Herbal Food Products with Potent Properties to Safeguard the Liver by Blocking Toxins

The liver is an essential organ that performs a number of functions in our bodies. Be it the natural detoxification process, the processing of proteins and fats, or the production of hormones, your liver takes care of it all. But it also needs to be cared for to work efficiently. This can make you wonder—how should I do that? Can you achieve it by including some particular food items in your diet?

In this article, we’ll answer these questions and introduce you to the common herbal food products for good liver health.

You may have heard of the term nutraceuticals. What are they? These are the food products that, in addition to being nourishing, also have medicinal qualities. As your food choices greatly influence your liver’s health, knowing about nutraceutical food supplements that are liver-friendly and protect it from toxins can be helpful. Here are the top ten of them:

Artichoke leaf extract has been linked with hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) action and improves the liver’s detoxification capacity and bile flow. It also has anti-oxidizing properties and is generally safe with fewer side effects.

You can consume fresh artichokes in their raw form, cook them, or take artichoke extract supplements.

A study examining the effect of aloe vera gel on liver toxicity due to acetaminophen in rats indicated its liver-protecting action. The research further proposed that aloe vera gel could replace N-acetylcysteine, a commonly used drug for acetaminophen overdosing, as a more effective and economical option in humans.

You may add aloe vera gel to your smoothies or salads, drink its juice, or consume its nutraceutical capsules or tablets.

According to a 2013 South Korean study, it may help prevent and treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

You can also include fresh dandelion leaves in your salad and use dandelion root extract as a substitute for tea and coffee.

According to an animal study, extracts of the false daisy (bhringraj) plant can shield the liver from the toxin carbon tetrachloride-induced acute hepatitis. Though the domestic and industrial use of carbon tetrachloride is largely banned, it is still used in some industries. Being highly toxic, it can damage multiple organs like the liver, kidneys, and lungs.

Bhringraj powder can be had along with warm water once or twice daily.

Ginger can be used as a natural food supplement for the prevention and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, one of the most common liver diseases. Ginger extract has also been found to prevent liver cancer by preventing the growth of cancerous cells and inducing apoptosis (the normal and controlled death of cells) in rats. However, further research is required to establish ginger’s efficacy as a liver-protecting agent through clinical trials.

You have multiple options for consuming ginger syrup: tea, porridge, fruit salad, or dishes like roasted carrots, baked chicken, stir-fries, etc.

It has been demonstrated that Phyllanthus niruri, or the gale of the wind, plant effectively prevents liver cirrhosis in rats that is brought on by thioacetamide toxicity. Thioacetamide is a chemical used in laboratories and industries and can cause hepatotoxicity (liver damage from drugs or chemicals).

You can use Phyllanthus niruri capsules as a hepatoprotective food supplement.

According to a study on rats, pretreatment with the neem seed compound azadirachtin can aid in preventing liver damage from carbon tetrachloride toxicity.

Neem leaves and seeds are available in the form of juice, powder, capsules, tablets, or syrup.

Licorice has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidizing properties and can protect the liver against alcohol-induced injury, according to a 2016 study. Licorice is frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating liver injuries.

You can have licorice through tea, capsules, or as a liquid nutraceutical food supplement.

Milk thistle fruits and seeds contain the compound silymarin, which blocks toxins such as acetaminophen, phenylhydrazine, carbon tetrachloride, and alcohol and prevents liver injury. Silymarin is used for treating hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, and hepatotoxicity. Milk thistle leaves and seeds are available in ground form or tea bags.

Milk thistle supplements are sold as capsules, tablets, or liquid extracts.

Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, can have a positive effect on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease when administered in high doses, as per a scientific review of trials examining its effect on liver disease. Curcumin food supplement are also considered relatively safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

You can include turmeric powder in your diet through various recipes that use it or by consuming turmeric capsules or tablets.

Having learned about the herbal food products that can help keep your liver healthy, let’s delve into the causes of liver problems.

The liver helps remove toxins from the body, a role that also makes it prone to their negative effects. Toxins can damage the liver and eventually lead to its failure. Liver toxicity can result from a variety of causes, such as:

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a leading cause of acute liver failure in the US and may occur suddenly (acute response) or over time (chronic response) after taking a particular medicine. DILI can either be dose-dependent, i.e., occurring from an overdose of the drug, or even independent of the drug’s dose, duration, and mode of administration. Some common drugs responsible for liver injury include:

• Acetaminophen: In the case of overdose.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: particularly sulindac and diclofenac.
• Isoniazid: Risk factors include age, existing liver disease, alcohol abuse, and genetics.
• Corticosteroids: In the case of higher doses and long-term use.

While your liver can tolerate a few occasional drinks, things start getting bad once you make it a habit. Women are at a higher risk of developing alcoholic liver disease, and your chances of getting it increase if you are obese and consume a diet high in fats. There are three stages to the damage that alcohol abuse causes:

1. Alcoholic fatty liver: Fat accumulates in the liver cells.
2. Alcoholic hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver cells.
3. Alcoholic cirrhosis: Severe and irreversible damage to the liver.

Daily-use products like cleaning agents, fabrics, and food packaging material contain a type of chemical known as polyfluoroalkyls (PFAs). Also known as forever chemicals, these substances break down very slowly and accumulate in our bodies. They have been linked with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which can cause inflammation and scarring of the liver and damage it.

Contrary to the general belief that herbal products are safe because they are natural, there have been cases of liver damage from herbal medicines and supplements.

Over-the-counter herbal supplements have been linked to acute liver failure, according to a study based on data from a Northern California healthcare system. Herbal food supplements for bodybuilding and weight loss are one of the leading causes of liver injury. Therapeutic herbs that can harm your liver include:

• Greater celandine
• Kava
• Black cohosh
• Comfrey
• Tea plant

Finally, we’ll see how you can ensure that your herbal food products are safe and effective.

As herbal medicines and food supplements can have negative side effects or interact with other medications, it is important to consult a doctor before starting with them. Visit a naturopathic physician to get the right herbal medicines and supplements prescribed for you and avoid self-diagnosis and medication. Find a practitioner who is licensed (in some states) and has a good educational and professional background.

Please be aware that the FDA does not approve of herbal supplements, so you must rely on their manufacturers for safety and accurate labeling. This is true for other types of health products, like vitamin and mineral capsules and beef liver supplements. If you develop any adverse side effects from using a herbal health product, contact your physician immediately and follow their advice.

Following these simple guidelines will help you stay safe and healthy while exploring herbal food products or supplements for better health.