Fatty Liver Disease and Milk Histle

Treatment options for fatty liver are problematic and often have serious side-effects. The treatment can be worse than the disease. Many doctors counsel "watchful waiting" for many of their patients. They may wait until the disease has progressed to the point that heroic measures are necessary. Patients need effective treatments with a low incidence of side-effects. Milk thistle may be such a treatment.

Recently researchers have examined the effects of plants used traditionally by homeopathic healers and herbalists to support liver function and treat diseases of the liver. In most cases, research has confirmed traditional experience and wisdom by discovering the mechanisms and modes of action of these plants as well as reaffirming the therapeutic effectiveness of certain plants or plant extracts in clinical studies. Milk thistle has been fairly well researched. Milk thistle is currently the most well researched plant in the treatment of liver disease (with over 450 published peer review papers).

How Does Milk Thistle Work?

The active constituents of milk thistle are flavonolignans including silybin, silydianin, and silychristine, collectively known as silymarin. Silybin is the component with the greatest degree of biological activity, and milk thistle extracts are usually standardized to contain 70-80 percent silybin. Silymarin is found in the entire plant but is concentrated in the fruit and seeds. Silybum seeds also contain betaine (a proven liver tissue protector) and essential fatty acids, which may contribute to silymarin's anti-inflammatory effect.

Milk Thistle And Liver Disease

Many studies have demonstrated the beneficial hepatoprotective effects of treatment with silymarin. In a Finnish military hospital study on consecutive patients with elevated serum liver enzymes (mostly due to ethanol ingestion), 420 mg/day silymarin was found to significantly lower liver enzymes - aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine amino-transferase (ALT) - after four weeks. Histologic examination of liver biopsies also demonstrated a statistically significant improvement. [ 1 ]

In an Italian study of 20 patients with chronic active hepatitis, 240 mg/day of silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex for only seven days was found to significantly lower serum liver enzymes - AST, ALT, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin. [ 2 ]

In a Hungarian study of 36 patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease, 420 mg/day of silymarin resulted in a normalization in serum liver enzymes (AST, ALT, GGT), total bilirubin, and an improvement in the histological examination of liver biopsies after six months of treatment. In addition, procollagen III peptides (a marker of active fibrosis) were found to be significantly decreased in the treatment group. [ 3 ]

In an Austrian study involving 170 patients with liver cirrhosis, 420 mg/day of silymarin for an average of 41 months resulted in a significant improvement in survival (58% in silymarin-treated patients and 39% in the placebo group (P = 0.036)). No side-effects of silymarin were noted in this study [ 4 ] or in others cited above.

Additional Information: Read an informative pamphlet about unique herbal formula that has antioxidant and bile flow enhancing properties which combine to protect and stimulate the body’s normal ability to maintain healthy liver cells.*

Buy a unique herbal formula that has antioxidant and bile flow enhancing properties which combine to protect and stimulate the body’s normal ability to maintain healthy liver cells.*

---

References
1. Salmi HA, Sarna S. Effect of silymarin on chemical, functional, and morphological alterations of the liver; A double blind controlled study. Scand J Gastroenterol 1982;17:517-521.
2. Buzzelli G, Moscarella S, Giusti A, et al. A pilot study on the liver protective effect of silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex (1dB 1016) in chronic active hepatitis. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1993;31:456-460.
3. Feher I, Deak G, Muzes G. Liver-protective action of silymarin therapy in chronic alcoholic liver diseases. Orv Hetil 1989;130:2723- 2727. [Article in Hungarian]
4. Ferenci P, Dragosics B, Dittrich H, et al. Randomized controlled trial of silymarin treatment in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. J Hepatol 1989;9:105-113.

Everthing you ever wanted to know about Shaklee's Herb-Lax

What Is Herb-Lax?

Herb-Lax is a standardized combination of nine different herbs that cause a gentle bowel movement within several hours. This gentle cleansing rids the body of:

• decaying food materials
• toxic chemicals and other toxic substances
• bacteria and parasites

all of which contribute to the circulation of toxic agents throughout the entire body, giving rise to a multitude of “disease” conditions. Using Herb-Lax for internal cleansing will result in surprisingly good results, without the usual unwanted side effects of common, harsh laxatives. Originally formulated in 1917, Herb-Lax has been used effectively by millions of people over the years.

Who Should Take Herb-Lax?

• Anyone over the age of 5 years old interested in relieving constipation including:
  
  
  
  • the elderly
  • surgery patients
  • individuals who are taking narcotic pain medications which frequently cause constipation as a side effect
  
  
• Anyone who experiences incomplete bowel emptying. A serving size of four tablets of Herb-Lax should cause a gentle bowel movement within several hours. By taking less than the serving size, one can still effectively speed up the flow of food and waste through the intestinal tract without causing diarrhea.


• Anyone performing a body detoxification

---

Additional Information:

• Learn about constipation and what you can do about it.
• Learn about different types of herbs used for detoxification.

---

What's In Herb-Lax?

Herb-Lax is a mix of 9 standardized herbs which work sarcastically to facilitate gentle emptying of the bowel while reducing the occurrence of gas, bloating and cramping. Many of the herbs contained in Herb-Lax are used in cultures which utilize herbs directly after meals to aid digestion. The herbs used in Herb-Lax are:

1. senna: stimulates contractions in the bowel and inhibits stationary contractions in the colon
2. senna leaf: stimulates contractions in the bowel and inhibits stationary contractions in the colon
3. buckthorn: recognized for it's purifying effects* and constipation relief.
4. culver's root: Culver's-root, which is official in the United States Pharmacopoeia, is used as an alterative, cathartic and in disorders of the liver. Traditionally used because of it's affinity for cleansing the gallbladder*
5. licorice: Licorice possesses anti-bacterial properties and is used traditionally to relieve stomach upset
6. fennel: Fennel is an anti-spasmodic. As a medicinal plant, fennel seed has been used as an antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, stimulant, and stomachic. Fennel has also been used as a remedy against colic.
7. anise: Anise is a soothing digestive aid. This herb is good for the treatment of colic, gas, and indigestion. The stimulant and carminative properties of Anise make it useful in flatulency and colic. It is used as an ingredient of cathartic and aperient pills, to relieve flatulence and diminish the griping of purgative medicines.
8. rhubarb: Rhubarb has been used in medicines and folk healing for centuries. It is recognized that rhubarb not only exercises a digestive action but it operates directly as a conveyor of bile salts. In the stomach its digestive effects cause an increase of the flow of gastric juice and induce their movement, thus favoring the processing of the contents of the stomach. Besides stimulating the
   secretions from the liver which convey the bile salts, it assists the intestine in regulating the absorption of fats.
9. blue malva: Traditionally, blue malva flower has been appreciated for its soothing properties.








Discover our herbal colon cleanser, Herb-lax!

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Tired of feeling tired?

Listen to a discussion about Vitalizing Nutrition
This 23 minute discussion covers:

• What does vitality mean?
• What can just one study prove?
• The difference between maximal and mega doses of nutrients.
• Does how your nutrients are delivered to your body matter?
• How this nutritional system supports your whole body.
• Why delivering Vitamin B and Vitamin C slowly it better for you.
• What are carotenes and why are they important?
• What is the importance of Omega-3 fatty acids?
• What are probiotics?
• Are your nutrients guaranteed to be pure?

Additional Information:
Read an informative pamphlet about 80 bio-optimized nutrients clinically proven to create a foundation for a longer, healthier life

Discover how to rediscover your vitality!

A Remedy for Insomnia

For years people having been getting better sleep, thanks to herbal blends containing the herb Valerian. This herb also offers many additional health benefits including stabilizing an irregular heart rhythm, lowering blood pressure, improving childhood behavioral disorders--especially with aggression*. Women can also experience a reduction in menstrual cramps, and less anxiety, tension, and restlessness*.

For people wanting to induce sleep, we recommend making a tea out of the Valerian herbal blend by dropping 2-4 of the tablets into hot water about one hour before bedtime. And don't let the Valerian's initial bad smell fool you, the smell dissipates in a tea.

For those who have serious insomnia and especially menopausal women who have trouble sleeping through the night, we've been hearing very good results from people taking a blend of natural ingredients that provide quick relief from tension, along with the normal three Valerian herbal tablets before bed.

One woman reported “I could always GO to sleep, but staying asleep all night (likely hormonal) is a problem many nights. With the 2 stress relieving tablets and 3 valerian complex tablets, I've been sleeping straight through the night and waking up with no grogginess--and even with a better attitude!! I've just been doing this for 9 nights, and haven't had even one sleepless night--so I felt compelled to share this...even though it's early in my sleep trial...as it's also working for others this quickly (even the first night) as well. One of the gals said it's taking the anxiety out of her days, too! I've used these stress relieving complex for years during the day and have appreciated the results from that, but didn't think I needed it at night”.

If you've had a real difficult time getting to sleep, we recommend giving this remedy of two stress relieving complex tablets and three valerian complex tablets a try. Don't forget all of our products come with an unconditional money-back guarantee so you've got nothing to lose and a whole lot of good night sleeps to gain!

Click here for more information on or to order the valerian complex
Click here for more information on or to order the stress relieving complex

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Why Should I Supplement My Diet?

Besides the fact that it’s a new year and an ideal time to get started on developing healthier habits, now is a great time because we are living in a new golden era of nutrition. A new era that brings a shift to where specific functional foods, also called “nutraceuticals”, are being proven for the prevention of chronic diseases and for providing health benefits beyond the traditional nutrients it contains.

From alfalfa as a diuretic, to CoQ10 as a cardiac function enhancer, plant complexes for immune modulation and Omega-3 for lowering cholesterol (to name just a few) functional food formulas have been designed to deliver health benefits that approach those of patented medications—without the side effects of medications.

This new golden age of nutrition is not in competition with traditional medical approaches, as they are in two separate fields of endeavor. The traditional medical establishment is trained to treat disease. Nutraceuticals, herbs and whole food supplements are all about building health.

Finally, new scientific discoveries are happening every year that advance the field of nutritional supplementation. Discoveries resulting from the human genome project are leading to greater individualized nutrition supplemental choices. And breakthrough scientific advances, like the development of vitamin/mineral strips with multi-patented delivery systems that produces 200% better absorption of ingredients compared to any previous formulas, are completely redefining the power of nutritional supplementation.

So there’s never been a better time to get started building optimum health and there’s never been a better daily nutrition program than this nutritional supplement, with 80 bio-optimized nutrients clinically proven to create a foundation for a longer, healthier life.

This vitalizing supplement comes in a convenient daily nutrition strip you take once a day and provides a full month of energy and vitality, and just as important, the building blocks for good, lifelong health.

Why Supplement?

Why Supplement?

There are so many reasons why supplementing your diet with critical nutrients is essential to your health today. For starters, we live in a high-stress, high-toxic, highly-processed, fast-food, over-medicated, over-farmed, nutrient depleted modern world.

Today’s refined high-fat, high-sugar diet alone contributes to major nutrient deficiencies that leads to irritability, stress, lethargy and sleep disorders. In addition, more than 80 million pounds of antibiotics are consumed each year in the U.S. and not just from prescription drugs! Residues of antibiotics are detected in livestock, farm-fed fish and commercial eggs. Antibiotics kill friendly bacteria in our intestines. We need these friendly bacteria help our bodies to absorb nutrients – especially B-vitamins. Such deficiencies can result in a variety of nervous and digestive conditions.

Our nation’s soil is often nutrient depleted from over-farming and poor crop rotation. In one U.S. government survey, levels of essential nutrients in crops have declined up to 68% over a four-year period. And when you consider that over 90% of the population doesn’t eat the way the Food Pyramid Guide suggests, the need to supplement one’s diet with high-quality whole food supplements becomes obvious.

In determining a good nutrition program you’ll want to factor in unique lifestyles and different age groups as everyone faces their own dietary and nutritional challenges. For instance…

• Are you indoors most of the day? Invalids, shift workers and computer “nerds” often need more Vitamin-D. Most fair skinned people need at least 20 minutes of direct sunlight at noon on 25% of your total body surface each day to maintain adequate blood levels of Vitamin D. If you’re mostly indoors, then a high quality multivitamin which contains 100% of the RDA for Vitamin D, as well as 22 other essential vitamins and minerals at clinically proven levels, would be a good choice for you. Find more information on the world’s most complete multivitamin/multimineral.
  
• Are you an athlete or do you do physical labor? Athletes and those with highly physical jobs perspire more, leading to a loss of key minerals and nutrients. Plus, because of their activity levels, some folks need to consume larger amounts of nutrient-rich foods. Additional nutritional supplementation is usually required. Find more information on supplementing for athletes and sports nutrition.
• Are you a teenager? Teenagers experience rapid growth spurts that place high demands on nutritional resources. And the teenage diet, which often consists of fast foods and high-sugar sodas, doesn’t offer the proper nutritional support. Data shows between 30% and 50% of adolescents aged 12 to 16 have dietary intakes below 2/3 of the recommend daily averages for Vitamins A, C, calcium and iron. Find more information on teen health, including recommend supplementation programs for children of different ages.
• Are you a woman of child-bearing age? Women who are pregnant have significantly higher demand for nutrients to ensure the healthy growth of their baby. And in non-pregnant women, research has shown that up to 60% of women suffering from symptoms of PMS such as headaches, bloating, irritability and lethargy can benefit from supplementing with B-Complex, GLA, Alfalfa, Soy Protein, Calcium and Magnesium. Find more information on Women’s Health and how supplements needed change over time.
• Are you over fifty years old? As you age, your body loses its ability to fully absorb nutrients, particularly iron, calcium and zinc. Fiber intake is often lower and chances are, the older you get the more prescription drugs you are taking – all of which highlight the need for additional nutritional supplementation. Shaklee provides Vita-Lea Gold a specially formulated version of Vita-Lea that takes into consideration the nutritional needs of people over 50.
• Do you smoke? Chew tobacco? Drink Alcoholic beverages? Take Oral Contraceptives? Eat meals of microwaved food? All of these lifestyle factors dramatically increases your need for nutrients that diet alone just can’t provide including a greater need for antioxidants. Find a powerful anti-oxidant supplement,
  
• Finally, there is simply YOU and your genetics, your unique lifestyle and environment. Who you are genetically, how you live your life and where you live your life can greatly impact the nutrients your body needs to maintain good health. Wide and significant fluctuations in individual nutrient requirements from the “official” Recommended Daily Allowances are common with each individual. Use the Search Box on this page to get recommendations on different products to consider. Just type in a condition or topic and see what products come up. Then talk to us about helping you put together a personalized nutrition program that’s right for you.