About the Product
HSN's EssentialSeries Liver Care is an exclusive broad-spectrum formula developed by HSN's R&D team specifically for liver health support, combining 11 active compounds in vegetable capsules: four highly concentrated and standardized plant extracts (Milk Thistle, Turmeric, Artichoke, BioPerine® Black Pepper), the plant-derived glutathione precursor NAC, Choline bitartrate, Coenzyme Q10, natural Vitamin E, Zinc Citrate, chelated Copper Bisglycinate and L-Selenomethionine. All plant extracts are standardized to their most nutritionally relevant bioactive compounds (80% silymarin, 95% curcuminoids, 2.5% cynarin, 98.5% piperine). BioPerine®, patented by Sabinsa Corporation, is specifically included to maximize the oral bioavailability of the other compounds in the formula. Dosage: 1 capsule 3 times per day with a meal (total: 3 capsules/day). 120 capsules (40-day supply at full dose). Vegan, non-GMO.
Benefits
Milk Thistle (25:1, 80% silymarin): the plant hepatoprotector with the greatest clinical evidence base: Milk thistle extract (Silybum marianum) standardized to 80% silymarin is the ingredient with the longest history of clinical use and evidence base for liver health support in the world's phytotherapy catalogue. Silymarin is a mixture of flavonolignans (silybin, isosilybin, silicristin, silydianin) with multiple hepatoprotective mechanisms of action: inhibition of lipid peroxidation of hepatocyte membranes, stimulation of hepatic protein synthesis via RNA polymerase I (accelerating hepatocyte regeneration), inhibition of toxin entry into hepatocytes by competition with membrane transporters, and anti-inflammatory properties via inhibition of NF-κB and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β). The meta-analysis by Gillessen and Schmidt (2020) published in Advances in Therapy compiled clinical studies with silymarin in multiple liver pathologies (chronic hepatitis, NASH, alcoholic cirrhosis, drug toxicity), documenting consistent improvements in markers of liver injury (ALT, AST, GGT) and liver histology in multiple controlled clinical trials.
Turmeric (50:1, 95% curcuminoids): broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory and hepatic antioxidant: Turmeric extract standardized to 95% curcuminoids is one of the natural compounds with the highest documented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potency, with mechanisms of action that include inhibition of NF-κB (the main transcriptional regulator of the inflammatory response), COX-2 and LOX-5 (the key enzymes in the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes), and activation of Nrf2 (the main antioxidant transcription factor that induces the synthesis of glutathione, superoxide dismutase and other endogenous antioxidant defenses). The systematic review by Farzaei et al. (2018) published in Nutrients documented the molecular mechanisms by which curcuminoids exert hepatoprotective effects in multiple experimental models and clinical studies, including support in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), viral hepatitis, and drug-induced hepatotoxicity. The 50:1 ratio ensures a curcuminoid concentration 50 times higher than that of native turmeric root.
Plant-derived NAC (N-acetyl-L-cysteine): glutathione precursor and protection against hepatotoxicity: NAC is the most effective oral glutathione precursor (the body's main intracellular antioxidant, produced from cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid), given that glutathione has very limited intestinal absorption when administered directly. NAC is converted by the body into cysteine, the rate-limiting amino acid for glutathione synthesis, restoring hepatic glutathione levels that are often depleted in conditions of oxidative stress, liver disease, and exposure to hepatotoxins. The mechanism of NAC's hepatoprotection is so well established that it is the reference medical antidote for paracetamol (acetaminophen) poisoning, which causes liver failure by depletion of hepatic glutathione. The study by Khoshbaten et al. (2010) published in Hepatitis Monthly documented improvement in liver function markers (ALT, AST) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease treated with NAC. HSN uses NAC produced by plant fermentation, making it suitable for vegan diets.
Artichoke Extract (20:1, 2.5% cynarin): support for bile function and hepatic lipid metabolism: Artichoke leaf extract (Cynara scolymus) standardized to 2.5% cynarin (the main bioactive compound) has cholagogic and choleretic properties (stimulates the production and flow of bile from the liver and gallbladder), which are especially relevant for hepatic lipid metabolism: bile is essential for the emulsification and intestinal absorption of fats, and its insufficient production contributes to the accumulation of hepatic fat (steatosis). The randomized clinical trial by Panahi et al. (2018) published in Phytotherapy Research documented the efficacy of artichoke leaf extract in patients with NAFLD, with significant reductions in markers of liver injury and improvement in ultrasound parameters of steatosis after 2 months of supplementation.
Choline bitartrate: essential nutrient for hepatic lipid metabolism and approved EFSA claim: Choline has approved EFSA health claims specifically relevant to the context of this formula: choline contributes to the maintenance of normal liver function and to normal lipid metabolism. Choline is essential for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine (the main phospholipid of hepatocyte membranes) and VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein), the lipoprotein responsible for the export of lipids from the liver to peripheral tissues. Choline deficiency causes severe hepatic steatosis due to the liver's inability to export accumulated triglycerides, making it a key nutrient in the context of Liver Care.
CoQ10, Vitamin E, Zinc, Selenium and Copper: multimodal antioxidant protection of liver tissue: Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol, the reduced form) is an essential component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain of hepatocytes and a potent lipid-soluble membrane antioxidant. Natural Vitamin E (D-alpha-tocopheryl acid succinate, the natural form with higher bioavailability) is the main lipid-soluble antioxidant of cell membranes, inhibiting lipid peroxidation of hepatocyte membranes. Zinc (zinc citrate), Selenium (L-selenomethionine) and Copper (chelated bisglycinate) are essential cofactors of the main antioxidant metalloproteins in the body: Cu/Zn-SOD (superoxide dismutase), GPx (glutathione peroxidase, which uses Selenium in its active site) and ceruloplasmin (copper-dependent). The synergistic combination of these enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants covers multiple pathways of oxidative protection of liver tissue.
BioPerine® (piperine 98.5%, 50:1): bioavailability enhancer for all compounds in the formula: Piperine (BioPerine® from Sabinsa Corporation) is an inhibitor of phase I (CYP3A4, CYP1A2) and phase II (glucuronidation, sulfation) metabolizing enzymes that are responsible for the hepatic and intestinal first-pass effect of many natural compounds. By inhibiting these biotransformation enzymes, BioPerine® increases the oral bioavailability of curcuminoids (2000% increases documented in pharmacokinetic studies), silymarin, and other phytochemicals in the formula. This bioavailability enhancer property is especially critical for curcuminoids, which have extremely low intrinsic oral bioavailability in the absence of enhancers such as piperine or phospholipidation.
Uses
Recommended dose: Take 1 capsule 3 times per day with meals (total: 3 capsules/day). Taking it with a meal improves the bioavailability of fat-soluble compounds (curcuminoids, silymarin, vitamin E, CoQ10) as the presence of dietary fat stimulates bile secretion, which facilitates the absorption of these compounds.
Populations with highest relevance: Athletes using pre-workout or anabolic supplements that increase liver load, people who consume alcohol regularly, people taking hepatotoxic medication (statins, paracetamol, anti-inflammatories), people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or metabolic syndrome, and people with elevated liver injury markers (increased ALT, AST, GGT in laboratory tests).
