Liver Health
The increasing incidence of liver/gall bladder disease is largely due to the growing proportion of overweight and obese people in the Australian population. Up to 30% of Australian adults are reported to have fatty liver; an obesity-related chronic liver condition.
When managing or treating these conditions, an important consideration is to address chemical toxity. Increasing levels of toxic metabolites in the 21st century would place considerable pressure on the liver, often resulting in toxic overload, oxidative stress, and damage to hepatocytes and subsequent liver dysfunction.
We are fortunate to have a number of excellent herbs such as Fringe Tree, Globe Artichoke and Dandelion Root which support hepatic function.
But probably the most well-known hepatic herb is St Mary’s Thistle. Amongst its many wonderful actions it protects, tonifies and restores liver and gall bladder function, stimulates bile production and is an excellent anti-oxidant. These actions, especially its unique regenerative effect against liver damage have been demonstrated in a large number of clinical studies. This clever herb can actually generate new hepatocytes (liver cells). It is able to do this via three primary mechanisms.
-
Firstly, it promotes the production of endogenous glutathione, a crucial amino acid used in liver detoxification and is protective against the damaging effects of free radicals and lipid per oxidation.
-
Secondly, St Mary’s stabilizes the hepatic cell membrane. By altering the structure of the outer cell membrane of liver cells, toxins and other substances are prevented from entering the interior of the cell.
-
Thirdly, St Mary’s has been reported to inhibit beta- glucuronidase.This means it helps to reduce the number of toxic metabolites entering the liver and is protective against hepatic injury.
Even more impressive, is the fact that components of St Mary’s may bind to the hepatocyte cell membrane receptor site and inhibit binding of toxins to these sites. A little like having a well armed militia keeping (liver) enemies at bay!
