Shield – Metabolic Waste Management

Physical strain, diet choices, infections and many other factors generate metabolic waste, which, if accumulated, causes inflammation and affects our level of performance.

Metabolic Waste Management

Shield is formulated to support the body’s metabolic waste removal process and to help keep inflammation levels low. Its primary method of action is to support optimal glutathione levels.

Glutathione is a ‘master’ antioxidant that is central to the mechanism by which our body handles metabolic waste and how it reacts to compounds which cause inflammation. While the bulk of glutathione originates in the liver, it is used by every cell and tissue in the body.

Glutathione plays a key role in maintaining the body’s balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory compounds when our metabolic system alters in response to a change in the level of a particular reactive oxygen species.

Glutathione can bind to a range of toxic molecules to form harmless complexes that are then excreted rapidly from the body. This process applies to both molecules originating from outside of the body as well as endogenous ones: hormonal waste, lactic acid buildup in active muscles, inflammatory prostaglandins, fungal toxins and carcinogens like acetaldehyde.

Inflammation and waste processing deplete glutathione. Supporting glutathione metabolism is a functional supplementation strategy with wide-ranging therapeutic and ergogenic potential.

Glutathione plays a role in improving aerobic metabolism through its role in suppressing the accumulation of lactic acid in active muscles. Increasing glutathione through supplementation has been shown to lead to lower lactate levels and less muscle fatigue.

Shield contains a blend of glutathione precursors and co-factors to support the production of glutathione and to limit its depletion. As a second method of action Shield contains compounds that help protect the liver when processing higher levels of metabolic waste.

Glutathione and inflammation

Glutathione state, the ratio between active and used forms of glutathione, is a highly sensitive indicator of the body’s inflammatory status. Glutathione depletion has been correlated with lower capacity to perform, lower immune function, inflammation and increased vulnerability to infection. 

• Compounds in Shield support the maintenance of the body’s oxidative balance. Viruses and bacteria, heavy metal toxicity, certain medications, physical exertion and even the normal processes of aging can all cause oxidative damage to cells and thereby disrupt the body’s oxidative balance.

• Compounds in Shield support the removal of a wide array of waste substances, originating from both outside and inside, by supporting their excretion process from the body.

• Compounds in Shield support physical performance capacity. Increasing glutathione through supplementation has been shown to improve lipid metabolism and elimination of lactic acid from muscles during exercise, leading to less muscle fatigue. Glutathione depletion has also been shown to adversely affect cellular energy (ATP) metabolism.

• Compounds in Shield support the liver while processing harmful substances.

Oxidative stress

Reactive oxygen species are unstable oxygen-containing molecules that easily react with other molecules in a cell, potentially damaging them. Increase in reactive oxygen species activates the release of pro-inflammatory compounds. The subsequent initiation of inflammatory processes drives the development of further oxidative stress, as inflammation can deplete glutathione, which in turn prolongs the inflammatory state.

Mechanism of Action

Supports glutathione metabolism and the liver.

Duration of Effect

8–10 hours.

Usage

Preventive: take 3 capsules preventively before expected toxin exposure in the next 8–10 hours, preferably on an empty stomach.
Continuous support: take 1–3 capsules daily with off days from time to time, e.g. 5 days of use followed by 2 days off.

Goes well with

Glycine, reduced Glutathione – for supporting glutathione levels

Artichoke, Broccoli – for liver health

Chlorella, Ginseng – for exposure to ethanol

Maintain by Rohtos Labs – for a concerted antioxidant effect

Active Ingredients

Milk Thistle Extract

Milk thistle extract is an herbal extract derived from the milk thistle plant, also known as Silybum marianum. Milk Thistle is originally a native of Southern Europe through to Asia. It is now found throughout the world. 

The extract consists of 80% silymarin and 20% fatty acids, including linoleic acid. Silymarin is a complex mixture of polyphenolic molecules, including seven closely related flavonolignans.

Milk Thistle has traditionally been used to treat liver and gallbladder disorders, balance blood sugar levels and protect the liver from snake bites, alcohol and other environmental poisons.

Nopal- cactus extract

Nopal cactus, Opuntia ficus-indica, is a species of cactus, likely having originated in Mexico. It has long been a crop plant grown throughout arid and semiarid parts of the world. 

Nopal is high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It contains the flavonoids kaempferol and quercetin.

Nopal cactus has traditionally promoted for treating sugar imbalance, high cholesterol, obesity and after-effect of ethanol consumption. It's also touted for its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.

Quercetin

Quercetin is a well researched flavonoid. It is found in many plants and foods, such as red wine, onions, green tea, apples, berries and Ginkgo biloba. 

Like some other flavonoids, Quercetin has antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties. Quercetin is also neuroactive and has liver-protective qualities. It is synergistic with other flavonoids, enhancing their properties.

Quercetin is most commonly taken by mouth to treat conditions of the heart and blood vessels and for arthritis, bladder infections and sugar imbalance.

N-Acetylcysteine

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is an acetylated form of amino acid L-cysteine, a glutathione precursor.  It is typically used for the intention of allowing more glutathione to be produced when it would otherwise be depleted. 

Through glutathione buffering, NAC provides antioxidative effects and other benefits. NAC has been to promote exercise performance by decreasing lactic acid accumulation and oxidative stress. 

Taurine

Taurine is an amino acid, a chemical that is a required building block of protein. Taurine is found in large amounts in the brain, retina, heart, and platelet blood cells called. The best food sources of taurine are meat and fish.

It has been shown that Taurine plays a protective role against many xenobiotics - harmful substances emanating from outside the body. Therefore taurine serves as a hepatoprotective agent.

Piperine

Piperine is the alkaloid responsible for the pungency of black pepper, Piper Nigrum. Piperine can inhibit key liver enzymes that would otherwise break down other molecules faster. Due to this, it is ingested alongside supplements to increase their absorption rates. 

The purpose of piperine in Shield is to increase the absorption and bioavailability of other bioactive compounds and therefore make Overpower more effective. Piperine in Shield is extracted from black pepper and has 95% purity.

Alpha lipoic Acid

Alpha lipoic acid is a mitochondrial compound involved in energy metabolism. It is synthesized in the body and can be consumed through eating meat. It is also present in some fruits and vegetables in trace amounts.

Alpha lipoic acid provides a short but potent reduction of oxidation, which provides benefits for various forms of oxidation and inflammation. These effects protect against liver issues.

Choline bitartrate

Choline bitartrate is a cholinergic compound, ie. a substance which contains choline, and which raises choline availability when consumed. Choline bitartrate is 41% choline by weight. Choline is found in high amounts in eggs.

Choline is an essential nutrient – it is required for normal bodily function and human health. Though the liver can make small amounts, the majority must be obtained from diet.

Choline is a molecule mostly used as a liver health agent to reduce fatty liver buildup, or for its cognitive boosting properties – turning into neurotransmitter acetylcholine. 

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential dietary mineral and the second most prevalent electrolyte in the human body. Prominent sources of magnesium include nuts and leafy vegetables.

Magnesium deficiencies are common in the western diet. Additional causes of magnesium depletion include increased urinary loss. 

High magnesium intake is associated with a reduced risk of liver health issues.

Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral involved in antioxidant enzymes, brain function and the immune system, among many other biological roles. Zinc plays a pivotal in the maintenance of liver function.

Meat, egg, and legume products are common sources of zinc. Different forms of zinc contain different amounts of elemental zinc, which refers to the weight of the zinc molecule by itself. Zinc sulfate monohydrate is approximately 36% zinc by weight.

Zinc administration has been shown to  improve liver function and decrease the cumulative incidence of chronic liver problems over long-term.

Selenium

Selenium is an essential mineral that can be found in organic and inorganic forms. The main active dietary form is selenomethionine, the form used in Shield.

Selenium is consistently high in seafood and generally high in meat and eggs, but subject to considerable variation depending on feed and animal supplementation. Dairy is also a significant source, as are nuts and seeds. Brazil nuts contain the most selenium per gram of any measured food.

Health benefits of selenium boil down to its crucial role in glutathione metabolism as part of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase. Glutathione peroxidases, also known as selenoproteins, are a family of antioxidant enzymes that speed up the reaction between glutathione and free radicals.

References

Glutathione: Overview of its protective roles, measurement, and biosynthesis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2696075/

Glutathione metabolism and its implications for health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14988435

Glutathione synthesis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3549305/

Glutathione transport in mitochondria: defense against TNF-induced oxidative stress and alcohol-induced defect. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9252504/

Glutathione as a Redox Biomarker in Mitochondrial Disease—Implications for Therapy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5447941/

Environmental toxicity, redox signaling and lung inflammation: the role of glutathione. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18760298

Distinct and overlapping functions of glutathione peroxidases 1 and 2 in limiting inflammation through redox-active mechanisms. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31765890

Interaction of bisphenol A metabolite with glutathione and ribonucleosides/deoxyribonucleosides in vitro. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26971050

Glutathione Depletion and Recovery After Acute Ethanol Administration in the Aging Mouse. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1930162/

Glutathione and N-acetylcysteine protection against acetaldehyde embryotoxicity in rat embryos developing in vitro. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20650139

Aging, training and exercise. A review of effects on plasma glutathione and lipid peroxides. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8451550

Physical exercise intensity can be related to plasma glutathione levels. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11519887/

Glutathione supplementation suppresses muscle fatigue induced by prolonged exercise via improved aerobic metabolism. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4328900/

N-Acetylcysteine Attenuates Fatigue Following Repeated-Bouts of Intermittent Exercise: Practical Implications for Tournament Situations. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21896942

N-acetylcysteine supplementation increases exercise performance and reduces oxidative stress only in individuals with low levels of glutathione. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29233792

Acute glutathione depletion restricts mitochondrial ATP export in cerebellar granule neurons. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16172117

Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation: tissue glutathione homeostasis at rest and after exercise. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10194202

Effect of selenium on human myocardial glutathione peroxidase gene expression. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11776067

Quercetin prevents alcohol-induced liver injury through targeting of PI3K/Akt/nuclear factor-κB and STAT3 signaling pathway. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5740530/

N-Acetylcysteine--a safe antidote for cysteine/glutathione deficiency. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17602868