Research shows that natural compounds such as artichoke, black cumin seed, dandelion, milk thistle, L-carnitine and magnesium can help a toxic liver recover. Here are 8 useful compounds to reduce liver toxicity.
In the article ‘How to ruin immunotherapy drug effectiveness and cause Liver Toxicity’, we covered research that steroids such as Prednisolone, don’t really help reduce the time taken to recover a fully healthy liver. But with a toxic liver do you really want to simply do nothing?
Here are some supplements that research shows really could help you reduce your recovery time.
Magnesium - it is essential to the liver, but all drugs reduce levels in the body; as does a poor diet, dairy, and stress. Supplement with 350-500 mg per day.
Milk Thistle - is protective and restorative for the liver against all manner of compounds from alcohol to drugs (1)
Dandelion - Can protect and restore the liver even after liver failure (2).
Vitamin B6 - Vitamin B6 administration significantly reduces hepatic fat accumulation (3).
Artichoke - Supplementation decreases AST and ALT levels (4).
Black radish - protects and restores against liver injury. For example (5)
Black Cumin Seed - N.sativa intervention significantly decreases ALT, AST, LDL-C, TGs, and improved HDL-C levels (6).
L-Carnitine - supplementation significantly lower ALT and AST levels normalising ALT (7).
Overcoming Liver Toxicity - What else?
NAC - N-Acetyl Cysteine has research showing that it can help in certain cases of Liver Toxicity probably due to stimulating glutathione levels (8).
Green juices, crushed flaxseed, onions and garlic would also help for the same reason.
Some people use a tablespoon of Epsom salts in Lukewarm water before bed, once per month to help clean the liver.
Anecdotal use of Boldo tea, a medicinal-tasting tea from Boldo leaves, suggests it is good for cleaning the liver and kidnets and promotes the flow of bile. Other anecdotal claims relate to Chanca, or Quebra Pedra, a herb from South America having similar effects with liver, bile and kidneys.
Avoid Berberine, Turmeric, and off label drugs such as Metformin, Atorvastatin and Mebendazole as they may further damage the liver.
Drink only water, avoid alcohol, avoid oil, seasonings, dairy and fat.
Consume vegetables - particularly salad and colours.
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References
1. Milk Thistle: Effects on Liver Disease and Cirrhosis and Clinical Adverse Effects: Summary; C Mulrow et al;
2. Protective Effects of Taraxacum officinale L. (Dandelion) Root Extract in Experimental Acute on Chronic Liver Failure; Iulia Olimpia Pfingstgraf et al; Antioxidants (Basel). 2021 Apr; 10(4): 504.
3. Vitamin B6 efficacy in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: J Clin Biochem Nutr; 2021 Mar;68(2):181-186.
4. Effects of Artichoke Supplementation on Liver Enzymes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials; Mohammad Amini et al; Clin Nutr Res. 2022 Jul; 11(3): 228–239.
5. Black Radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. niger) Extract Mediates Its Hepatoprotective Effect; Meejung Ahn et al; J Med Food. 2018 Sep;21(9):866-875.
6. The effect of Nigella sativa on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis; Anoop Tiwari et al; Human Nutrition & Metabolism, Volume 28, June 2022, 200146
7. Impact of l-Carnitine Supplementation on Liver Enzyme Normalization in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease; Meta Analysis; Hyunwoo Oh et al; J Pers Med. 2022 Jul; 12(7): 1053.
8. Therapeutic effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine on liver damage; Oga Otrubová et al; Gen Physiol Biophys. 2018 Jan;37(1):23-31
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