Alcohol Detox contains thiamin HCL, benfotiamin, N-acetyl-cysteine, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), alpha-lipoic acid and silymarin which act synergistically to combat some of the harmful effects of alcohol consumption.

Acetaldeyhyde, a by-product of alcohol metabolism by the liver, is almost 30 times more toxic than alcohol itself. Amongst others, it promotes the development of cross-links between glucose and proteins, a process known as glycation. Alcohol also significantly increases the generation of free radicals which, if left unchecked by antioxidants, leads to considerable oxidative stress.

Alcohol consumption causes major depletion of numerous micronutrients:

• the folates, vitamins B1, B6, PP, D and E are those most at risk;
• thiamin deficiency appears to be responsible for the degeneration of cerebellar cells seen in alcoholics;
• the drop in vitamin C levels, the principal water-soluble antioxidant, results in serious oxidative stress in heavy drinkers. This effect is exacerbated by the fact that vitamin C is a co-factor of several enzymes – reduction in vitamin C thus leads to a reduction in endogenous antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase or glutathione peroxidase.

Glutathione, N-acetyl-cysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, thiamin, sulphur-based nutrients, all have a beneficial effect in acetaldehyde detoxification.

Alcohol consumption causes a fall in glutathione levels:

• n-acetyl-cysteine and silymarin help increase levels. In rats, one month’s supplementation with silymarin was shown to increaseglutathione levels by 35%;
• alpha-lipoic acid can also recycle glutathione.

Benfotiamin, a fat-soluble derivative of thiamin – or vitamin B1 – prevents and slows down acetaldehyde-induced glycation.

Supplementation with both fat-soluble benfotiamin and water-soluble thiamin is essential for preventing some of the most harmful effects of alcohol consumption/

Silymarin extracted from milk-thistle has hepato-protective properties; it is primarily used for treating alcohol-associated liver damage:

• it stimulates regeneration of liver cells and hepatic protein synthesis;
• a potent antioxidant, it protects against oxidative stress in the liver produced by ethanol;
• it protects hepatocytes against damage from alcohol or other powerful toxins;
• it prevents fibrosis, a process which plays a part in the development of cirrhosis;
• it reduces mortality rates in patients with cirrhosis.