The Liver is a vital organ that plays a major role in various functions of the body. It regulates glycogen storage, decomposition of red blood cells, hormone production, and detoxification among other essential functions. No wonder then that there are a number of supplements touted to protect this vital organ! Listed under are supplements that are good and bad for your liver.
Seafood has taurine which has been shown to have a protective effect against oxidative stress-induced liver damage and fibrosis in rats (R), and omega 3’s the treatment of which may have beneficial effects in regulating liver lipid metabolism, adipose tissue function and inflammation (R).
Omega 3-PUFA supplementation may also decrease liver fat according to one study, however, the current optimal dose is not known (R).
A meta-analysis study indicates that a high level of white meat or fish consumption can reduce the risk of liver cell carcinoma (HCC) significantly (R).
Choline that is abundant in Egg yolks helps detoxification of the liver through the processing of fats and cholesterol. Hence it might be helpful to prevent Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) (R).
Animal Liver contains uridine and choline, which are essential for a healthy liver. Beef liver is the richest source of choline (333 mg in 100 gms of food).
Provision of intravenous choline improves hepatic steatosis associated with parenteral nutrition infusion (bypasses the digestive system and goes directly into the bloodstream) (R).According to one study, when deprived of dietary choline 77% of men and 80% of postmenopausal women developed fatty liver or muscle damage. Subjects had normal organ function restored after incremental amounts of choline were added back to the diet (R).
Chicken has carnosine, which protects against toxin-induced liver injury in rats, due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties (R).
According to one cohort, white meat (like chicken) intake may reduce the risk of chronic liver disease (CLD) and liver cancer (HCC) in men and women (R).
Blueberries and probiotics have protective effects on acute liver injury induced by d-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (R).
Mechanism: They reduce liver cell injury, inflammation, and pro-inflammatory cytokines and improve antioxidant activity.
Also, proanthocyanidins from blueberry leaves suppress the replication of the hepatitis C virus (R).
Beets contain a pigment called betalain which protects the liver from oxidative stress and chronic inflammation such as liver disease (R).
Natural Therapeutic Center