THE
LIVER
AND
DETOXIFICATION
More
than
ever
before
in the
history
of
mankind,
human
beings
need to
have
healthy
livers
to break
down the
chemicals
that
have
crept
into our
environment.
If you
talk to
radiologists
and
gastroenterologists
who are
looking
at
people's
livers
today
they
will
tell you
that the
condition
"Fatty
Liver"
affects
more
than 50%
of
people
over the
age of
50!
Liver
Disease
The liver is the largest organ in the body
and it has many vital tasks to perform. For example, it gets rid
of or neutralizes toxins (such as poisons, germs, and bacteria)
in the blood and controls infection. The liver also produces
proteins that regulate blood clotting and bile that helps absorb
fats and fat-soluble vitamins.
Signs and Symptoms
Fatigue and weakness
Loss of appetite, weight loss, and nausea
Small, red spider-like blood vessels under the skin
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
Redness of the palms of the hands (palmar erythema)
Swelling of the belly caused by fluid retention (ascites)
Swelling of the legs, feet, and back caused by fluid buildup (edema)Breast
development in males and, possibly, shrinking testicles
Whole body itching (called pruritus)
Mental confusion (called hepatic encephalopathy), caused by a
buildup in the blood of harmful toxins
Antioxidants
There is some preliminary laboratory evidence that antioxidants,
like vitamin E and selenium, may help protect against liver
damage and cirrhosis. For example, low selenium levels may
worsen the toxic effects of alcohol on the liver. It is not
clear, however, whether selenium supplementation can help
prevent or treat liver damage. Eating fresh fruits, vegetables,
and whole grains is a great way to include antioxidants in your
diet.
Betaine
Betaine is a nutrient that mainly helps your heart and blood
vessels and also helps to clear certain toxins from the body.
Studies with rats have suggested that betaine may help protect
against fatty deposits in the liver, which can occur from
chronic alcohol use, protein malnutrition, obesity, poorly
controlled diabetes, and other causes. A few studies on people
have also been conducted. In one preliminary study, 10 people
with fatty liver disease from causes other than alcohol received
betaine for up to one year. All of the participants had
improvement in liver function tests and a reduced amount of fat
and other changes in the liver itself. In another larger,
better-designed study that took place in Italy, nearly 200
patients received either betaine, in combination with two other
substances, or a placebo. Those who received the betaine
combination supplement had improved liver function, reduced fat
in the liver, and diminished abdominal pain. Further research is
needed to confirm these findings and to see whether it is the
betaine that is specifically responsible for the benefit to the
liver.
Carnitine
Carnitine is a substance produced in the liver and elsewhere
that helps the body convert fatty acids into energy. Some
researchers speculate that alcohol consumption reduces the
ability of carnitine to function properly. This can lead to a
buildup of fat in the liver. Supplementation with carnitine has
been shown to prevent and reverse the damage caused by
alcohol-induced fatty buildup in the liver of animals. Studies
on people are needed.
Omega-6 fatty acids
Preliminary research suggests that gamma-linolenic acid (GLA),
an omega-6 essential fatty acid found in evening primrose oil (EPO)
and borage seed oil, may help lessen cravings for alcohol and
prevent liver damage. More research is needed in this area.
S-adenosylmethionine
(SAMe)
S-Adenosylmethionine or SAMe is a naturally occurring
antioxidant that is involved in many biochemical processes in
the body. This compound has been under investigation for many
years in Europe for the treatment of liver disease. Preliminary
research suggests that it may provide protection against liver
damage and scarring and may improve survival rates in people
with cirrhosis due to alcohol abuse. Animal studies also suggest
that SAMe may protect the liver from damage after acetaminophen
overdose. More research is needed to test the safety and
effectiveness of this supplement for preventing and treating
liver disease.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae found in many ponds and
lakes. It is considered a complete protein because well over
half of it consists of amino acids -- the building blocks of
protein. There is some preliminary evidence that spirulina may
help protect against liver damage and cirrhosis in those with
chronic hepatitis. More research is needed in this area.
Other
People with cirrhosis may be deficient in zinc and vitamin K. It
is not known whether supplementation with zinc is helpful in
treating the disease, and while vitamin K is often used to help
prevent excessive bleeding in people in the earlier stages of
liver disease, it is generally not very helpful once cirrhosis
has set in.
Herbs
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the
body and treating disease. Herbs, like medications, contain
active substances that can trigger side effects and interact
with other herbs, supplements, or medications. People with liver
disease must be particularly careful because the liver processes
almost everything we ingest. For these reasons, herbs should be
taken with extreme care and only under the supervision of a
practitioner knowledgeable in the field of herbal medicine.
Celery Seed (Apium graveolens)
Ayurvedic physicians have used celery seed to treat people with
certain ailments of the liver. Plus, a few animal studies
suggest that certain ingredients in celery seed may have
activity to help protect the liver from damaging agents such as
acetaminophen. Further scientific investigation is needed.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Dandelion is a natural diuretic and, therefore, has been used
traditionally by herbal specialists for a wide range of
conditions requiring mild diuretic treatment such as liver
disease with excessive fluid.
Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)
Population-based studies have shown that men who drink more than
10 cups of green tea per day are less likely to develop
disorders of the liver. More specifically, green tea may protect
the liver from the damaging effects of toxic substances such as
alcohol. More rigorous scientific study would help clarify
safety and effectiveness of this use. Also, green tea has large
amounts of vitamin K and, therefore, may help replenish this
necessary vitamin in the early phases of liver damage (see
earlier discussion in Nutrition and Dietary Supplements).
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Licorice root has been used in both Eastern and Western medicine
to treat a variety of illnesses, including liver disease.
Although premature to draw conclusions, some preliminary data
from Japanese researchers suggests that taking glycyrrhizin (an
active component of licorice root) in combination with cysteine
and glycerine may prove useful for helping reduce the risk of
cirrhosis if you have hepatits C. Those participating in the
study received these substances intravenously. More research is
warranted.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)
Milk thistle has been used since Greco-Roman times as an herbal
remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver problems.
Today, many professional herbalists recommend milk thistle
extract for the prevention and/or treatment of various liver
disorders including viral hepatitis. Several scientific studies
lend support to this traditional use because they suggest that
active substances in milk thistle (particularly silymarin)
protect the liver from damage caused by viruses, toxins,
alcohol, and certain drugs such as acetaminophen. However, in a
comprehensive review of studies on milk thistle by the U.S.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), milk thistle
improved liver function in people with mild liver disease but
was less effective for those with severe liver disease such as
cirrhosis.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Animal studies provide evidence that turmeric may protect the
liver from a number of damaging substances such as carbon
tetrachloride and acetaminophen. Turmeric accomplishes this, in
part, by helping to clear such toxins from the body and by
protecting the liver from damage. Research in people is needed.
Mandarins
'cut
liver
cancer
risk'
Eating
mandarins
may cut
the risk
of
developing
liver
cancer
and
other
diseases,
research
suggests.
Japanese
scientists
found
the key
were
vitamin
A
compounds
called
carotenoids
which
give the
fruit
its
orange
colour.
One
study
found
eating
mandarins
cut the
risk of
liver
disease,
hardened
arteries
and
insulin
resistance.
And a
second
found
drinking
the
fruit's
juice
cut the
risk of
patients
with
chronic
viral
hepatitis
developing
liver
cancer.
Garlic
compounds
may stop
liver
cancer
growth
04/05/2006
-
Water-soluble
compounds
from
garlic
reduced
the size
of liver
cancer
cells by
a factor
of
three,
research
that
adds to
other
anti-cancer
studies
with
garlic,
says a
new
laboratory
study
from
Italy.Consumer
awareness
of the
health
benefits
of
garlic,
mostly
in terms
of
cardiovascular
and
immune
system
health,
has
benefited
the
supplements
industry,
particularly
since
consumers
seek the
benefits
of
garlic
without
the
odours
that
accompany
the
fresh
bulb.
High fat
and
sugar
diet
raises
liver
disease
risk
10/4/2005
- People
with
high fat
and
sugar
diets
increase
their
risk of
liver
problems,
confirms
a new
study.This
latest
research
fuels an
ever-growing
fire
that a
diet
with
high
levels
of sugar
and fat
intake
may
contribute
to
obesity-related
liver
disease.Science
is
dedicating
increasing
time and
resources
to
improve
our
knowledge
of the
growing
phenomenon
of
obesity.
Defined
as a
Body
Mass
Index
over 30,
obesity
is a
risk
factor
for a
host of
illnesses
including
heart
disease,
hypertension,
diabetes
and
respiratory
disease.
But
fresh
figures
released
recently
show
numbers
are far
from
levelling
off,
with
more
than 200
million
adults
across
the EU
overweight
or
obese.
Cellular discovery could
aid liver repair
U.S. researchers say they've found a cellular receptor that
could help in early interventions or therapy in liver disease.
They say the cellular receptor is involved in triggering cell
death, which is a necessary component of tissue repair and
regeneration immediately following liver injury, UPI reported.
Katerina Akassoglou, Ph.D. assistant professor in the University
of California San Diego's Department of Pharmacology, and
colleagues describe the mechanism by which cells associated with
liver damage -- called hepatic stellate cells or HSCs -- are
activated by a cell surface molecule called the p75 neurotrophin
receptor, p75NTR, to promote repair in the liver.Much
therapeutics for liver disease target HSCs in order to kill
them, but our study in animal models found that their initial
activity could actually be protective, Akassoglou said.
If you use herbs, do so
responsibly. Consult your doctor about your health conditions and use of
herbal supplements. Herbs may be harmful if taken for the wrong
conditions, used in excessive amounts, combined with prescription drugs
or alcohol, or used by persons who don't know what they are doing. Just
because an herbal remedy is natural, does not mean it is safe! There are
herbs that are poisonous such as Poison Hemlock, Jimson weed, and many
more.
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