Living in a world full of toxic substances, we must protect our liver because our lives depend on it. This article talks about five substances that can help our hard-working liver function well.
The liver is one of the hardest working organs in the human body, regulating a range of biological processes that are essential to health, such as metabolism, the production of blood sugar, plasma and cholesterol, and the removal and breakdown of toxins in the blood. And that’s just the beginning of the liver’s functions.
Five liver-protecting substances
With modern life producing more pollutants than ever before and the standard American diet filled with lots of added sugar and ultra-processed foods, it’s no surprise that the liver can benefit greatly from a little gentle nutritional support now and then.
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We’ve identified five liver-protecting substances. In fact, you may already have some of them in your kitchen pantry. These five substances are not only easy to use, but also provide more nutrients for the liver.
1. Curcumin
Curcumin is an active polyphenol found in the culinary spice turmeric. It has many scientifically proven health benefits, including liver protection. Curcumin not only gives turmeric its bright yellow color, but its powerful antioxidant properties also give turmeric many of its health benefits.
Oxidative stress, also known as oxidative stress, causes many inflammatory injuries and damages healthy cells.
Ethanol is the intoxicating ingredient in many alcoholic beverages, but it can also damage the liver. A Chinese research team investigated whether curcumin could reduce the damage to liver cells caused by ethanol.
In this study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, researchers gave mice curcumin and then exposed them to ethanol. The results showed that the mice’s enzyme activity showed less oxidative damage. The researchers concluded that curcumin can improve oxidative damage to liver cells.
2. Coffee
While it is well known that drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver, a diet that consists primarily of processed foods may also be harmful to the liver. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health problem that affects people who drink little or no alcohol. In the United States, NAFLD is the most common chronic liver disease, likely due to the unhealthy state of the standard American diet.
When it comes to trendy eating habits, many of us probably don’t miss our morning cup of coffee. Fortunately for coffee’s many fans, it may also help prevent liver disease.
A meta-analysis published in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology compared the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the risk of further liver fibrosis in people who drink coffee and those who do not. The analysis showed that coffee drinkers had a significantly lower risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and patients with fatty liver disease who drank coffee regularly also had a significantly lower risk of liver fibrosis.
3. Acetylcysteine
NAC, a precursor to the amino acid L-cysteine, is a potent antioxidant. While L-cysteine is found in foods such as poultry, eggs, yogurt, and sulfur-rich vegetables, NAC is only available in supplement form. NAC works by scavenging free radicals, especially molecular oxygen radicals, making it a potentially powerful ally in the treatment of oxidative stress, a key factor in liver disease.
The practice of using large doses of acetaminophen (APAP) for pain relief is still common, despite being increasingly recognized as high-risk. The US Food and Drug Administration has required pharmaceutical companies to limit the amount of acetaminophen in prescription painkillers because patients can easily overdose on it. Overdose of the drug can cause serious or even fatal liver failure.
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NAC has shown promise as a liver protector, in part because it is effective at blocking acetaminophen toxicity. A 2015 U.S. study showed that taking NAC within eight hours of an acetaminophen overdose can reduce liver toxicity. The study suggested that using NAC as an over-the-counter supplement “may provide a convenient and effective way to protect against the toxicity of high-dose acetaminophen.”
4. Ginsenosides
Ginsenosides play a key role in the body’s inflammatory and disease responses and have shown impressive potential in preventing and treating liver disease. Clinical studies have shown that ginsenosides have an ameliorative effect on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.
Another recent study in the American Chemical Society Omega suggests that the anti-inflammatory effects of ginsenosides may promote healthy metabolism of fats by the liver and may reduce liver damage in patients with fatty liver disease. Ginsenosides are extracted from the root of ginseng, and these powerful polyphenols come in supplement form, making them ideal for adding to smoothies or nutritional shakes.
5. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient found in many foods, including wheat germ, nuts, seeds, and green vegetables. The antioxidant properties of vitamin E are important for eye health and the quality of blood and tissues, and it also plays an important role in healthy liver function. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that vitamin E supplementation significantly improved liver function and the quality of liver cells and tissues in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Vitamin E may also protect the liver from oxidative damage caused by formaldehyde, one of the most common household and industrial toxins today, found in products such as carpets, curtains, wood cabinets and furniture, as well as glues, paints, pesticides, cosmetics and detergents.
About the Author: GreenMedInfo is a research team dedicated to investigating important health and environmental issues of today.