Himalaya Liv.52

Liv.52 is an ayurvedic herbal formulation made by the company Himalaya, which is used to support liver health and liver function. It consists of a blend of herbs including Mandur basma, Tamarix gallica, Capparis spinosa, Cichorium intybus, Solanum nigrum, Terminalia arjuna, and Achillea millefolium. It is specifically used in the prevention or treatment of hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, early liver cirrhosis, protein energy malnutrition, loss of appetite, radiation and chemotherapy-induced liver damage, as an adjunct to hepatotoxic drugs, and to support metabolism during convalescence or prolonged illness.

Liv.52 has been shown to increase the excretion of alcohol out of the body, reducing hangover symptoms the next day after binge drinking. It is possible that Liv.52 prevents the binding of acetaldehyde, bringing about higher initial blood levels followed by rapid elimination. It may also be because Liv.52 slows down how quickly glutathione is depleted.

Bodybuilders and athletes use Liv-52 as a way to reduce the level of strain placed on the liver by hepatotoxic anabolic/androgenic steroids. When using c-17 alpha alkylated orals, the liver is placed under a lot of stress, with glutathione depletion being a direct marker of liver stress. As mentioned above, Liv.52 slows the depletion of glutathione, so serves as benefit to those using oral anabolic steroids.

Liv.52 can be used to lower elevated liver enzymes like ALT and AST. Elevated liver enzymes may indicate inflammation or damage to the liver. Liv.52 helps reduce inflammation. Liv.52 also works well in reducing elevated serum bilirubin level and treating jaundice. 2 tablets, twice a day, tends to lower liver enzymes in about 2 months.

Liv 52 helps with nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and loss of appetite. All ingredients present in Liv 52 stimulate digestion and increase appetite. Liv.52 promotes appetite, improves growth in children, improves bowel habits, helps in appetite loss in pregnancy and may increase body weight. The improvements in appetite are normally seen in 2-4 weeks, but can take up to 3 months.

Liv 52 helps digestion of fats. It improves the flow of bile into the digestive tract. It can also help in mild cases of constipation.

A general dosage for Liv.52 is 2 tablets, 3 times per day. It is often recommended to take them 30 minutes before a meal when improvement in digestion is needed. If digestion and appetite are sufficient, then you can take them 30 minutes after the meal.

References / further reading:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16194047/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6942351/

https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7422/14/3/21

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874102002635

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2065700/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2065699/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8279671/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20412827/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22940028/

Akkermansia

 

Akkermansia muciniphila is a gram-negative, anaerobic bacterium that inhabits the mucus layer of the human intestine. Akkermansia is recognized as being protective against the development of obesity, and levels of Akkermansia in the intestinal microbiome are inversely associated with metabolic syndrome, meaning the more Akkermansia, the less metabolic syndrome, and also, autoimmune diseases. Studies have shown positive benefits of Akkermansia in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, and diabetes. More research is being conducted on the beneficial roles of A. muciniphila and its action mechanisms in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases.

In one study, a 10-percent increase in Akkermansia was associated with a 26-percent average reduction in obesity risk. It also improved insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and steatosis (fatty liver). Aging weakened, but did not remove, the protective effects of Akkermansia against obesity. Obesity is associated with or even caused by the dysbiosis of gut microbiota, in some people’s opinion. Beneficial bacteria, such as Akkermansia, may play a decisive role in reducing the burden of obesity, via modulation of glucose metabolism and low-grade inflammation.

Other studies have shown that A. muciniphila increased thermogenesis (heat production / metabolism) and GLP-1 which helps regulate blood sugar and control hunger. It also reduced the production of certain proteins that help fat cells develop, and reduced carbohydrate absorption.

Akkermansia breaks down mucin, a type of sugary protein, in the gut. It can reduce cholesterol synthesis in the gut by consuming mucins. A. muciniphila degrades intestinal mucin, regulating immune response and tissue regeneration. A. muciniphila also strengthens the intestinal barrier, protecting the host from lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia.

“3 months of treatment with 1 × 1010 CFU of pasteurized A. muciniphila showed a reduction in weight, fat mass, hip circumference, insulin resistance, plasma cholesterol levels, the markers of liver dysfunction, and systemic inflammation; these patients did not experience any side effects”.

Berries and grapes can increase the amounts of Akkermansia in the gut.

Smokers and those on vegetarian diets don’t have high levels of Akkermansia in the gut. Akkermansia levels seem to drop with age. So, this is another case where you want to be conscious about potentially eating foods that increase Akkermansia, or supplementing with Akkermansia.

As for supplementing with Akkermansia I would use a product with multiple strains of bacteria as diversity in the microbiome seems to be most beneficial. Nutridyn have Ultrabiotic Akkermansia Plus, which contains 100 Million CFU of Akkermansia muciniphila AH39, along with 10 billion CFU of both bifidobacterium animalis HN019, and B420, 2 billion CFU of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, and 30 million CFU of Clostridium butyricum 10.

As always though, Akkermansia isn’t a magic bullet. If you aren’t getting enough sunlight, not exercising, have poor nutrition, not sleeping well, aren’t hydrated, then it probably won’t do much for you. It’s a small addition to an already solid lifestyle.

 

References / further reading:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9300896/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7583218/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/akkermansia-muciniphila

 

Pre-Workout Scar Treatment and Soft Tissue Work

A little bit of pre-workout scar treatment and soft tissue work goes a long way.

This took under 5 minutes.

These are the results you should be getting.