This is an objective, independently written product review on Progast® Pro-liver Ultra capsules to support liver function – the natural way. Available in packs of 30 capsules.
Progast® Pro-liver Ultra offers relief from symptoms related to liver toxicity and bile dysfunction by:
- helping with liver cell regeneration
- detoxifying the liver from excessive alcohol use
- promoting healthy liver function
- supporting the gallbladder
INGREDIENTS
Progast® Pro-liver Ultra is a natural product of pharmaceutical grade quality and has been specifically formulated to combine the most effective and natural plants to support liver function:
- Milk Thistle 200 mg (standardised to 80% Silymarin)
- Artichoke Extract 150 mg (standardised extract 4:1)
- Choline Bitartrate 100 mg
- Triphala Extract 70 mg (standardised to 40% Tannins)
- Dandelion Root Extract 50 mg
- Zingiber Officinale root extract (standardised to gingerol 20%) 50 mg
Other ingredients: Magnesium stearate (10 mg), Microcrystalline cellulose (50 mg).
Bitter tasting herbs, in most cases, seem to cause a liver reflex action that facilitates the production and discharge of bile. Since it is through the discharge of bile that the liver cleanses the blood, bitter tasting herbs such as dandelion, milk thistle and artichoke used in Pro-liver Ultra generally have a detoxifying effect throughout the body. The primary function of the liver is for detoxification and elimination of various metabolic poisons.
THE LIVER AND ITS MANY FUNCTIONS
The liver, made up of two main lobes, is situated on the righthand side of your body, beneath your diaphragm and on top of your stomach, right kidney, and intestines.
While the external immune system is involved in overcoming pathological bacteria and viruses throughout the body, the liver makes the process more efficient by removing the debris from the blood and protecting the immune system from overload. In many people these same signs of exhaustion, excessive thirst, poor digestion, mood swings and headaches can be present day after day without ever realising that the liver is shouting for help. Most people are aware of the link between alcohol consumption and liver damage, but the liver can be damaged in multiple ways.
The consequences of mistreating the liver include obesity, an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, allergies and many other ailments. If left untreated, liver damage can progress further to liver disease.
Natural plant extracts have shown to improve liver function in:
- blood filtration
- sugar control
- bile secretion
- detoxification
- storing nutrients
- digestion and
- cholesterol metabolism
SYMPTOMS OF A SLUGGISH LIVER
Symptoms of impaired liver function may include a bitter taste in the mouth, skin eruptions, dry burning eyes, fatigue, headaches and adverse reactions to caffeine and alcohol. You may feel physically ill with increased stress or exercise, have trouble sleeping and struggle with digestive issues such as bloating, flatulence and constipation.
Physically the liver communicates distress primarily on the right side of the body. Pain on the right side of the head extending into the right shoulder, down into the right hip, knee and big toe could all be liver language! If you wake up between 2 and 3 in the morning, you most likely have a sluggish liver. A symptom of severe liver dysfunction is jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) as the liver becomes unable to metabolise the pigment bilirubin derived mainly from the breakdown of red blood cells.
THE CAUSES OF POOR LIVER FUNCTION
A sluggish liver or an impaired liver function can be due to poor dietary habits, insulin toxicity, additives and preservatives in food, obesity, side effects of medication, chronic stress, Epstein Barr virus, alcohol and drug abuse, smoking, environmental toxins and industrial pollution.
Diabetes raises your risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease due to obesity (especially in type 2 diabetics), insulin resistance and high levels of triglycerides.
Recent research has shown that metamizole-containing medicines such as Buscopan can damage the liver.
NOTE: A common cause of acute liver failure is the overuse of acetaminophen (the drug found in many over-the-counter medications including Tylenol).
LIVER CONDITIONS
- Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD)
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Non-alcoholic steatohepitits (NAS). Fatty liver due to causes other than alcohol.
- Hepatitis is an inflamed liver, caused by many drugs and toxic chemicals, but in most instances it is caused by a virus.
- Cirrhosis – the end stage of liver disease (when the liver cells stop regenerating and are replaced by fibrous tissue [scarring], and fat deposits).
- Chemical and drug induced liver injury.
- Jaundice
As a side note, it is important to look at the research where it was found that people with fatty liver disease were significantly more likely to develop type 2 diabetes within five years than those with healthy livers.
DETAILS ON EACH INGREDIENT
1. Milk Thistle 200 mg (80% standardized silymarin extract, providing 160 mg Silybin)
The queen of all liver herbs is milk thistle (Silybum marianum/Carduus marianus), used to prevent and treat liver ailments.1,2 It is known as the liver adaptogen as it neither stimulates nor sedates. Milk thistle regulates the permeability of liver cells and assists in cellular regeneration. Milk thistle fruits are packed full of an antioxidant flavonoid complex called silymarin and contains various flavonolignans, including silybin (the most active and commonly used) and other minor polyphenolic substances.
It specifically boosts an antioxidant in your body called glutathione, preventing its depletion. Glutathione helps to detox your liver, protects it against harmful toxins and regenerate liver cells.
Milk thistle may help to improve the quality of life and life expectancy of people with liver cirrhosis, particularly if the latter is caused by alcohol. Milk thistle has antineoplastic activity – it prevents or inhibits tumor development and may decrease fibrosis scores.3
Milk thistle improves gallbladder activity and has been used to assist in weight loss where stubborn fat and liver cells remain inflamed. Milk thistle is very important for iron chelation especially where excess iron may affect the heart.4
2. Artichoke 150 mg
Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) extract stimulates urine and bile flow. The leaves are full of active substances that help the liver to make bile. This increase in bile acids, helps digestive tract motility, especially in the small intestine.5
Artichoke (one of the oldest medicinal plants in the world) is used to protect the liver, stimulates the liver cells when sluggish, aids in regulating cholesterol production and has antispasmodic effects. It was originally used as a general tonic and a digestive aid.
Artichoke extract enhances the detoxification process of the liver and protects the liver from toxic by-products of the detoxification process. Another way artichoke protects the liver is by transporting toxins in the form of bile from the liver.
3. Choline Bitartrate 100 mg
The liver is an important organ for metabolism, transportation and storage of choline, and liver is dependent on choline and very sensitive to it. There are many types of choline such as choline bitartrate. Choline is an essential nutrient, similar to a B vitamin – a source of methyl groups needed for many steps in metabolism.
The majority of the body's choline is found in specialized fat molecules known as phospholipids, the most common of which is called phosphatidylcholine. Choline is needed to synthesize phospholipids and to form acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter.
Choline influences liver function and is essential for transporting lipids from the liver and maintaining normal liver function through the role it plays in fat metabolism. Therefore, in choline deficiency, fat accumulates in the liver, which can result in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and liver fibrosis. Choline deficiency has long been utilized to study the mechanisms of fatty liver disease and its progression.
4. Triphala Extract 70 mg
Triphala, a herbal remedy (or polyherbal medicine) is a mixture of three dried fruits. This traditional remedy has a long history of use for the treatment of liver and kidney diseases.
Triphala literally means ‘three fruits’ in Sanskrit. They are:
- Amala (Emblica officinalis), also called Indian gooseberry
- Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica)
- Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
These fruits are dried, powdered and mixed in the right proportions, generally used in synergy as an effective gut cleanser as it improves peristalsis, promotes bowel movement and regulates metabolism. The Indian gooseberry specifically has a cooling effect and promotes liver function and boosts immunity.
Triphala has been specifically included in Pro-liver Ultra to protect liver function, regulate sugar levels and reduce inflammation. It is through the bioactivity of Triphala elicited by the gut microbiota, that a variety of anti-inflammatory compounds are generated. Furtermore, Triphala’s polyphenol content modulates the human gut microbiome, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibiting the growth of undesirable bacteria such as E.Coli. This is all very beneficial for optimum liver health.
5. Dandelion Root Extract 50 mg
Dandelion root (Taraxicum officinale) is a mild diuretic that helps with constipation, digestion, liver function, a spastic colon, irritable bowel syndrome and gas. It is a very popular detox herb packed with potassium and acts as a diuretic. Dandelion supports the gallbladder in releasing bile flow from the liver and gall bladder, causing the liver to dump toxins.
6. Zingiber Officinale root extract (standardised to gingerol 20%) 50 mg
Generally used to alleviate nausea, cramping, bloating and indigestion, the spice ginger works by stimulating digestive enzyme secretions in the gut.6
This popular traditional medicinal plant helps to relax the smooth muscles in your gut lining and assists with digestion by speeding up the movement of food in the intestinal tract.7
Proper elimination of toxic matter in the digestive tract reduces load on the liver. Anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, and antiulcer effects of ginger have been proven in many scientific studies, and some of the ancient applications of ginger as a home remedy has been confirmed.8 Ginger has shown to possess significant activity against a wide range of gram-negative bacteria.
A randomized, double-blind clinical trial study9 examined the effects of ginger supplementation with lifestyle intervention on liver enzymes, inflammatory markers, steatosis and hepatic fibrosis scores in patients with NAFLD. Daily consumption of two grams of ginger supplement for 12 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in inflammatory marker levels and GGT liver enzymes and liver steatosis. Insulin resistance is one of the major risk factors in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and in this study it was shown that ginger supplementation reduces insulin resistance.
DOSAGE
Take 1 capsule of Progast® Pro-liver Ultra daily for maintenance use. For acute use, unless otherwise prescribed by a physician, for symptoms of food overindulgence, excess alcohol use, to help detoxify the liver, or if you struggle with fatty liver disease, take up to 3 capsules daily. If you are currently on chronic chemical medication on a daily basis, start with one capsule three times daily for the first six weeks and then once a day, ongoing, to support liver function while dealing with the chemical load.
Recommended for persons 18 years and older.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WARNINGS
Do not use this product if hypersensitive (allergic) to any of the ingredients.
This product has not been evaluated for its safety during pregnancy or for breast-feeding. This product is not meant to replace any treatment prescribed by a physician.
Be cautious with this product as it may interfere with the efficacy of some medicine. Always consult a physician before using any new medications. Ask a physician before use with metabolic altering medications. Please do not use this product to try and avoid the need to consult a physician about your symptoms.
Vegicaps. Free from sugar, lactose, gluten, GMO, soya & pesticides. No artificial additives, flavours, colourants & preservatives. Produced in an ISO 9001 facility. For more information, visit www.Progast.global.
The information published here, does not intend to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The product reviewed has not been evaluated by any regulatory body and is not intended to diagnose treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information given here is not meant to be a substitute for seeing a health professional. It is our opinion only, based on several years of research, in consultation with world experts. We’re sure you’ll find it useful, but please use it wisely and always exercise common sense.
REFERENCES
- Wellington K. and Jarvis B. Silymarin: A review of its clinical properties in the management of hepatic disorders. BioDrugs. 2001; (15):465-89.
- Saller R., et al. The use of silymarin in the treatment of liver diseases. Drugs. 2001; (61): 2035-2063.
- Pradhan SC, Girish C. Hepatoprotective herbal drug, silymarin from experimental pharmacology to clinical medicine. Indian J Med Res. 2006 Nov;124(5):491-504. PMID: 17213517.
- Khezri HD, Kosaryan M, Salehifar E. Silymarin therapy and improvement of cardiac outcome in patients with β-thalassemia major. J Res Pharm Pract. 2016;5(1):74-75. doi:10.4103/2279-042X.176555
- Rodriguez T, Saenz Gimenez D, Garcia de la Puerta Vazquez R. Choleretic activity and biliary elimination of lipids and bile acids induced by an artichoke leaf extract in rats. Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology; December 1, 2002.
- Platel K, Srinivasan K. Influence of dietary spices or their active principles on digestive enzymes of small intestinal mucosa in rats. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 1996; 47:55–59
- Yamahara J, Huang QR, Li YH, Xu L, Fujimura H. Gastrointestinal motility enhancing effect of ginger and its active constituents. Chem & Pharmaceutical bulletin. 1990; 38:430–431.
- Bodagh M, Maleki I, Hekmartdoost A, Ginger in gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review of clinical trials. Food Science & Nutrition. Nov 2018.
- Rahimlou M, Yari Z, Hekmatdoost A, Alavian SM, Keshavarz SA. Ginger Supplementation in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. Hepat Mon. 2016;16(1):e34897. Published 2016 Jan 23.
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