BHT Supplement (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

What is butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)? BHT, or butylhydroxytoluene, is a fat-soluble substance recognized for its powerful antioxidant properties. It is widely used as a preservative in food-processing to prevent rancidity in foods containing specific fats or oils. BHT supplements have recently gained renewed medical interest due to various studies highlighting their remarkable anti-aging properties.

BHT Supplement Benefits

Butylated Hydroxytoluene, or BHT, has been shown to have several properties that could benefit your overall well-being. Before you buy a BHT supplement, consider these benefits.

Combats Aging

The free radical theory of aging suggests that constant exposure to oxidative stress generated by UV light, cigarette smoking, or various sources of ionizing radiation are responsible for the body's decline. This study shows that when mice are persistently subjected to low-dose radiation, the resulting changes are similar to those observed in aging.

Dr. Denham Harman from the University of Nebraska proposed this theory back in 1956. His preliminary experiments with various molecules resulted in an approximate 20% increase in the lifespan of mice. In a second series of experiments, the results of which were published in 1968, Harman tested the effects of BHT and a number of other substances known to inhibit free radical-generated effects on aging and life expectancy. Some of these experiments showed a link in mice between lifelong administration of BHT and increases in lifespan of between 30 and 50%:

• Harman demonstrated that potent antioxidant substances, like BHT, may protect against factors impacting life expectancies, such as genetic susceptibility to certain health conditions, poor diet, and exposure to radiation.
• A team of researchers also exposed mice to low levels of radiation and discovered that the changes that would normally occur were inhibited by the administration of BHT.
• BHT's significant antioxidant potency therefore indicates anti-aging benefits, which protect against the harmful effects of UV rays, smoking, and ionizing radiation.

These and other findings suggest that BHT may play an important role in combating aging.

Powerful Antioxidant

BHT supplements are shown to be high in antioxidants through independent research. That is why it has become one of the most popular anti-aging nutritional supplements.

The protective and anti-aging effects of BHT capsules can be boosted by other supplements available to buy at SuperSmart, including other antioxidants, like Vitamin C. You may be interested in our Asc2P or Liposomal Vitamin C, which is even more powerful than the standard form of Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid). They are both stable, potent, and highly-absorbable forms of Vitamin C. There is also our Coenzyme Q10 supplement, a powerful antioxidant with cardio-protective effects.

Inhibits Some Viruses

BHT has been shown to be remarkably effective at inhibiting a number of viruses that have a lipid membrane. According to scientists, BHT may be able to eliminate the lipid “shields” of viruses or make them permeable, enabling antibodies to successfully attack the viruses.

Another hypothesis suggests it may suppress a protein in the virus's coat, preventing it from attaching itself to a healthy cell in order to replicate. Studies have reported its efficacy against the flu virus.

Initially, BHT was not recommended for people suffering from hepatitis (A, B, or C) because of its presumed hepatotoxicity. However, scientific evidence now suggests it may be a viable option to help relieve its effects. In fact, a study in which a hepatitis C patient was given a combination of BHT and hypericin (a key constituent of St John's Wort) showed that the BHT and hypercin enabled a return to normal, negative values as shown by blood tests carried out at regular intervals.

What do studies show about butylated hydroxytoluene supplements?

Some doctors use BHT in clinical practice to relieve the effects of the Herpes simplex and shingles viruses. In fact, lesions in herpes-infected mice treated with BHT healed faster than those of controls.

If you want to learn more before you buy BHT supplements, consider a few other studies related to BHT:

• When BHT was added to rabbits' diets, it reduced the severity of herpes as well as mortality rates from eye infections.
• In that same study, the majority of the 150 participants who took BHT successfully got rid of herpes.
• In a double-blind human study, sixteen participants with advanced herpes and who were given an external solution of BHT, saw a slight but definite improvement compared with a control group.
• A topical application of BHT was also effective at reducing effects of shingles, producing a rapid decrease in pain and accelerating healing of skin lesions.

How To Take our BHT Supplement?

To maximize the long-term effectiveness of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), we recommend taking 1 capsule of 300 mg, daily. And, as BHT is fat-soluble, it should be taken with a meal that contains some element of fat (e.g. vegetable oil, cheese, butter) in order to improve absorption and bioavailability. In addition, at high doses, BHT can interfere with the body’s ability to break down alcohol, which can exacerbate the already harmful effects of alcohol, especially when consumed in excess.

Also note that while there are no known butylated hydroxytoluene side effects, you should always talk to your doctor before beginning any new supplement regimen. If you experience any BHT supplement side effects, or any adverse effects at all, you should stop taking it immediately.

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