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OK, ready for some information overload? LOL! Here's what I'm currently taking to help keep my GS symptoms at bay. The same thing doesn't work for everyone, but these vitamins & supplements (along with diet, of course!) seem to help me (description of each are a bit farther down the page). If you're considering adding any of these to your daily routine, you may want to ask your doctor first (that's my "CYA" disclaimer-LOL!).
Royal Jelly 2000 mg; one each morning
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) 600 mg; one each morning
Trimethylglycine (TMG) 750 mg; one each morning and evening
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) 300 mg; one each morning and evening
Dandelion Root 525 mg; one each evening
Tumeric 600 mg; one each morning
B-6 (2mg), Folic Acid (800 mcg) & B-12 (1000 mcg); one each morning
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) 1000 mg; one each morning
Taurine 500 mg; one each morning and evening
Vitamin C 500 mg; two each morning and two each evening
Multi-Vitamin (one that doesn't contain niacinamide!)
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC): Cysteine is a sulphur containing amino acid and is a major component of glutathione. Supplementing cysteine boosts levels of this important 'master antioxidant'. Cysteine is one of the best free radical destroyers and helps to detoxify harmful toxins in the body and also binds to potentially harmful heavy metals, removing them from the body. Clinical studies have shown that pretreatment with NAC before parecetomol overdose protects liver cells and maintains glutathione levels. Treatment after overdose raises glutathione levels to normal and prevents further liver cell damage. Excessive levels of toxins from the environment and from gut dysbiosis and leaky gut syndrome can lead to depletion of cysteine. This in turn leads to depletion of glutathione and allows free radicals and other toxins to get into the bloodstream un-neutralized, causing damage to tissues. In these instances cysteine levels can be raised by supplementation, indeed any treatment aimed at restoring liver function should include cysteine. The best form to supplement is n-acetyl-cysteine as this has been shown to increase glutathione levels in the body more than cysteine and even glutathione itself. Typical doses are 500-1500mg per day in divided doses.
TMG (found in brocolli & beets)-reduces bilirubin by increasing liver enzyme function and increases production of SAMe. (which is very useful in liver disease and in osteoarthritis it has been shown to stimulate cartilage regeneration). And TMG is considerably less expensive than SAMe!
Alpha Lipoic Acid is a sulphurous fatty acid that was originally classified as a vitamin until it was discovered that it could be synthesized in the human body. Sometimes referred to as 'thioctic acid' it is often described as the universal antioxidant due to the fact that it is active in both the water and fat based regions of cells unlike other antioxidants like vitamin C which is only water soluble and vitamin E which is only fat soluble. As well as being a particularly powerful antioxidant in its own right, directly neutralizing free radicals, alpha lipoic acid also plays a role in recycling other important antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, glutathione and Coenzyme Q1016. This 'universal antioxidant' has been shown to be effective in the treatment of a number of serious diseases, most notably diabetes, liver disorders and neuropathies. Alpha lipoic acid comes in 50-600mg capsules or tablets. 600mg per day or more is recommended for liver disorders
Dandelion root acts as a blood purifier that helps both the kidneys and the liver to remove toxins and poisons from the blood. Clinical studies have shown dandelion to have protective effects against lipid peroxidation and free radicals, both damaging products of a poorly functioning liver. It contains a wealth of nutrients important to liver function, especially the B vitamins. It cleanses the liver and increases the production of bile. Dandelion is often used as a herbal treatment for all liver diseases of the liver including hepatitis, cirrhosis and jaundice.
Tumeric promotes healthy liver function. Traditional Chinese physicians used turmeric medically to treat liver and gallbladder problems.
B-6/Folic Acid/B-12
The B vitamins are all essential for healthy liver function (B6 helps Taurine detox the liver). They are required for the formation of a huge number of enzymes including the P450 Cytochrome enzymes which are the basis of the phase 1 liver detoxification pathways. These B vitamin containing enzymes initiate the first part of the detoxification process before glutathione and the other phase 2 enzymes deal with the products of this. When the toxic load on the liver is increased the P450 enzymes tend to become more active which means the requirement for B vitamins increases. It is therefore easy to see how with a constantly increased toxic load from gut derived toxins and/or environmental exposures can lead to B vitamin deficiencies. The B vitamins should be taken together as they are synergistic. A capsule form is often sufficient.
MSM (best to take 1:1 ratio with vitamin C) is a form of organic sulfur and has a wide range of health benefits when taken as a supplement. It is important for liver function as many liver detoxification pathways depend upon sulfur based enzymes. MSM also has the ability to reduce inflammation. Also of importance is the fact that if sufficient MSM is available in the body it forms a protective barrier over mucus membranes. In this way it prevents allergic reactions by trapping allergens such as pollen in the respiratory tract and poorly digested food particles in the intestines.
Taurine is a unique amino acid in that it is not incorporated into proteins and enzymes. Instead it is essential for the formation of bile in the liver and acts as a potent detoxifier and antioxidant throughout the body. Alcohol and aldehydes are known to decrease levels of taurine in the liver and it is thought that this is because taurine is used up in protecting liver cells from damage due to these and other toxins. Many doctors and nutritionists recommend 500mg twice a day. Taurine typically comes in 500mg capsules.
Royal Jelly is said to boost liver health (contains all of the B vitamins, as well as protein). More info here:
