FOODS FOR THE LIVER

• Broccoli - and the rest of the brassica family of vegetables are proven to support Phase 2 liver detoxification, eat plenty of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage (all kinds) and kale; in-fact rocket was observed to protect the liver against induced hepatic injury through its potent antioxidant activity. (5)
• Raw fermented vegetables (see recipe) – give increased nutrients and support the health of the colon which in turn aids the liver.
• Onions – all vegetables from this family including leeks, garlic and shallots provide natural mustard oil glycosides that greatly support liver detox processes.

• Beetroot – for blood building (the liver contains 13% of your body’s blood); beetroot (Beta vulgaris) is high in iron, is a good antioxidant and has been shown to protect liver cells.

The hepatoprotective activity of Beta vulgaris may be attributed to its antioxidant (2) and anti-inflammatory (3) activities. The plant is safe to use even in large doses. Phytochemical studies on roots of Beta vulgaris have shown the presence of betaine, betacyanins, betaxanthins, oxalic acid, and ascorbic acid. (4)

• Turmeric – a common spice you can add to soups, casseroles, curries and rice. Turmeric protects the liver against oxidative stress, improves blood circulation and improves liver function and detoxification processes.

It has been shown that curcumin found in turmeric is very effective in preventing liver damage induced by paracetamol overdose, and that the level of protection afforded by curcumin against paracetamol-induced liver damage is comparable to that of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), which is presently the main clinical treatment for paracetamol overdose in humans. (8)

• Grapefruit - Studies conducted over past decades have suggested that the grapefruit might be active in cellular regeneration, cholesterol reduction, the detoxifying process, and the maintenance of heart health, in rheumatoid arthritis, for the control of body weight, and in cancer prevention. Grapefruit juice is an excellent source of many phytochemicals and nutrients that contribute to a healthy diet. It reduces fat accumulation in the liver and increases liver enzymes involved detoxification. (17)

• Berries - These include Blueberries (Bilberry), Cranberry and Grape due to anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins.

The results of one study indicated that treatment with Bilberry significantly increased the liver enzymes, and spleen function, improving the proliferation of lymphocytes deriving from this organ. In conclusion, the authors suggested that consuming this berry type protected Liver hepatocytes from Oxidative Stress and could modulate the function of immune cells.

It is important to remember that the anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins like those found in berries are also widely available in fruits, vegetables, and seeds of natural origin. (17)

HERBS FOR THE LIVER

• Chamomile: Results have confirmed that the chamomile extract has reversal effects on the levels of paracetamol hepatotoxicity, and the authors concluded that the extract served as a hepatoprotective agent and that this hepatoprotective activity of chamomile might be due to the normalization of impaired membrane function activity. (17)

• Milk thistle: The seeds are well known for liver protection properties. Milk Thistle helps repair of damaged liver tissue and aids liver detoxification. A well known hepatic antioxidant, silymarin, from the milk thistle (Silybum marianum), inhibits liver damage by scavenging free radicals among other mechanisms. This powerful antioxidant protects the liver against alcohol and pharmaceutical injury and even poisoning from extremely toxic compounds. (9)

Milk Thistle is one of the most investigated plant extracts, with known mechanisms of action for oral treatment of toxic liver damage. Silymarin has been used as a protective treatment in acute and chronic liver diseases. (17)

It also acts by stimulating liver cell regeneration and cell membrane stabilization to prevent hepatotoxic agents from entering hepatocytes (17)

• Golden seal: The root contains substances that protect the liver, aid liver function and are antimicrobial. Another great liver stimulant and protector. One study demonstrated that berberine (from golden seal) possesses hepatoprotective effects against liver toxicity and that the effects are both preventive and curative. Berberine should have potential for developing a new drug to treat liver toxicity. (10)

Results of another study show that Golden seal reduces acetominaphen (paracetemol) toxicity, and related  acute liver failure. (11)

• Dandelion: The leaf and root gently support liver, gall bladder and kidney function. Results of one study suggest that the extract of Dandelion root has protective action against alcohol-induced toxicity in the liver by elevating antioxidative potentials and decreasing lipid peroxidation. (12)

• Wormwood: bitter properties in the leaf stimulate liver secretions and kill parasites. It is long known that the bitter constituent stimulate the gustatory nerves in the mouth and increase the secretion of gastric juice and bile, thereby promoting appetite and digestion. (13)
• Turkish Rhubarb: Moderate doses stimulate a sluggish liver and bowel helping your liver to detoxify it’s own cells as well as the blood passing through it. There is some evidence of the protective potential of this herb against liver injury due to multiple causes (14)

In another study Turkish Rhubarb targeted liver metabolic and immune pathways and may be bene icial for complex metabolic diseases such fatty liver disease. (15)

• Kiwifruit: As an antioxidant it protects the liver and has been shown to inhibit certain cancers. Use only organic kiwifruit to completely avoid the heavy sprays normally used. Data reported in one study suggested a bene icial effect of kiwi fruit peptides on the physiology of human intestine. (16)
• Barley grass: A good source of superoxide dismutase (SOD) a group of enzymes important to a healthy liver.

SOD aids in Phase 2 liver detoxi ication. Barley grass supplementation sustains liver anti-oxidative enzymes, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, at transcriptional and enzymatic levels, thus suppressing oxidative stress markers. (6)

• Spirulina: Liver examinations have revealed that Spirulina is potent in protecting the liver from toxic lesions and preserved the liver cell (hepatocyte) structure.

Lesions including necrosis, lymphocyte in iltration, ballooning degeneration, and hepatocyte injury, as well as irregular lamellar organization, dilation of the endoplasmic reticula, and the presence of great numbers of cytoplasmic vacuolizations, were reversed by Spirulina. (17)

In other words, Spirulina heals the liver.