Take Care of Your Liver!
March 2, 2021
NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE AND GLUTATHIONE!
The holidays are upon us and we typically overindulge in sweets, high carb foods, processed toxic foods, and plenty of alcohol, all of which have a negative impact on our liver, our MOST IMPORTANT DETOX ORGAN!
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the accumulation of excess fat in the liver in the absence of alcohol abuse, currently affects between 30 and 40 percent of the United States population - leading experts to describe the growing incidence of the disease as an “epidemic.” While NAFLD can be mild, roughly one out of five cases will progress to steatohepatitis (a more severe form of the disease), thereby setting the stage for liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and death.
Incidentally, from 2000 to 2015, death rates for chronic liver disease and cirrhosis in the United States jumped by 31 percent among people aged 45 to 64 years.
The liver - a three-pound organ nestled right under the ribcage - is a virtual superhero when it comes to detoxifying the body, cleansing the blood and fighting infections. But, the barrage of environmental toxins to which we are exposed on a regular basis - a “witch’s brew” of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, secondhand smoke and industrial emissions - exerts a toxic burden that can impair liver function and health.
Add to this toxic burden: the adverse effects of mercury dental fillings, toxic medications, alcohol use, sedentary lifestyle and the sugar-laden, GMO - heavy Standard American Diet - and it’s clear the detoxifying powers of the liver are being challenged like no other time in history.
That’s the bad news. Now, for the good news...An array of non-toxic natural nutrients awaits, ready to go to work combating liver damage - reducing fatty deposits and helping the liver regenerate and renew itself.
Here are the top 10 herbs and supplements that - when used with lifestyle changes such as exercise and proper nutrition, can help..
Regenerate your Liver: 10 Powerful Remedies
- Milk thistle extracts improve liver function on many levels
- Glutathione, the body’s “master antioxidant,” is a major player in liver health
- The anti-inflammatory power of ginger for optimal liver health
- Curcumin in turmeric helps to “put the brakes on” NAFLD
- The mighty mineral zinc offers powerful effects against fatty liver disease
- Vitamin C helps to neutralize toxins within the liver
- Alpha lipoic acid rejuvenates the liver naturally without negative side effects
- Get proactive about your liver health with probiotics
- CoQ10 may help reverse NAFLD and prevent progression to NASH
- Phosphatidylcholine promotes the breakdown of fats and the regrowth of liver cells
GLUTATHIONE, THE BODY’S “MASTER ANTIOXIDANT”, IS A MAJOR PLAYER IN LIVER HEALTH
Glutathione, a disease-fighting natural molecule found in every cell, is often described as the body’s master antioxidant. Its tasks include neutralizing free radicals, preventing oxidative damage, protecting delicate cell mitochondria, repairing DNA and transporting vital amino acids in and out of cells.
Glutathione also acts as a sort of “bodyguard” and facilitator for other indispensable antioxidants - recycling and renewing the body’s stores of vitamin C, vitamin E, alpha lipoic acid and CoQ10.
In addition, glutathione contains sulfur, which binds to toxins and free radicals and helps flush them harmlessly from the body. In a study published in BMC Gastroenterology, researchers found that 300mg of glutathione a day for four months helped to decrease liver enzymes, indicating a reduction in liver damage and inflammation.
While life-sustaining glutathione is abundant in young people, levels drop with normal aging. Other threats to glutathione levels include age, illness, injury, stress, environmental toxins and medications like, acetaminophen and antibiotics.
Keep in mind, insufficient levels of glutathione can cripple the detoxification process - causing inflammation to worsen and setting the stage for degenerative disease. For example, researchers have found that people with low glutathione levels are more likely to suffer heart attacks. Therefore, to say the obvious: it’s so important to safeguard stores of this precious substance.
Although experts advise consuming at least 250 mg of dietary glutathione a day, most Americans - with about 35 mg a day - fall short of the mark. You can increase your dietary glutathione intake with organic asparagus, avocado, spinach, okra, cantaloupe and citrus fruits.
But, it’s also important to consume foods that are rich in cysteine, a primary building block of glutathione. Cruciferous vegetables - such as organic Brussels sprouts, cabbage and kale - can offer significant support, as well as organic, cage-free eggs.
Another way to support your glutathione levels is to consume undenatured, raw grass-fed whey protein – which is a great source of cysteine. Overall, eating an organic diet - free of pesticides and GMOs - drinking pure water and limiting exposure to pesticides can also help protect glutathione levels.
Plus, certain supplements - including N-acetyl cysteine, alpha lipoic acid and the mineral selenium - can help to recycle glutathione, while silymarin has been shown to increase glutathione levels in the liver by 35 percent.
When it comes to oral supplementation, some natural health experts question its value, maintaining that glutathione is broken down too quickly in the digestive tract to be of benefit. However, if you would like to try supplementation, look for an acetylated form of glutathione – which increases its bioavailability. Integrative physicians typically recommend from 200 to 500 mg of glutathione daily.
Glutathione is the body’s essential health AID - Antioxidant, Immune Booster and Detoxifier. In fact, your life depends on glutathione. Without it, your cells would disintegrate from unrestrained oxidation, your body would have little resistance to bacteria, viruses, and cancer, and your liver would shrivel up from the eventual accumulation of toxins. We also recommend Glutathione to protect and lessen the harmful inflammatory responses to Covid-19.
Please take care of your liver - it is crucial to your health and quality of life! I have been personally taking Acetyl-Glutathione for over 15 years and I have never felt more protected or better! I am here for you to answer your questions and help you achieve quality of life.
Susan Merenstein, Pharmacist and Owner
www.MAApgh.com | www.LabNaturalsCBD.com