The supplement S-methylmethionine (SMM) may help defend against a common cause of liver damage, according to a recent study. SMM is a molecule found at high levels in a number of plants, including cabbage and wheat.
In tests on mice, researchers discovered that SMM protected against liver toxicity induced by intake of acetaminophen, a pain reliever found in Tylenol and other over-the-counter medicines used to treat conditions like headache, muscle aches, arthritis, back pain, toothaches, colds, and fevers. While acetaminophen isn't considered harmful when consumed at normal levels, excessive intake may lead to the buildup of byproducts known to cause severe liver damage. In fact, acetaminophen overdose is the most common cause of liver failure and liver transplantation in the U.S., according to the study's authors.
If you're looking to reduce your use of acetaminophen, consider trying an herbal remedy that may help ease pain-triggering inflammation. A number of anti-inflammatory herbs (including white willow bark and devil's claw) have proven useful in managing pain-causing conditions in previously published studies.
There are a quite a few essential oils that are excellent for bringing down inflammation and dealing with pain at the same time, for example Black Pepper, Nutmeg, Orange, Plai, Neroli, Poplar (Black cottonwood var.), West Indian Bay, Linden Blossom and Tarragon to name a few. The fast relief is due to the oils being more concentrated than just the herbs. See a essential oil specialist for these oils to be sure that they have not been diluted or polluted.