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6 Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Your Liver
You have the power to put out the flames of liver inflammation by adhering to an anti-inflammatory diet. Consider stocking up on blueberries, pineapple and four more anti-inflammatory foods.
At least 30 million people – or 1 in 10 Americans – have some form of liver disease. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is present in about 25% of adults in the United States, and is on the rise. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, metabolizes fats and regulates sugar in the blood, eliminates toxins and old red blood cells, and stores essential vitamins and minerals like iron and vitamin A.
When the liver cannot function properly, overall health declines rapidly.
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Several conditions may damage the liver, including Hepatitis A, B and C infections, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and excessive alcohol consumption, all of which may lead to cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis of the liver is a condition where the inflammation from these conditions has reached a level of severity where scarring and lesions in the liver tissue develop. Cirrhosis is a serious condition, as it significantly interferes with liver function until the liver eventually fails completely.
6 Foods to Reduce Liver Inflammation
One way to reduce the inflammation in the liver from any of these conditions is to eat an anti-inflammatory diet. The following foods reduce inflammation in the body, and are especially helpful in reducing inflammation in the liver:
- Turmeric – Turmeric contains compounds (curcuminoids) that reduce inflammation in the body, stimulate the liver and kidney functions, and improve bile production and flow. Turmeric 95 is a great way to add this spice to your diet on a regular basis.
- Dark Leafy Greens – Packed with antioxidants, flavonoids, carotenoids and vitamin C, dark greens like kale, spinach, and collard greens reduce inflammation throughout the body and reduce cellular damage.
- Blueberries – Like all berries, blueberries contain flavonoids which offer significant anti-inflammatory properties. Blueberries in particular contain anthocyanins, which are very powerful anti-inflammatory compounds. If blueberries are too tart for you, consider supplementing with Clinical LiverSupport. Not only does it contain blueberry leaf extract, it also offers comprehensive liver care – including the ability to reduce inflammation in your liver.
- Pineapple – Good for calming digestive issues, pineapple contains the power anti-inflammatory digestive enzyme. It helps the liver in metabolizing foods. Pineapple also contains vitamins C and B1, as well as potassium and magnesium which also combat inflammation.
- Garlic – Garlic offers antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and antioxidant properties. Not only does it reduce inflammation, yet it gives the immune system a boost as well! Find out more reason that garlic is good for you liver.
- Green Tea – Green tea has been shown to reduce fat accumulation, improve antioxidant levels and increase liver function. Learn why green tea promotes a lean liver.
Foods to Avoid
In addition to eating anti-inflammatory foods, it is also important to avoid those things that cause inflammation:
- high-fat
- high-sugar
- processed foods
These are also the foods that increase stress on the liver by forcing it to work harder to process the increased load of fats and sugars. When we eliminate these foods, eat a healthy diet and make it a point to add anti-inflammatory foods into our diet, we set up our liver to function at its best!
American Liver Foundation. (2016). The liver lowdown. American Liver Foundation. Retrieved on 7/31/16 from http://www.liverfoundation.org/education/liverlowdown/ll1013/bigpicture/.
Harvard Health. (2016). Foods that fight inflammation. Harvard Health. Retrieved on 7/14/16 from http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation.
Mercola, J. (2015). Top anti-inflammatory foods, herbs and spices. Mercola. Retrieved on 7/31/16 from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/02/02/anti-inflammatory-foods-herbs-spices.aspx.
NIH. (2016). Fatty liver disease (Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis). National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Retrieved on 7/31/16 from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/liver-disease/nonalcoholic-steatohepatitis/pages/facts.aspx.
Taratino, O. (2016). 20 anti-inflammatory foods for weight loss. Eat This Not That. Retrieved on 7/14/16 from http://www.eatthis.com/anti-inflammatory-foods.
Web MD. (2016). Hepatitis Health Center. Web MD. Retrieved on 7/31/16 from http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/tc/what-the-liver-does-topic-overview.
Web MD. (2016). Liver Failure. Web MD. Retrieved on 7/31/16 from http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-liver-failure.
Weil, A. (2016). Anti-inflammatory diet & pyramid. Dr. Weil. Retrieved on 7/14/16 from http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02995/Dr-Weil-Anti-Inflammatory-Food-Pyramid.html.
About the Author
Stephen Holt, M.D. is a Distinguished Professor of Medicine NYCPM (Emerite) and a medical practitioner in New York State. He has published many peer-review papers in medicine and he is a best-selling author with more than twenty books in national and international distribution. He has received many awards for teaching and research. Dr. Holt is a frequent lecturer at scientific meetings and healthcare facilities throughout the world. He is a best selling author and the founder of the Holt Institute of Medicine.
