We prefer this brand because…...

This classic blend contains four liver-tonic botanicals that each help liver health in a specific and individual way, so that the formula gives unusually wide range of benefits for a several liver and skin conditions. “T.A.P.S.” has helped numerous of our patients for years, and has proven more effective in the long term than milk thistle alone or any one of its ingredients in isolation. The initials stand for turmeric, artichoke, picrorhiza, and silybum or milk thistle. Both the milk thistle and turmeric are in an ultra-potent phytosome form: Alone, milk thistle and turmeric have poor bioavailability and might need huge doses to reach maximum efficacy.The phytosome technology is developed by a specialty nutraceutical company, Indena in Milan, Italy. It starts with phosphatidylcholine, a phospholipid derived from plant cells that naturally occurs in all of our cell membranes too, and thus is easily recognized by the body. Curcumin or silybin, the active botanical constituents of turmeric and milk thistle, are mixed with phosphatidylcholine. Molecular imaging shows that one or more molecules of phosphatidylcholine wrap around each botanical, and loosely bond with it. In the small intestine, phosphatidylcholine can easily cross epithelial cell membranes, and so the phytosome combination chaperones the active herb efficiently into the bloodstream. This makes high levels of curcumin or silybum immediately available for tissues to use. Over fifteen studies have found that phytosome delivery gives about 27 to 30 times greater absorption of botanicals, and higher blood levels than the poorly-absorbed old-style standardized versions. In our clinic, we have seen very good results using “T.A.P.S.” for eczema, psoriasis, liver protection, high liver enzymes, acute and chronic viral hepatitis, alcohol-induced or toxic chemical-related hepatitis, NASH, and cirrhosis.

About milk thistle, artichoke, picrorhiza and turmeric

Milk thistle, or silybum marianum, has been used as a medicinal herb for at least 2,000 years. Its seeds contain a flavonoid complex called silymarin, which is has potent benefits for the liver and bile system, and for psoriasis. Silymarin has a mixture of the flavonolignans silybin, silydianin, silychristin, and silibinin, which is the most biologically active constituent according to in vitro assays. All together, these milk thistle constituents protect the liver in several ways: they can enhance blood circulation through the liver, encourage liver cell regeneration, and increase DNA and protein synthesis by 23-25%. Milk thistle promotes healthy bile flow, and it is a potent antioxidant: studies show it protects human and animal cells from free radical damage and lipid peroxidation caused by external chemical toxins It boosts glutathione, the liver's own protective antioxidant inside its cells, by 35 percent. Silymarin protects liver cell membranes, it inhibits lipid peroxidation, protecting fat molecules from being damaged or degraded, and it also enhances the liver's natural phase I detoxification functions. Milk thistle may also stabilize immunological responses and reduce leukotrienes, and protect against cellular radiation damage. For psoriasis, milk thistle can reduce skin plaque formation by lessening inflammatory skin compounds. By improving hepatic function it helps the liver the filter out gastrointestinal noxious substances from bacteria, yeast or immune complexes that can aggravate cell proliferation and may be part of the underlying cause of psoriasis. Liver support helps reduce the levels of these microbial byproducts in the blood. With our patients, we see that milk thistle in combination with artichoke can ease excessive cell overgrowth and help improve psoriasis.

Artichoke leaves are generally standardized for their active constituents caffeoylquinic acids. They have a choleretic effect, meaning that they increase the formation of bile and improve its quality and flow from the liver and through the bile ducts. When bile arrives from the bile ducts and gall bladder into the duodenum, it is necessary to emulsify fats so they break into small globules for absorption. Bile also holds water in stools, keeping them soft enough to pass, and it dispels harmful bacteria in the gut. Artichoke can help normalize liver enzymes, relieve poor fat absorption and flatulence, and ease abdominal pain and constipation. It helps cholesterol ratios by helping the liver to more efficiently convert cholesterol into bile acids, and in research has been found to reduce total cholesterol by 11% after six to eight weeks of use.

Picrorhiza has a long use in Ayurvedic medicine to support liver function. Research shows that picrorhiza protects liver cells from damage from environmental or ingested toxins such as acetaminophen (tylenol), carbon tetrachloride, and aflatoxin B1, mold which can contaminate peanuts. Picrorhiza increases bile flow, and acts as an antioxidant. It scavenges free radicals, and inhibits the formation of rogue oxygen compounds, protecting the good fats in liver cell membranes from peroxidation injury. Like silymarin, picrorhiza can stimulate repair and regeneration of new liver cells, maybe by enhancing synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins.

Turmeric and its active constituent curcumin is an outstanding natural anti-inflammatory, pain reliever, reparative for connective tissue disorders or injury, and also a potent antioxidant and liver protector. As a medicinal root, it has been added to foods for over five thousand years in India where it is known as "holy powder” and “spice of life,” and in traditional Chinese medicine. Turmeric protects liver and other cells from inflammation damage: it influences over 700 separate genes, and can calm the activity of inflammatory enzymes and the mediators cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and 5-lipooxygenase (5-LOX). It shields liver cells from environmental toxin damage. Turmeric enhances healthy liver function: it boosts bile release, and encourages bile to be more soluble and free-flowing. It helps the liver to regenerate its own innate glutathione, a powerful antioxidant. Curcumin directly scavenges and helps to disarm free radicals, and it assists the liver in clearing environmental toxins and its own metabolic waste.

Contents

1 capsule provides: Artichoke extract leaf (Cynara scolymus) 125 mg., Curcumin Phytosome (Curcuma longa extract root / Phosphatidylcholine complex) 125 mg., Picrorhiza extract root (Picrorhiza kurrooa) 125 mg., Silybin Phytosome (Silybum marianum extract seed / Phosphatidylcholine complex) 125 mg.

Other Ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule, Leucine, Silicon Dioxide.

Free of: - This product does Not contain: artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, preservatives, parabens, gluten, dairy, corn, ingredients of animal origin, shellfish, egg, salt, sugar, soy, wheat, yeast

Cautions

Always take natural remedies under the supervision of your health care provider. Consult your physician before using 'T.A.P.S.' if you have diabetes or take medicines such as metformin or insulin for high blood sugar, and monitor your blood sugar carefully: both turmeric and picrorhiza can lower blood sugar levels, so that medication doses may need to be reduced. Stop 'T.A.P.S.' for at least one week before and one week after surgery, as turmeric can slow blood clotting and increase bleeding time or bruising, and picrorhiza can reduce blood sugar during surgical procedures. Do not use 'T.A.P.S.' without the advice of your healthcare professional if you take blood thinners such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, heparin, or warfarin (Coumadin), as turmeric may have a slight effect slowing blood clotting. Use caution and be guided by your physician if you have an auto-immune disorder such as multiple sclerosis, lupus (SLE), or rheumatoid arthritis, or other conditions, as picrorhiza may activate the immune system. For the same reason, consult your physician before taking 'T.A.P.S.' if you use immunosuppressant medicines such as azathioprine (Imuran), cyclosporine, prednisone or corticosteroids. Do not use 'T.A.P.S.' without the guidance of your health care provider if you take any medicines altered by the liver as milk thistle may help the liver to alter or clear these faster, including amitriptyline, diazepam, ibuprofen, irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), phenytoin, piroxicam, acetaminophen, atorvastatin (Lipitor), diazepam (Valium), digoxin, lamotrigine (Lamictal), lorazepam (Ativan), and lovastatin (Mevacor). Do not use 'T.A.P.S.' during pregnancy or nursing without the guidance of your physician, as there is insufficient data on safety during pregnancy.

Testimonials