The Skinny

Why is ThioGel-L formulated with three antioxidants?

While each of the active ingredients included in the ThioGel-L formula are potent antioxidants, their respective mechanisms of action are both overlapping and complementary. The triple antioxidant formula provides a greater level of protection of liver function due to a combined antioxidant effect, that is coupled with a broader range of biological activity. The principle behind this triple antioxidant approach is not unlike the use of multiple drug products to treat difficult conditions that are only partially responsive to individual drugs.

How do free radicals affect liver diseases?

The damage that occurs in many liver diseases is often linked to the production of free radicals. The membranes that surround cells and organelles are composed of long chain fatty acids (lipids), that are subject to the process of lipid peroxidation. Free radicals play a major role in cell membrane damage, cause proteins and DNA to cross-link, and interfere with ribosomal protein production.

Since oxidative stress is observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from hepatitis C patients, it is hypothesized that oxidative stress might alter lymphocyte function and facilitate the chronicity of the infection. It also appears that the hepatitis C virus codes for a selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase enzyme, by linking viral replication and pathogenesis to the selenium status and dietary oxidant/antioxidant balance of the host. This phenomenon could help explain why hepatitis C disease progression is accelerated by oxidant stresses such as alcoholism and iron overload.

Primary among the many biological actions of alpha lipoic acid are the chelation of heavy metals, the quenching of various free radical species, and the recycling of vitamins E, vitamin C and glutathione, making it a uniquely important compound in counteracting oxidative stress associated with various liver conditions.

Who might benefit from the use of ThioGel-L?

The antioxidants used in Thiogel-L have been used for a variety of conditions that affect liver function. Prominent among these conditions are various forms of liver intoxication, infection, inflammation, and hepatic cell damage. A clinical study performed by Dr. Burton Berkson found that the triple antioxidant approach was effective in treating patients with Hepatitis C, as evidenced by their clinical recovery and remarkably improved laboratory values.

Numerous well-designed clinical trials have been conducted in Europe , primarily Germany , on the therapeutic efficacy of silymarin in the treatment of metabolic liver damage, chronic hepatitis, and bile duct inflammation, often induced by alcohol, drugs (psycopharmaceuticals), and chronic liver disease including certain forms of hepatitis. The hepatoprotective effects of silymarin have been demonstrated in accelerating normalization of impaired liver function

There is a great deal of evidence indicating that selenium supplementation at high levels reduces the incidence of cancer in animals. More than two-thirds of over 100 published studies in 20 different animal models of spontaneous, viral, and chemically induced cancers found that selenium supplementation significantly reduced tumor incidence.

How does alpha lipoic acid contribute to ThioGel-L efficacy?

ALA is u nique among anti-oxidants, demonstrating anti-oxidant activity in aqueous, as well as in lipophilic regions, and in extracellular and intracellular environments. Also unique among anti-oxidants, ALA participates in the recycling of other important endogenous anti-oxidants such as vitamins E and C, ubiquinone and glutathione.

The primary role of antioxidants is to act as scavengers of free radical molecules, inactivating various reactive oxygen species. When too many free radicals are produced for the body’s normal defenses to convert, “oxidative stress” occurs with a cumulative result of reduced cellular function, and ultimately, disease.

Oxidative stress has been correlated with a wide range of disease states, and even the aging process itself. An abundance of evidence exists that diabetic complications, renal failure, viral infections and other disorders are linked to excess levels of free radicals and the damage they cause to DNA, lipid membranes, and enzyme systems. There is a reasonable body of clinical evidence that ALA protects the liver and is useful as a general liver detoxifier.

How does silymarin contribute to ThioGel-L efficacy?

The therapeutic efficacy of silymarin is based on several separate mechanisms of action. Silymarin alters the outer liver membrane cell structure in such a way that certain toxins, as demonstrated with the toxins of the Deathcap mushroom, cannot enter the cell. Silymarin also stimulates RNA polymerase A (also known as polymerase I), enhancing ribosome protein synthesis, resulting in activating the regenerative capacity of the liver through cell development.

Silymarin has been shown to possess potent anti-cancer effects, and has been used clinically to treat toxic hepatitis, fatty liver, cirrhosis, ischemic injury, radiation toxicity, and viral hepatitis. Silymarin also works as an oxidant by scavenging free radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

How does selenium contribute to ThioGel-L efficacy?

Selenium is a powerful antioxidant molecule, and has the added benefit of increasing the activity of glutathione peroxidase. Selenium is a cofactor of glutathione which contains four atoms of selenium per molecule. For people with retroviruses (such as HIV and hepatitis C), selenium may play an unexpected role in addition to the above effects. Retroviruses contain a selenium dependent enzyme that monitors the selenium status of the host, and when selenium levels fall, these viruses begin replicating at an increased rate.

Low levels of selenium result in poor immune cell function, and people who are suffering from AIDs, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, and autoimmune disease characteristically have low serum selenium levels. There is a great deal of evidence indicating that selenium supplementation at high levels reduces the incidence of cancer in animals.

Is alpha lipoic acid, silymarin, and selenium safe to consume?

There have been no adverse reactions reported, no known contraindications, and no known reports of ALA over-dosage.

Milk Thistle seed preparations have been used for the treatment of liver disease since antiquity. At one time or another, virtually all parts of the plant have been used as both food and medicine with virtually no reports of toxicity, aside from a mild laxative effect in some patients. The Food and Nutrition Board recently set the tolerable upper level for selenium at 400 mcg/day in adults. Selenium obtained from food averages about 100 mcg/day for adults in the U.S. Each ThioGel-L softgel contains 70 mcg of selenium.

Does ThioGel-L employ a solubilized formulation to achieve maximum bioavailability?

The proprietary solubilization technology developed by KemTek Pharmaceuticals is also used to produce ThioGel-L softgels. The liquid form of the active ingredients is more easily absorbed (higher bio-availability), with correspondingly less variability in the amounts being absorbed and entering the circulation. European-sourced alpha lipoic acid and the highest quality sources of silymarin and selenium are used in routine ThioGel-L production.

What is the optimum dosing schedule for taking alpha lipoic acid?

There is no established dose of ThioGel-L for the different areas of use. A 200 mg daily dose is typically used for general anti-oxidant protection. Doses up to 600 mg per day have been used for diabetic neuropathy and Hepatitis C. When more than 200 mg. is taken per day, the dosage should be divided over the day to maintain blood levels over a longer period of time. If taking 400 mg. per day, a typical dosing schedule would be 200 mg. in the morning and 200 mg. in the afternoon. If taking 600 mg. per day, a typical schedule might be 200 mg. in the morning, 200 mg. in the afternoon, and 200 mg. in the evening.

These statements are not intended as medical advice. They are intended as solely instructional and educational. Please consult a medical or health professional before undertaking any changes in your health treatment.