Bile Flow Support

Bile Flow Support™ is a specialized liver support formula that provides nutrients involved in bile flow and fat metabolism, including choline, taurine, and methionine. Dandelion and celandine have been selected to support bile flow and healthy liver function. Guggul extract and inositol hexanicotinate are included to support healthy blood lipid levels already within the normal range.

What is Bile?

Bile is an important digestive fluid that is produced by the liver and stored in a concentrated form within the gallbladder.  Bile’s main digestive responsibility is to emulsify fats and create fatty acids that can be readily absorbed and used by the body.  When the body has metabolic problems that lead to poor bile production and utilization it can cause serious health disturbances and gallbladder disease.

Unfortunately, the mainstream medical system has no solution for sluggish bile production which is also termed “biliary stasis.”  They just watch and wait until the gallbladder gets so log jammed with gallstones that it needs to be removed.  This process takes years and is completely avoidable.

A review study in the British Medical Journal found that 50% of patients who had gallbladder surgery didn’t see improvement in their digestive health complaints (1).

What are 4 major functions of bile?

1) Fatty Acid Metabolism: Bile salts are critical for the emulsification of dietary fats into bioavailable fatty acids.   Without adequate bile production and utilization, one will have trouble digesting fats and fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K.

2) The Excretion of Waste Products: The liver’s job is to metabolize and deactivate toxins and bile grabs the toxins and helps bring them through the digestive tract and out in the stool.  Bile also helps to encourage the peristaltic action of the intestines which drives fecal matter through and out of the body.

3) Kill off Bad Microbes: The small intestine should normally not have a lot of bacteria in it and this is partly due to the presence of bile salts (2).  Salts are a natural preserving agent that reduces bacterial fermentation.  Poor bile production can lead to increased bacterial fermentation and the development of excessive intestinal bacteria, fungal infection, or parasitic overgrowth.

4) Blood Sugar Metabolism: Bile is needed to break down fatty acids for good fat metabolism.  Poor fat metabolism will cause blood sugar instability (3, 4).  Additionally, bile receptors FXR and TGR5 help to regulate lipid (fat) and carbohydrate metabolism as well as the inflammatory response (5, 6).  The bile acids then activate these receptors. 

What is Bile Flow Support?

Bile Flow Support is a specialized liver support formula that provides nutrients involved in fat metabolism, including choline, taurine, and methionine. Dandelion and celandine have been selected to support bile flow and healthy liver function.

Guggul extract and inositol hexanicotinate are included to support healthy blood lipid levels and support the flow of bile from the liver and gallbladder.  Bile Flow Support is a specialized formula designed to target lipid metabolism and support healthy liver function.

Inositol Hexanicotinate

This is a niacin derivative that consists of one molecule of inositol surrounded by six molecules of niacin.

Over a period of time, the body slowly metabolizes niacin in this derived form so that the characteristic “niacin flush” is avoided. IHN is believed to work in the body in the same way as niacin:

It decreases the mobilization of free fatty acids; inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis in the liver, specifically decreasing VLDL biosynthesis; and decreases the breakdown of HDL cholesterol [7, 8, 9].

Greater Celandine

This is important in both Western phytotherapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine, as it exhibits a broad range of biological activities.

Its inclusion in Bile Flow Support relates to in vitro and human studies that demonstrate its support of bile production and flow and its protective effect on liver cells.[10, 11, 12]

Human studies, cited in a review by Gilca et al,[10] suggested that greater celandine helped relieve minor digestive and abdominal complaints related to the biliary system.

To test the hepatotoxicity of greater celandine, researchers supplemented the diet of Wistar rats with doses that were approximately 50 to 100 times higher than those generally used in humans. The results indicated no alteration in hepatic function.

Researchers caution against using greater celandine in situations (pharmacological treatments, etc.) that can compromise liver function.*[13]

Dandelion

This herb has been used medicinally as far back as the 10th and 11th centuries to support digestive health and kidney and liver function (14). Recent animal and in vitro research points to the cell-protective effects and antioxidant activity of dandelion (15).

For instance, an in vitro study on increased lipid peroxidation in the cortex, hippocampus, and striatum of rats suggested that dandelion demonstrated protective antioxidant effects (16). In another study, rats that were supplemented with dandelion extract showed increased antioxidant liver enzymes, reduced lipid peroxidation, and improved blood lipid metabolism (17).

Guggulsterones

These are the apparent bioactive compounds of guggul, an herbal extract from the resin of the Commiphora mukul tree. Guggul is widely used in Ayurveda for its effect on blood lipids, and research suggests that guggulsterone may antagonize two nuclear hormone receptors involved in cholesterol metabolism.

Guggulsterone can modify the rate and amount of bile salts transported out of the liver (18, 19, 20).

Choline

This compound is involved in lipid transport and metabolism. Without adequate choline, lipids accumulate in the liver. Fat and cholesterol are packaged into lipoproteins in the liver and transported into the bloodstream via very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL).

The body needs choline to synthesize phosphatidylcholine, a required component of VLDL particles. Although the body can synthesize small amounts of choline, exogenous sources are needed to maintain health.*

Taurine

This amino acid is synthesized in the body from the amino acids methionine and cysteine, is considered a conditionally essential amino acid. It is required for efficient fat absorption and conjugation of bile acids, which solubilize cholesterol and increase its excretion.

Studies suggest that taurine is important to various aspects of cardioprotection (21,22).  A primary role of taurine in cardiovascular health relates to its ability to scavenge hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which is produced by myeloperoxidase in neutrophils and macrophages.

HOCl is a major contributor to the oxidation of LDL (low-density lipoproteins) (22).

Methionine

This is a sulfur-containing essential amino acid, and is one of the body’s most important methyl donors.

Maintaining healthy levels of methionine is important for the downstream production of glutathione, a tripeptide that assists with the protection of the liver.

Individuals taking medication should discuss potential interactions with their healthcare practitioner. Do not use if the tamper seal is damaged.

DOES NOT CONTAIN: Wheat, gluten, yeast, soy, animal or dairy products, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, or artificial preservatives.

STORAGE: Keep closed in a cool, dry place out of reach of children

What is the recommended dosage?

Normal Dosage:  1–2 caps – 2x daily right after meals

Advanced Dosage:  2–3 caps – 2x daily right after meals or take 2–3 caps after each meal or snack (3–4x daily)

What are the Contraindications?

When some people get bile flowing better this can increase detox pathways. Combining Bile Flow Support with a binder or Advanced TUDCA can be beneficial to support your body's natural ability to detox.

***Warning:  Please consult your healthcare professional before using if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or considering use for a child.

Recommended Dosage

DIRECTIONS: Take two capsules twice daily after meals, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner. Consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use.

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† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.