Study shows French Oak extract Robuvit® supports liver function, naturally boosting elimination of toxins, such as with alcohol consumption

HOBOKEN, N.J., Dec. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As millions of Americans enjoy holiday parties and seek hangover remedies, new research shows a powerful natural option can boost the body's capacity to detox following alcohol consumption. A new published study shows that supplementation with French Oak extract, Robuvit®, boosts liver function for faster recovery from temporary damage and symptoms related to alcohol consumption.

This new study (Pellegrini et al, 2016) advances the findings of previous research demonstrating positive impact of Robuvit® for increasing liver enzyme capacity required for efficiently neutralizing waste materials and recovering from intoxication.

"The liver is our body's detox engine. A healthy liver breaks down waste materials and toxins like alcohol," said nationally renowned natural health expert and author Dr. Fred Pescatore.

"When we consume alcohol, the temporary overload may exceed the liver's capacity to process and deplete, manifesting with typical 'hangover' effects of nausea and sluggishness while our body recuperates. This research shows that Robuvit® helps protect the liver from alcohol-related damage and gets our body back to work for more efficient removal of toxins that are affecting us," said Pescatore.

Per the National Library of Medicine, the liver has many important metabolic functions and plays a central role in all metabolic processes in the body. Once substances reach the liver, they are processed, stored, altered, detoxified and passed back into the blood or released in the bowel to be eliminated.¹  

"Temporary hepatic damage" is a common condition affecting the liver, which can be caused by alcohol consumption, certain prescription drugs and overuse of acetaminophen.

In the new clinical investigation, 44 healthy participants who consumed alcohol were assigned to either a control group or a Robuvit® group (daily supplementation with Robuvit®) for a 12-week period. At the start, blood parameters of the two groups were comparable.

After 12-weeks, the group taking Robuvit® showed significantly improved liver enzyme levels, decreased inflammation and reduced plasma free radicals.

Supplementation with Robuvit® was shown to help recover hepatic function faster than in control groups, and to counter the symptoms of temporary alcohol-related liver damage, including:

• Significantly improved tiredness (74 percent improvement Robuvit®/ 38 percent control) and fatigue (78 percent improvement Robuvit®/ 57 percent control)
• Reduced nausea (69.6 percent improvement Robuvit®/ 52.3 percent control) related to alcohol intoxication
• Measurably improved mild liver enlargement (30 percent improvement Robuvit®/ 19 percent control)

"This study shows the protective qualities of Robuvit® along with a very good safety profile," said Pescatore. "The hepatoprotective effect of Robuvit® seems to be mediated by its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant traits associated to its measurable action on oxidative stress."

This research builds on previous research demonstrating Robuvit®'s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A 2015 peer-reviewed clinical found that Robuvit^® improves lymphatic drainage, an essential part of immunity.

The lymphatic system is a network of thin tubes throughout the body that drains fluids trapped in tissues, which in advanced stages may build-up causing swellings, known as lymphatic edema. Robuvit^® was found to improve lymphatic drainage, leading previously trapped fluids together with accumulated waste material and toxins back to the venous circulation, for subsequent hepatic detoxification and renal clearance.

A Natural, Safe and Effective Option

Oak wood has been prized for centuries for its resilience, flavor and preservative effects. Roburins – a unique class of tannins found only within trees of the oak genus Quercus Robur – provide many of these coveted attributes. Researchers found ways to isolate these powerful roburin molecules and developed methods to transfer their benefits to humans.

"The ability of Robuvit® to help manage hepatic damage is a significant finding. Robuvit® may be a valuable supplement to help counter that damage due to alcohol or medications and help return our liver function to optimal levels. Those who are seeking natural ways to detox or to protect or support their liver function and lymphatic system should look to add this ingredient to their daily diet," said Pescatore.

Products containing Robuvit® can be found on www.Robuvit.com

About Horphag Research (USA) Inc.
Horphag Research (USA) Inc., based in Hoboken, New Jersey, is the North American distributor for Pycnogenol^® (pic-noj-en-all) brand French maritime pine bark extract and Robuvit®, French oak wood extract on behalf of Horphag Research. Pycnogenol^® and Robuvit® are registered trademarks of Horphag Research Ltd. For its patented ingredient, Pycnogenol^®, Horphag Research has been awarded the Frost & Sullivan Excellence in Research Award, Nutraceutical Business & Technology Safety & Quality Award, SupplySide West Scientific Excellence Award and The American Botanical Council's Tyler Research Award. Horphag Research (USA) has the exclusive rights to market and sell Pycnogenol^® in North America and benefits from more than 40 years of scientific research assuring the safety and efficacy of Pycnogenol^® as a dietary supplement. For more information, visit www.pycnogenol.com and www.Robuvit.com.

SOURCE Horphag Research (USA) Inc.