, cynarin and chlorogenic acid. Bioflavonoids are a class of water-soluble plant pigments (colors) that have anti-inflammatory antihistaminic and anti-viral properties. Health professionals formulated The Liver Support System specifically for detoxifying the liver and gall bladder and supporting each of their functions.

Included Bioflavonoids

1. Silymarin
Numerous clinical studies have shown silymarin to be among the most powerful natural agents available for the prevention and treatment of liver damage caused by exposure to human-made chemicals including alcohol induced liver degeneration and cirrhosis.

2. Quercetin
Quercetin is a bioflavonoid with antioxidant effects. It is used for the prevention of atherosclerosis hypercholesterolemia (excess cholesterol in the blood) and coronary heart disease. It can inhibit carcinogenesis and reduce capillary fragility. Quercetin is used extensively in the treatment of athletic injuries, because it relieves pain and bruising and acts synergistically with Vitamin C to protect and preserve the structure of capillaries. It also promotes circulation lowers cholesterol levels and treats and prevents cataracts. Quercetin fights cancer, diabetes, capillary fragility and arthritis; stabilizes membranes; protects against heart disease and allergies; normalizes blood pressure; helps lowers cholesterol; and slows aging.

3. Catechin
Catechin, another naturally occurring flavonoid, is similar in effect to silymarin. Catechin is a powerful anti-oxidant that helps prevent free radical oxidative damage to cells. It also helps in the treatment and prevention of alcohol and chemical-induced liver disease or damage. Catechin is also valuable for its ability to neutralize intestinal toxins and assist in the stabilization of cell membranes.

4. Hesperidin
Hesperidin has been shown to be useful in clinical trials as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory.

5. Rutin
An antioxidant bioflavonoid, free radical scavenger, and an iron-chelator. It is used as a vascular protector for reducing capillary fragility, permeability and bleeding; as a treatment for varicose vein symptoms; and as preventive for stroke (the sudden rupture or clotting/blockage of a blood vessel to the brain). Some studies show that Rutin offers protection from damage induced by asbestos, the cytotoxic effects of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and gastric injury from ethanol. It also offers some protection against DNA damage caused by hepatocarcinogens. Rutin is used extensively in the treatment of athletic injuries because it relieves pain and bruises and acts synergistically with Vitamin C to protect and preserve the structure of capillaries. It also promotes circulation, lowers cholesterol levels, and treats and prevents cataracts.

6. Cynarin
Cynarin assists in the detoxification of the liver and gall bladder. It also supports the function of these two important organs while and assists in their regeneration following damage. Cynarin stimulates the clearance of bile from the liver, preventing congestion in the liver and thus diminishing the chances of liver damage.

7. Sarsaparilla
Sarsaparilla has been used in the treatment of the following conditions: gout, arthritis, digestive disorders, skin diseases and cancer. Sarsaparilla contains saponins, which are steroid-like agents that bind with toxins in the digestive tract. Historically sarsaparilla has been used as a 'blood purifier' and a general tonic for diseases associated with increased endotoxin levels, including arthritis, intestinal ulcerative conditions, eczema and psoriasis.

The tonic effect of sarsaparilla is the result of its ability to stimulate the removal of accumulated waste products from the cells, blood and lymph. These actions tend to increase the health of the entire body and increase vitality, thereby increasing energy and endurance.

8. Chlorogenic Acid (16%)
Chlorogenic Acid is a naturally occurring, water soluble, phenolic acid that is a potent anti-oxidant, carcinogenic inhibitor and protector against lipid peroxidation and free radical mediated cell injury.

AUTISM AND DETOXIFICATION

Might autistic children be the proverbial "canaries in the coal mine" whose nervous systems are more susceptible to the impact of toxic heavy metals in the environment incurring neurological damage even at low exposure levels? One recent study found that in one group of 18 autistic children 16 had blood levels of toxic heavy metals and chemicals exceeding adult maximum tolerance. This build-up of toxins may not arise simply from excessive exposure but from a marked inability to process and eliminate toxins from the body. Indeed when the children were assessed using a biochemical analysis to gauge the body's ability to detoxify substances researchers found that every child showed out-of-range results suggesting a defect in this two-phase detoxification process. (Reason Extreme Health's Liver Support Formula is important.) Researchers explained that such a mechanism could lead to a backup of toxic heavy metals and chemical toxins with increased free radical activity in the body. Since the blood-brain barrier of children is still not fully developed these toxic and oxidized molecules could penetrate into regions of the brain and damage neutrons receptors synapses enzymes and cell mitochondria and also set off auto immune reactions triggering further damage.

According to other studies autistic children may have problems metabolizing and detoxifying certain compounds due to an impaired biochemical process called sulfation. Sulfation plays an important role in the second phase of the detoxification process. (Reason Extreme Health's Liver Support Formula is important.) Impaired sulfation could make autistic children more vulnerable to multiple heavy metal and chemical sensitivities. It may also help explain an exacerbation of behavioral problems after children eat foods containing phenol tyramine and phenyl compounds which are normally neutralized through the sulfation process.

Much concern has been raised over the link between exposure to heavy metal toxins and neurological brain damage associated with learning and behavior disorders in children. Indeed research shows that exposure to heavy metals such as lead mercury and antimony can impair brain development at very early ages even at low doses previously deemed "harmless." Children are particularly susceptible to the deleterious effects of heavy metal exposure for several reasons. First their developing nervous systems are more sensitive. Second their bodies absorb toxins more rapidly yet clear them from the system more slowly than from adults.(Reason Extreme Health's Liver Support Formula is important.) Finally a child's blood-brain barrier the natural protective mechanism which blocks harmful substances from entering and damaging the brain is not yet fully formed.

Many professionals working in the field of autism have expressed concern that some autistic children were exposed to potentially damaging levels of ethylmercury which is a preservative used in certain vaccinations. Clinical neurobehavioral symptoms of mercury poisoning seem to parallel closely many common symptoms of autism. In response to pressure from the FDA the U.S. Public Health Service and other regulatory health agencies vaccine manufacturers have since worked to reduce or eliminate the use of ethylmercury as a preservative in many vaccines.

In addition several studies have associated high lead levels in children with autism. Elevated levels of lead in hair - signify long-term toxic exposure to this heavy metal - were correlated with increased behavior abnormalities and learning disorders in children. Based on clinicians' observations antimony a potential toxin found in some fire retardant materials is also a possible cause for concern.

Nutritional balance and healthy metabolism are also very important. Dr. Lynn Wecker and his colleagues at Louisiana State Medical Centre observe that trace element imbalances in the human body can disrupt neurotransmitter function and produce marked changes in behavior; many of which are consistent with symptoms of autism. For this reason Dr. Wecker and his team evaluated trace element concentrations in the hair of autistic children. They found clear deficiencies of calcium, copper, zinc, and chromium that were so striking that they allowed them to discriminate between autistic children and healthy controls with a high degree of accuracy using just test results. Deficiencies of mineral nutrients can make a child more susceptible to heavy metal absorption. Magnesium deficiencies associated with attention-deficit disorder and hyperactivity may also be clinically significant in autism. Extreme Health's Liver Support Formula radically improves liver metabolism and promotes the detoxification of the liver and the body.

REFERENCES:

Accardo P Whitman B Caul J Rolfe U. Autism and plumbism. A possible association. Clinical Pediatric 1988; 27(1):41-4.

Alberti A Pirrone P Elia M Waring RH Romano C. Sulphation deficit in "low-functioning" autistic children: a pilot study. Biol Psychiatry 1999;46(3):420-4.

Cohen DJ Johnson WT Caparulo BK. Pica and elevated blood lead level in autistic and atypical children. Am J Dis Child 1976;130(1):47-48.

Edelson SB Cantor DS. Autism: Xenobiotic influences. Toxicology and industrial health 1998;14(4):553-563.

Emory E Pattillo D Archibald E Byroh M Sung F. Neurobehavioral effects of low-level lead exposure in human neonates. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:S2-S11.

Eufemia P Celli M Finocchiaro R Pacifico L Viozzi L Zaccagnini M Cardi E Giardini O. Abnormal intestinal permeability in children with autism. Acta Paediatr 1996:85(9):1076-9.

Goodwin MS Cowen MA Goodwin TC. Malabsorption and cerebral dysfunction: a multivariate and comparative study of autistic children. J Autism Child Schizophr 1971; 1:48-62.

Halsey NA. Limiting infant exposure to thimerosal in vaccines and other sources of mercury. JAMA. 199 Nov 10;282(18):1763-6.

Horvath K Papadimitriou JC Rabsztyn A Drachenberg C Tildon JT. Gastrointestinal abnormalities in children with autistic disorder. J. Pediatr 1999; 135:559-63.

Kozielec T Starobrat-Hermelin B. Assessment of magnesium levels in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Magnes Res; 1997 Jun; 10(2):143-8.

Lanphear BP Dietrich K Auinger P Cox C. Subclinical lead toxicity in U.S. children and adolescents [abstract#894]. APS/SPR Joint Meeting; 2000 May 12-16;

Boston MA. McFadden SA. Phenotypic variation in xenobiotic metabolism and adverse environmental response: focus on sulfur-dependent detoxification pathways. Toxicology 1996;111 (1-3):43-65.

Shannon M Graef Jw. Lead intoxication in children with pervasive developmental disorders. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1996;34(2):177-81.

Tuthill RW. Hair lead levels related to children's classroom attention-deficit behavior. Arch Enciron Health 1996;(3):214-220.

Wecker L Miller SB Cochran SR Dugger DL Johnson WD. Trace element concentrations in hair from autistic children. J Ment Defic Res 1985; 15-22.

Wilson MA Johnston MV Goldstein GW Blue ME. Neonatal lead exposure impairs development of rodent barrel field cortex. PNAS 2000; 97(10):5540-5545.