Consuming alcoholic beverages results in the generation of free radicals. People who drink a lot of alcohol often suffer because of massive free radical-induced cellular damage. Alcohol-induced free radical assault can wreak short-term havoc throughout the body, and these same damaging free radicals are associated with accelerated aging.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been associated with acute ethanol-induced liver damage. A study published in the journal Arteryconfirmed a specific toxic metabolite of alcohol (acetaldehyde) and identified an antidote (N-acetyl-L-cysteine): “All known pathways of ethanol metabolism result in the production of acetaldehyde, a highly reactive compound. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an analogue of the dietary amino acid cysteine, binds acetaldehyde, thus preventing its damaging effect on physiological proteins.”  NAC is a glutathione precursor and direct antioxidant. Pretreatment with or co-administration of NAC helps to inhibit acute ethanol-induced liver damage via counteracting ethanol-induced oxidative stress. NAC also attenuates the progression of the abnormal retention of lipids within liver cells by decreasing development of oxidative stress and subsequent increases in TNF-alpha.

Thus, when people are exposed to a known toxic substance such as alcohol, it makes perfect sense to take a proven antidote — namely, antioxidants.

Anti-Alcohol Antioxidants with HepatoProtection Complex is an improved formula containing additional antioxidants designed to suppress free radicals, neutralize toxic alcohol metabolites such as acetaldehyde, and support healthy liver function. In addition to vitamin B1, vitamin C, N-acetyl-L-cysteine and benfotiamine, this formula’s HepatoProtection Complex provides therapeutic doses of these novel antioxidants:

• Chlorophyllin — an agent that protects the body from oxidative stress.
• Leucoselect® grapeseed extract, silymarin (from milk thistle), and resveratrol  —  three hepatoprotective agents that aid in reducing compounds from potentially toxic xenobiotics and protecting cells from free radical-induced oxidative stress.
• Picroliv® Picrorhiza kurroa root extract — contains antioxidant kutkin that scavenges alcohol-induced excess free radicals and stimulates regeneration of cells (hepatocytes).
• Barley grass powder extract — enhances the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase, thus inhibiting the formation of acetaldehyde and malondialdehyde.

Taking the proper supplements before and after drinking can substantially protect liver cells from the free-radical damaging effects of alcohol consumption.