These comments are from the above link in the comments section (a mercola.com post):
If you want to detoxify or simply support your liver, either as part of a treatment or as a precaution, there are some supplements that deserve to be mentioned:
* Milk thistle silymarin: known to clean the liver and to support the regeneration of liver cells.
* Turmeric root extract: boosts the liver enzyme production which supports the breakdown of sugar and fat.
* R-Alpha Lipoic Acid: Supports the liver function by breaking down toxins before the process begins in the liver. Especially if one is heavily medicated and thus compromising the liver, R-ALA should be considered.
* N-Acetyl Cysteine (should be supported by a strong C-Vitamin supplement): will support the liver function by influencing and optimizing the blood inflow.
* Astaxanthin: Of its multitude of benefits one is the detoxification of liver cells.
* Omega 3: for overall support of the blood and its fatty acid balance
In a more general note, vitamin E and A standout, but be wary if supplementing as their liver benefits will counteract when the dosage is too high. For E it is often advised not to exceed 1.200 IU. If it is the pure form of vitamin A, do not exceed 5.000 UI a day as your liver will otherwise be severely compromised. However, If the form of A is as beta carotene then there is no problem at all even in very high dosage.
The above article also mentions; Chlorella, Spirulina, Ginger, Green tea, Resveratrol and Holy Basil. Naturally I agree, but when it comes to detoxification I think especially Chlorella and Spirulina together with Resveratrol offer a supreme program.
-That is a fantastic list. Another supplement worth mentioning is Burdock Root, which can heal a damaged liver and protect it from further damage.
therkildsen, This looks like a useful list. However, I see you have listed Alpha Lipoic Acid. I want to point out that ALA is not the most bioactive form of Lipoic Acid. ALA is synthetic; RLA is the biologically active component. Google differentiates between the two, or look here: www.lef.org/Vitamins-Supplements/Item01208/Super-R-Lipoic-Acid.html
( Be carefull not to mix ALA with ALA. Or said differently, to mix “alpha linolenic acids “ (a plant based Omega3 fatty acid) with “Alpha Lipoic Acid” the one I mention above. Despite the somewhat similar name they have completely different properties.)
(To clear up any possible confusion, the ALA in our Astaxanthin is Alpha-Linolenic Acid, not Alpha Lipoic Acid, and completely avoids the use of synthetic preservative chemicals. 100% natural and non-GMO ingredients are used.--Mercola)
@ Islander: You are absolutely right. The stabilized form of ALA (R-Alpha Lipoic Acid) of this magnificent nutrient has indeed superior absorption. I have read your advocating this form under other topics earlier and I concur completely. I have taken the liberty to correct it in my list above. Thanx.
@ kolibakoliba: I wondered to, but Omega 3 are beyond doubt crucial. Thank for you backup in source material.
@ elenajo: Thank you. In all fairness there are many other supplements that have a recorded benefit for the liver. Consider my list as a kind of program that supports on multiple levels and therefore work in synergy. The Burdock Root has proofed interesting effect and is used in some liver-detoxification programs, but to my knowledge this effect is not completely understood other than its antioxidant properties. Another one that could also be mentioned is Dandelion Root that is said to clean the liver of toxins, largely attributed to its antioxidating abilities and does therefore (IMO) not add much to my list. I am sure some will disagree. A third one that I find interesting and I did not know of until recently is the Artichoke Leaf which, apart from tasting good cooked, is also claimed to boost the production of bile in the liver. Perhaps not relevant for this article, but for general Liver support it has value.
The articles mention several natural agents that can help restore child's metabolic health. Surprisingly, authors failed to mention n-3 PUFA.
The idea that n-3 PUFA may prevent and reverse changes in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has been controversial until recently. Indeed, the dietary supplementation of PUFAs in fatty liver has been questioned by findings in a murine model of steatohepatitis, in which n-3 PUFAs failed to prevent the development of steatohepatitis because of accumulation of hepatic lipoperoxides (1). Another study in rats published recently showed similar effect (2). However, such effect, may be encountered by combination with other antioxidative strategies, such as treatment with vitamin E.
Other studies, however, showed that lipids called protectins and resolvins derived from n-3 PUFA can actually reduce hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance, in obese people (3). Importantly, a pilot study showed that prolonged n-3 PUFA supplementation ameliorates hepatic steatosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(4). Moreover, recent randomised placebo controlled trial showed that DHA supplementation (250 and 500 mg/day) improves liver steatosis and insulin sensitivity in children with NAFLD (5).
For whom ever this may help.I looked in to ways to help the liver for my brother a former drug addict and alcoholic with end stage cirrhosis and ascites(So severe he had to be drained a number of times) facing a liver transplant if he was lucky enough to get one.What I suggested to him and he has been doing every day for months now is a spinach smoothey with various fruits especially blueberries a salad and I think most important outdoor grown flash frozen wheatgrass juice.He is addicted to sugar and won't give up his candy. Despite this a week or so ago his Dr told him that in all his years of practice he has never told a patient that they needed a liver transplant and then told them they don't but that is what he told my brother!His Dr said he was sure he was going to die.He is shocked.
His ascites has improved remarkably also and he looks and feels so much better.It's worth noting that he also has a great tan so I'm sure his vitame d is up and he also takes a supplement that has milk thistle in it.I had been reading about Anne Wigmore and that is what led me to wheatgrass. I also read a study a man did with chickens. Some were fed wheat grass and others a normal diet. The wheat grass fed chickens produced double the amount of eggs and when examined the most notable result was the difference in the appearance of the liver.
The wheatgrass fed ones were deep burgundy in color and shiny vs the dull and beige color of the non wheatgrass group. Jesus was said to have people chew it to heal and the results I've seen are nothing short of miraculous!Just a gut feeling I have makes me suspect that the sudden rise in liver problems are more associated with GM foods and all the chemicals additives,sugar substitutes and pharmaceuticals combined than fructose alone. I think the fructose in soda is mostly from GM corn right?
The B vitamins, Choline and Inositol will help remove fats from the liver, and the Amino acid, L-Carnitine will turn the fats into energy.
Laurie2 - Sorry to hear about your brohter´s diagnosis. As a hepatology specialist, I see about 5-10 such cases daily and 80% of them improve when they STOP DRINKING. In some cases, it is even possible to REVERSE CIRRHOSIS. Of course, healthy nutrition including low carbo diet and wheatgrass and some supplements and hepatoprotective agents are also important. In particular, I would like to emphasize the need of adequate amounts of vitamin K (both K1 and K2), vitamin D, thiamin (especially in alcoholic hepatitis), low carbohydrate diet, grass-fed raw milk, medium chain triglycerides (coconut oil), branched chain amino acids (BCAA), probiotics, milk thistle and Liv-52 (only in compensated cirrhosis). Other usefull tips you can find here:
By the way, regarding wheatgrass it is worth mentioning it is also thought to be superior to other vegetables in its content of Vitamin B12, a vital nutrient. Contrary to popular belief, B12 is not contained within wheat grass or any vegetable, rather it is a byproduct of the microorganisms living on plants. If plants are washed prior to consumption the water soluble B12 will be removed making most plants unreliable sources of B12. Importantly, raw wheat grass is entirely gluten free, as the grass top is cut off before juicing and so there is no gluten berry in wheatgrass.
As a hepatology specialist, it is my duty to warn on the dangers of some herbal preparations.
Although physicians and patients recognize that many conventional drugs cause liver damage, they are less likely to consider the hepatotoxic potential of herbal remedies. Identification of toxicity from herbal preparations is often difficult, because patients generally self-medicate with these products and may withhold this information. Patients may not even consider herbals as medications in the belief that “natural” products are automatically safe. They should recognize that any over-the-counter product, whether natural or synthetic, has the potential for harm.
At least 42% of the general population and a similar proportion of liver disease patients use some form of CAM on a regular basis. Herbal preparations are used by 20% of liver disease patients, the most common herb used being milk thistle or silymarin. Other candidate herbals for liver disease are glycyrrhizin, HM861, TJ-9, and Phyllanthus amarus and Liv-52.. Many of these have been shown to protect against experimental liver injury in vivo, and most possess one or a combination of antioxidant, ntifibrogenic, immune modulatory, or antiviral activities
However, a wide spectrum of liver injury can occur by using herbal preparations. Veno-occlusive disease may be caused by pyrrolizidine alkaloids, such as senecio, heliotropium, crotalaria, and symphytum (Comfrey), compounds are generally ingested as soluble extracts in teas. Chapparal leaf ingestion can lead to the development of either fulminant hepatic failure or cirrhosis. Germander, pennyroyal (squawmint oil), kava, margosa oil, and callilepsis laureola have all been identified as causing an acute, sometimes severe hepatitis. Many traditional Chinese herbal preparations have also been described to cause hepatotoxicity and rarely liver failure.
@kolibakoliba: excellent advice on the wheatgrass and a very useful list of herbs, both the protective and the dangerous ones. I want to add that among other things, pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is an abortifacient and definitely contraindicated for pregnant women.
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