It’s one of the most important organs in your body. And it takes a beating.
Your liver.
More than 500 functions depend on it.1 It removes bacteria from your blood. It keeps your immune response fast. But one of its most important jobs is protecting you from toxins.
Don’t wait until you have a problem with your liver to start supporting it. Here are 5 natural solutions that protect your liver from disease.
| If your liver isn’t working right, it can lead to some unexpected side effects. These include weight gain, constipation, and indigestion. It may even be responsible for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. |
1. Glutathione:
We call it the “master antioxidant.” And there’s a good reason for that. Glutathione has the power to rid your body of heavy metals like mercury. But it also fights cellular damage from free radicals.
Without enough of it, your liver cannot protect you from toxins, bacteria, and oxidative stress. Consider cirrhosis for a minute. Not surprisingly, it causes a major lack of glutathione in your liver cells.2
You can find glutathione as a supplement online. We suggest you get it in liposomal form. But if you want to make your body produce more of it naturally, try eating sulfur-rich foods like garlic, onion, and broccoli.
2. Saffron:
This bold red spice packs some serious flavor. It’s also a major supporter of your liver health. Saffron has the power to slow tumor growth. Getting enough of it might prevent liver cancer from forming in the first place.
Researchers in one study induced liver cancer in animals for 22 straight weeks. At the end of the study, they found that eating saffron led to fewer tumors. The group that ate the most every day didn’t have any signs of liver cancer at all.3
Fresh saffron isn’t always easy to find. But it’s better than the powdered kind. This usually gets mixed with other, cheaper powders. If you can get fresh saffron, you want it to be as red as possible. The tips of real saffron will be a lighter, almost orange color.4
3. Milk Thistle:
Milk thistle is often given to patients in Europe to accompany treatment with medications known to cause liver damage.5 And it makes perfect sense. There’s a compound in milk thistle that helps the liver regenerate its cells. Called silymarin, it’s a 2,000 year old secret to fighting liver damage.
It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the liver. It shields your cells against toxins and viruses.6
Milk thistle is a popular ingredient in detox and liver support supplements. But you can also find its extract as a supplement on its own. It is also available in several different varieties of tea.
4. Activated Charcoal:
It does more than make your teeth white. Activated charcoal is used to prevent poisoning and drug overdoses.7 That’s because it binds to toxins like heavy metals. This allows your body to pass them without harm. Chronic exposure to these toxins causes allergic reactions, rapid aging, and a weak immune system.8
You can take this after eating something you know you probably shouldn’t have. Taking it before bed allows your body detox while you sleep. And frankly, it’s a great way to avoid a hangover if you had one too many drinks.
You can get this as a supplement at health stores and online. Look for a brand that has a higher amount per serving to experience fast, powerful liver protection.
5. Curcumin
It gives turmeric its golden color. It’s also what makes turmeric so good for your liver. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that keep disease at bay.
Many studies have found that fermented turmeric powder significantly lowers the amount of enzymes associated with liver damage.9 One study shows that curcumin directly prevents the development of liver cirrhosis in rats.
You can get curcumin naturally from turmeric. You can also find it as a supplement in most health stores and online. Just make sure that the curcumin comes from a natural source so that your liver doesn’t try to fight it off.
Your liver is too important to ignore. And with the amount of toxins that we face on a daily basis, it could definitely use some extra support.
Don’t wait until there’s a problem with your liver to give it what it needs. You can start making it stronger today with any one of these natural solutions.
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References:
1 http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/liver_biliary_pancreatic_disease/liver_ anatomy_function/Pages/index.aspx
2 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8123202
3 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hep.24433/abstract
4 http://whatscookingamerica.net/saffron.htm
5 http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=21817
6 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20564545
7 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3516107
8 http://www.bulletproofexec.com/bulletproof-upgraded-coconut-charcoal/
9 http://science.naturalnews.com/2007/2846754_Prevention_of_liver_cirrhosis_in_rats_by_curcumin.html
