The silent alarm: your liver filters the fallout from a toxic world, but symptoms of disease can stay dormant for decades. Here, the diet, supplements and proactive approach you need to keep this vital organ strong and healthy

Natural Health, July-August, 2004 by Michael Tennesen

what (not) to do for your liver

(1) About 50 percent of those who drink too much get cirrhosis. Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., advises a maximum of two alcoholic beverages per day for men, one for women. Even better: Stick to one or two drinks per week.

(2) Like alcohol, drugs must be metabolized by the liver. Don't exceed maximum daily dosages, and avoid taking unnecessary medication of any kind. Don't mix acetaminophen with alcohol.

(3) Hepatitis B and C can be acquired through unprotected sex, sharing needles or possibly snorting cocaine. Use condoms if you have multiple sex partners.

(4) A study at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that men with tattoos had a ninefold greater risk of hepatitis C. Patronize regulated tattoo parlors, and insist that all needles be sterilized.

(5) Don't share toothbrushes or razors with others.

RELATED ARTICLE: The herbal approach to liver health.

milk thistle

The gold standard of liver-friendly herbs is milk thistle. German scientists were the first to isolate silymarin from the milk thistle fruit. Silymarin is a free-radical fighter that helps the liver counteract toxins and pollutants and stimulates regeneration of liver cells at up to four times the normal rate; it is now sold in Germany as a supportive treatment for chronic liver disease.

Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., advises patients to take 200 to 300 milligrams of milk thistle, two to three times a day. "It is very safe and very effective," she says. (Allergic reactions are rare, though it can interfere with certain HIV medications.)

Milk thistle won't prevent abuse-related liver damage. But once a patient stops drinking, it may help the organ recover more quickly. Milk thistle may also help reduce liver enzyme scores for hepatitis patients, lowering the risk of cirrhosis, says Leonard Seeff, M.D.

licorice root

Glycyrrhizin, found in licorice root, is widely used for chronic liver problems in Japan. It appears to reduce levels of serum transaminase, enhance the production of antibodies, and lower the risk of post-transfusion hepatitis, according to clinical phytotherapist David Hoffman, author of Medical Herbalism. Other hepatic tonics include dandelion, fringetree, black root and balmony.

bitter herbs

Also recommended are the bitter herbs, such as artichokes, dandelion greens, chard, spinach and arugula, whose astringent quality keep bodily fluids moving through the liver. Green tea, ginger tea, chicory, warm lemonade and dandelion-root tea all have liver-supporting properties, too.

ayurveda

To treat liver disorders, ayurveda utilizes Phyllanthus niruri, also called stonebreaker or gale of the wind, which may block the enzyme that the hepatitis B virus needs to replicate; other herbs of choice include bhringraj, turmeric and licorice root, along with long pepper to enhance the immune system. A qualified practitioner will customize cleansing, purification and rejuvenation therapies; in general, a wholesome, non-spicy vegetarian diet is prescribed. Consult your physician before undertaking any treatment options.