US-based LiT Biosciences has launched a patent-pending botanical supplement formulated to support the body’s natural resilience to everyday environmental stressors. The flagship product, branded LiT Protect, supports individuals who are working to reduce cigarette consumption and manage nicotine cravings.
LiT Protect was developed by environmental toxicologist Albert Li, Ph.D., and medicinal chemist and nicotine metabolism expert Travis Denton, Ph.D. It is based on research in toxicology, human hepatocyte systems, medicinal chemistry, nicotine biochemistry, and botanical formulation.
Botanical extracts featured in the formula include thyme (Thymus vulgaris), oregano (Origanum vulgare), and Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum).
“LiT Protect grew out of a shared scientific perspective on metabolism, toxicology, and how biologically active compounds interact with the body,” says Li.
“Our partnership gave us a natural scientific foundation for developing a botanical dietary supplement that reflects quality formulation, biological rationale, and respect for the body’s normal processes,” Li highlights.
Reducing cravings
LiT Protect’s defense mechanism against environmental stressors spans urban air quality fluctuations, seasonal environmental changes, occupational exposures, and passive smoke in shared spaces.
When used shortly before or during smoking, the supplement helps support the body’s normal metabolic handling of nicotine, which may help extend the time between cigarettes.
Consumers are advised to add one 30 mg drop of LiT Protect to approximately six ounces of tea, water, or another beverage. It can be consumed shortly before smoking, during smoking, or when cravings begin.
LiT Biosciences says its formula was developed with attention to botanical rationale, ingredient quality, responsible dietary supplement positioning, and use levels appropriate for its intended use.
The ingredients in LiT Protect carry generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status for applicable food-use contexts when used appropriately, while aligning with current Good Manufacturing Practices.
Scientific foundations
The product launch leans on the scientific standing of its brand founders, who have studied how biologically active compounds interact with the body’s metabolic and cellular systems.
For example, Li has done extensive research on human hepatocyte technology, used to evaluate metabolic pathways that modify foreign chemical substances, drug-drug interaction potential, and liver toxicity.
He developed a gene mutation assay for evaluating chemical mutagenicity and published research on complex environmental mixtures, including cigarette smoke condensates, diesel exhaust particles, and coal combustion products.
In his research, Denton has created and studied new chemicals that block CYP2A6, an enzyme in the body responsible for breaking down nicotine. These chemicals are some of the strongest and most specific ones ever recorded in scientific research, while one was shown to decrease nicotine intake.
“Formulation should be guided by mechanism, biological plausibility, and disciplined product development. With LiT Protect, we are applying that perspective to botanical product development in a way that emphasizes quality, scientific rigor, and responsible structure/function positioning,” says Denton.
In previous research in the field, scientists found air pollution may significantly worsen insulin resistance and metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes. Research suggests that exposure to fine particles impairs brown adipose tissue function, disrupting its ability to regulate metabolism, which is linked to epigenetic changes in brown fat cells that alter gene regulation.