Nutritional and Supplemental Protection

Discussion in 'Opiates' started by RELAYER, Jan 20, 2009.

  1. RELAYER

    RELAYER mādhyamaka

    Messages:
    17,642
    Likes Received:
    7
    "People who take acetaminophen and OTC NSAIDs regularly should be aware that these drugs can cause liver and kidney toxicity. When you are taking these drugs, it is a good idea to provide antioxidant support to the liver and kidneys to protect them from the oxidant by-products caused by their metabolism.
    Supplements that can be consumed in conjunction with acetaminophen include antioxidants such as selenium, vitamins E and C, alpha-lipoic acid, and nutrients such as S-adenosyl-L-methionine and NAC, which increase levels of glutathione. In addition, milk thistle extract has been shown to protect the liver and is widely used for degenerative liver diseases such as cirrhosis, which, like acetaminophen overdose, is associated with decreased levels of liver antioxidants.
    NAC. NAC, an amino acid derivative, is part of the body’s natural antioxidant system. It is the established conventional treatment for acetaminophen overdose because it can protect glutathione supplies in the case of a toxic acetaminophen event. When converted to cysteine, NAC is the key precursor to biosynthesis of glutathione (Faintuch J et al 1999).
    Vitamin E. Like the other antioxidants, vitamin E (tocopherol) becomes deficient due to lack of glutathione or vitamin C (Marcus R et al 2001). Infusions of vitamin E become necessary when glutathione levels drop (Faintuch J et al 1999). To treat acetaminophen toxicity, pretreatment with vitamin E (30 mg/kg) combined with melatonin (10 mg/kg) was just as effective at fighting free radicals and reducing oxidative damage to the liver as NAC (150 mg/kg) (Sener G et al 2003). Vitamin E, along with vitamin C, also helps prevent NSAID-induced gastric injury by counteracting lipid peroxidation in the gastrointestinal tract.
    Vitamin C. Like vitamin E, vitamin C becomes deficient once glutathione levels are reduced. Infusions of vitamin C are also necessary to combat lowered glutathione levels occurring from toxic substances that affect liver function, such as acetaminophen (Faintuch J et al 1999).
    Vitamin C also induces a protective stomach enzyme (heme-oxygenase-1, or HO-1) that declines after toxic exposure to NSAIDs. HO-1, a vasodilating agent with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, counteracts poor circulation and NSAID-induced gastric injury associated with release of free radicals (Becker JC et al 2004).
    Polyenylphosphatidylcholine (PPC) .PPC is a soy extract and has been shown to protect the liver against toxicity from acetaminophen. PPC also offers a powerful protective effect to the mucosa, or stomach lining. NSAIDs are known to decrease the protective mucosa, which makes the stomach lining vulnerable to injury and ulceration (Anand BS et al 1999). PPC has been shown to improve the gastric tolerance of ibuprofen by protecting the stomach wall (Leyck S et al 1985).
    Whey. Whey, a serum protein representing 20 percent of milk, has a high concentration of the amino acid cysteine, enabling it to act as a potent antioxidant in the liver and a key rate-limiting precursor to glutathione levels.
    Milk thistle. Silybum marianum, commonly known as milk thistle, has been a treatment for liver diseases for more than 2000 years (Flora K et al 1998). As an antioxidant, silymarin (milk thistle’s active constituents) reduces free radical production and lipid peroxidation in the liver and slows glutathione depletion (Basaga H et al 1997). In laboratory rats, silymarin significantly reduced hepatic necrosis caused by toxic doses of acetaminophen and protected liver cell membranes exposed to an array of hepatotoxins (Muriel P et al 1992; Davila JC et al 1989; Shear NH et al 1995)."
    - (as quoted by : jo k er man)
     
  2. jo_k_er_man

    jo_k_er_man TBD

    Messages:
    23,622
    Likes Received:
    91
    awesome.. thank you
     
  3. RELAYER

    RELAYER mādhyamaka

    Messages:
    17,642
    Likes Received:
    7
    No problem :D
     
  4. Dillygirl

    Dillygirl Member

    Messages:
    572
    Likes Received:
    1
    I think there's a new person on this site that needs to read this. What with their Tylenol intake and all.

    Just sayin'.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice