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The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Your Liver Healthy: What to Eat and Drink

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 09:28:17 +0000

The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Your Liver Healthy: What to Eat and Drink

Your liver is a silent workhorse, tirelessly working behind the scenes to keep you healthy. It detoxifies chemicals, metabolizes drugs, and filters blood coming from the digestive tract before passing it to the rest of your body. Given its pivotal role, it's crucial to prioritize liver health by incorporating foods and drinks that support its function. In this article, we will explore the best dietary choices for liver protection and long-term health.

The Importance of Liver Health

A healthy liver is the cornerstone of overall well-being. It processes nutrients absorbed from the gut, converts toxins into harmless substances, and regulates blood composition. However, modern lifestyles filled with processed foods, excessive alcohol consumption, and environmental pollutants can overburden this vital organ, leading to various liver diseases. By making mindful food and drink choices, you can safeguard your liver and enhance its efficiency.

Foods to Boost Liver Health

1. Leafy Greens: Vegetables like spinach, kale, and broccoli are packed with chlorophylls that help in neutralizing heavy metals, chemicals, and pesticides. Their high fiber content also aids in detoxification and bile production, essential for fat digestion.

2. Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts contain glucosinolates, which get converted into isothiocyanates in the body. These compounds support the liver’s natural detox enzymes and improve liver function.

3. Fatty Fish: Salmon, trout, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Omega-3s reduce liver fat buildup and enhance insulin sensitivity, contributing to better liver health.

4.Berries: Blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries are chock-full of antioxidants and phytochemicals that protect the liver from damage. They also promote the production of enzymes that protect against oxidative stress.

5. Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios offer a wealth of essential nutrients, including vitamin E and healthy fats. Regular consumption of nuts has been linked to improved liver enzyme levels in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

6. Garlic: This humble bulb contains selenium and allicin, both of which activate liver enzymes and naturally flush out toxins. Garlic also helps lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reducing fat accumulation in the liver.

7. Avocado: High in healthy monounsaturated fats, avocados provide glutathione, an antioxidant that excels in removing harmful toxins from the liver while protecting it from cellular damage.

Drinks That Support Liver Function

1.Green Tea: Rich in catechins, green tea enhances lipid metabolism and reduces liver fat accumulation. Drinking green tea regularly can improve enzyme levels and reduce oxidative stress.

2. Coffee: Studies have consistently shown that drinking coffee lowers the risk of liver diseases, including cirrhosis and cancer. Coffee’s antioxidants, particularly caffeine and paraxanthine, slow the growth of scar tissue and reduce inflammation.

3.Detox Water: Infusing water with lemon, cucumber, and mint creates a refreshing drink that aids liver function. Lemons are high in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, while cucumber and mint provide hydration and soothing effects.

4. Beetroot Juice: Packed with nitrates and antioxidants, beetroot juice supports liver detoxification and reduces oxidative damage. It also helps increase blood flow and nutrient delivery to the liver.

5. Herbal Teas: Milk thistle tea is renowned for its liver-protective properties. It contains silymarin, an active compound that supports cell regeneration and guards against toxins. Dandelion tea, another excellent choice, promotes bile production and aids digestion.

Lifestyle Changes for Sustained Liver Health

In addition to consuming liver-friendly foods and drinks, adopting certain lifestyle habits can further bolster liver health:

1. Regular Exercise: Physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight, reducing the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.

2. Limit Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol intake can cause significant liver damage over time. Moderation is key—stick to the recommended guidelines of up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.

3. Stay Hydrated: Adequate hydration helps the liver flush out toxins and perform its functions efficiently. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water daily.

4. Avoid Processed Foods: Foods high in refined sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives can put extra strain on your liver. Opt for whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible.

5. Monitor Medication Intake: Some medications can have adverse effects on the liver. Always follow prescribed dosages and consult with your healthcare provider regarding any potential interactions or side effects.

Conclusion

Your liver plays an indispensable role in maintaining your health, and caring for it is essential. By incorporating liver-friendly foods and drinks into your diet, staying hydrated, limiting alcohol, and adopting a healthy lifestyle, you can ensure your liver remains functional and robust for years to come. Remember, small, consistent changes can have a profound impact on your liver health and overall well-being. So, start today and give your liver the love it deserves!

Good Food for Liver Protection: Nourishing Your Health Daily

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:08:39 +0000

Good Food for Liver Protection: Nourishing Your Health Daily

Your liver is one of the most vital organs in your body, playing a crucial role in detoxification, metabolism, and nutrient storage. Given its importance, protecting this organ through proper diet is essential for maintaining overall health. In this article, we’ll explore daily food and drink choices that can help safeguard your liver and promote its optimal functioning.

1. Leafy Greens: A Powerhouse of Nutrients

Incorporating leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and arugula into your daily meals can significantly benefit your liver. These vegetables are rich in antioxidants and provide chlorophyll, which helps detoxify the liver by eliminating harmful toxins from the bloodstream. A simple way to enjoy these greens is to add them to smoothies, salads, or stir-fries. Their versatility makes it easy to incorporate them into any meal!

2. Fruits: Nature’s Sweet Protectors

Fruits, especially citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, are fantastic for liver health. They are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants that combat oxidative stress and inflammation. Berries, particularly blueberries and cranberries, also contain beneficial compounds that may improve liver function. Enjoy a fruit salad, blend them into smoothies, or simply snack on them throughout the day to maximize their protective effects.

3. Healthy Fats: The Good Kind

Not all fats are created equal! Including healthy fats in your diet is crucial for liver protection. Avocados, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish (like salmon and sardines) are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These good fats can help reduce liver fat levels and lower inflammation. You can add avocado to your toast, sprinkle seeds on your salads, or enjoy a portion of fish a few times a week to reap these benefits.

4. Hydration: The Elixir of Life

Staying hydrated is key to maintaining liver health. Water helps flush out toxins and supports the liver’s functionality. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water daily, but even herbal teas and infused waters can contribute to your hydration goals. Green tea, for example, is rich in catechins, a type of antioxidant that has been linked to improved liver health. So, consider sipping on green tea or adding lemon to your water for an extra health kick.

Conclusion: Nourish Your Liver, Nourish Your Life

Protecting your liver through daily dietary choices is not only beneficial but also enjoyable. By focusing on leafy greens, vibrant fruits, healthy fats, and proper hydration, you can support your liver’s health and overall well-being. Remember, small changes in your diet can lead to significant improvements in liver function over time. Make these foods a regular part of your meals, and you'll be investing in your health for years to come. Here's to a happier, healthier liver!

What About Other Liver Protectants?

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 02:22:04 +0000

TUDCA and UDCA should be considered first above all else when using hepatotoxic anabolic steroids, as they treat the mechanisms specific to cholestasis. NAC is very beneficial as well. The other options, are just secondary aids as they are not nearly as beneficial for C17aa.

Choline & Inositol
For Additional Information & Studies On Choline, Be Sure To Visit The Examine Page

Choline can be used as a daily supplement for general health and/or a liver protector while on oral steroid course. Choline cannot replace TUDCA and should be used in addition to TUDCA while taking oral steroids. Choline should be used in conjunction with Inositol and many products that you will find will contain both anyway.

Deficiency in dietary choline can lead to triglyceride accumulation (hepatic fatty acids) and impair TG release from the liver due to less phosphatidylcholine being made.

For general liver health take 250-500 mg of choline once per day

For liver protection while on oral steroids take 1-2 g in two even doses per day (ie 1000mg or 1 g is 500 mg twice a day, 12 hours apart or so)

For Additional Information & Studies On Inositol, Be Sure To Visit The Examine Page

Inositol may also be used as both a daily supplement for general health and/or as adjunct liver protection to TUDCA while on oral steroids. Again, taking inositol and choline together is important.

Inositol the word itself refers to a group of 9 molecules that all have similar structures, termed stereoisomers. The key isomer that we are focusing on is MYO-INOSITOL and this is the isomer that we want to supplement and take. Pretty much all OTC supplements with inositol will be this isomer, but always double check to be sure you are getting the right one.

Inositol shows promising effects in restoring insulin sensitivity and decreasing LDL and acne, and has many other slight positive beneficial effects which can be found under the "Human Effect Matrix" category on the examine.com page linked just above.

For general liver health and oral steroid protection, inositol doses will typically be in the 2g-4g range, and it is advised to take these doses in two split even doses per day, roughly 12 hours apart.

Milk Thistle
For Additional Information & Studies, Be Sure To Visit The Examine Page

Milk thistle, which contains silymarin and silybin are known as being powerful antioxidants in the liver in particular. Many studies have been conducted on the efficiency and have demonstrated them to exhibit a plethora of beneficial properties in liver tissue. However, milk thistle is not very effective for treating cholestasis in particular. As a general liver health support, it is not too bad. However, almost all of the studies performed on milk thistleâs effectiveness had administered the test subjects the compound via injection, which would provide near 100% bioavailability. Milk thistle consumed orally is a different story. Milk thistle can serve as a beneficial addition to TUDCA and UDCA, but should not be substituted as a first-line treatment for cholestasis. TUDCA should be reserved for the first-line treatment of cholestasis and should be the primary liver protectant while on a cycle of C17-alpha alkylated oral anabolic steroids.

Liv.52 (LiverCare)
Liv.52 is an herbal medicine used widely in Europe and Asia to support metabolic and liver health. While in some countries this product is regarded as a drug, it contains all natural ingredients including capparis spinosa, terminalia arjuna, cichorium intybus, achillea millefolium, solanum nigrum, tamarix gallica, and cassia occidentalis. There have been medical studies have been conducted on Liv.52 in recent years, many of which involve its ability to protect the liver from damage by alcohol or other toxins. Note that while these studies lend support for the use of a natural remedy like Liv.52 during hepatotoxic steroid administration, they do not provide complete assurance that this remedy can prevent liver damage. Also some of the studies may have some bias, so be sure to use caution when reviewing them.

Liver Function Tests

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 02:19:24 +0000

TUDCA / UDCA
For Additional Information & Studies, Be Sure To Visit The Examine Page

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) and Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) are bile acids themselves that are non-toxic to the liver and in fact have been proven to exhibit the exact opposite - they assist in bile flow through various different pathways which will be covered shortly. TUDCA is simply the taurine conjugate of UDCA (UDCA with a taurine amino acid bound to it), which has been claimed to exhibit greater oral bioavailability, but both variants have been proven to work very effectively. TUDCA and UDCA used to be extracted from the liver of bears, but synthetic methods have since been developed in order to manufacture these compounds, as well as the ability to derive them from other sources.

By far the most effective liver support compound available, TUDCA and UDCA are compounds that serve to speed up the metabolic transition of toxic bile acids to less toxic bile acids, and they also serve to increase the manufacture of non-toxic bile acids from cholesterol.[5] The result is a decrease in the toxicity of the bile pool. Remember when I mentioned above that liver toxicity from oral anabolic steroids (in the really bad stages) results in bile building up in the hepatocytes (liver cells) until they rupture and bile spills out onto other cells killing them? Well, the bile being spilled out consists of mostly toxic bile salts. TUDCA and UDCA are beneficial non-toxic bile salts that will essentially balance out the toxicity of the bile pool and serve to neutralize the toxicity making it less toxic to the surrounding resident liver cells. TUDCA and UDCA have also shown to increase amounts of the bile salt export pump (a transporter protein) in the liver cells, thus increasing the flow of bile as a result.[6] What this means is that they will facilitate the flow of bile in the liver so that the bile pool will not remain stagnant damage the surrounding liver cells. A good analogy to explain this is using the 'hot potato' analogy where a group of people in a circle are throwing a hot potato around from person to person fairly quickly. As long as the hot potato is passed around at a constant pace, no single person's hand will get burned, but if the hot potato is to remain in one person's hand for too long, they will end up doing damage to their hands by being burned (which is much like a stagnant bile pool in the liver damaging the surrounding cells). These compounds have also demonstrated to serve as antiapoptotics in liver cells, which means they effectively block the transcription factor known as AP-1, which is activated during cholestasis due to various toxic bile salts that will activate death receptors on liver cells.[7]

TUDCA and UDCA are by far the best quintessential treatments for both the prevention of cholestasis, as well as the recovery from it. They are, quite literally, the compounds specific to the treatment and mitigation of oral C17-alpha alkylated anabolic steroid liver toxicity - this cannot be said of any other liver support supplement/compound. In addition to treating cholestasis very effectively, it has demonstrated in studies to also reduce the risk of hepatitis B, where they had significantly decreased the risk of having abnormal serum alanine aminotransferase activity at the end of treatment compared to the beginning.[8] Other studies have also shown that UDCA and TUDCA are beneficial in the treatment necroinflammatory liver disease, such as (and especially for) hepatitis C-related chronic hepatitis in which bile duct damage and some degree of cholestasis are frequently seen at histology, and the study had observed that TUDCA had significantly improved the biochemical expression of chronic hepatitis.[9] In general, TUDCA seems to prevent hepatic cell death.[10]

Dosing of TUDCA and UDCA: 500-1000mg daily for the maintenance of healthy liver function during the use of a C17aa oral during a cycle. 1,000mg or higher daily for the purpose of repairing the liver following heavy hepatotoxicity and hepatocyte damage from cholestasis (and/or for individuals with serious liver disorders).

IMPORTANT: Do not exceed 8 weeks of TUDCA/UDCA use, as it can increase negative cholesterol values and decrease HDL. It is recommended to use these bile salts only during a cycle of oral C17aa anabolic steroids, or for the purpose of liver repair following periods of significant hepatotoxicity from the use of these compounds. Other compounds should be sought after for general year-round liver support.

According to this study (taken from Examine), TUDCA has been shown to decrease HDL levels when taken for extended periods of time. In normal people, this really isn't a big deal. In people who are constantly using steroids, like blasting and cruising (B&C), it can become counter-intuitive to run TUDCA for no reason due to decreased HDL levels. For example, on a cruise one wants to let their body recover, and ideally see good bloodwork before blasting again. One key reading on the bloodwork is the HDL, as HDL is one marker that almost always drops significantly while taking exogenous steroids in large dosages.

Also, according to the FDA as listed in UDCA's medication safety profile (two sources below), UDCA should not be taken without direct indication to do so, i.e. gallstones or primary biliary cirrhosis. The pros of taking TUDCA and UDCA while not on oral steroids or having one of the aforementioned indications do not outweigh the cons. TUDCA should not be used for year round general liver support, as there are other options (discussed below) which do not have these negative drawbacks, thus making the choice clear.

NAC (N-acetylcysteine)

NAC (N-acetylcysteine) is an excellent liver protectant/support compound that has demonstrated effectiveness in mitigating hepatotoxicity[11] as well as successfully treating acetaminophen (Tylenol) induced hepatotoxicity,[12] which is an added benefit for NAC that TUDCA does not do. NAC has also demonstrated some pretty good effectiveness at mitigating and preventing cholestasis as evidenced by studies. One particular study administered 300mg/kg of NAC orally to rats for 28 days, and not only did NAC administration reduce elevations of liver enzyme values that would otherwise be high without NAC administration, it also seemed to improve renal (kidney) function as well![13] That same study indicated, though, that NAC's activity in ameliorating cholestasis is not through the same pathway as TUDCA. NAC's ability to prevent or cure cholestasis stems from its antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Acetylcysteine serves to increase the glutathione reserves in the body and, together with glutathione, they both directly bind to toxic metabolites. This serves to protect hepatocytes (liver cells) from succumbing to toxicity from Tylenol or cholestasis. TUDCA instead operates through the direct action of essentially 'balancing' the content of bile salts (TUDCA is itself a bile salt), and while it does assist in mitigating cholestasis, it does not do anything for Tylenol-related toxicity. Another study also investigated NAC's ability to help alleviate cholestasis, which focused a little more on the observation of the renal (kidney) related effects, and found that in addition to improved liver enzyme values, NAC had the ability to vastly improve markers of kidney function and was actually able to even double the rate of sodium excretion.[14] This would also strongly indicate that NAC might prove very useful for the elimination of sodium and its related water retention in the body, which is something that might be of particular interest for anabolic steroid using individuals who might be having problems with water retention during a cycle.

The problem, however, with NAC is that it has demonstrated very poor oral bioavailability,[15] and this is the reason as to why high oral doses of NAC were utilized in studies for the treatment of Tylenol poisoning compared to when the subjects were administered NAC through the IV (intravenous) route of administration. Aside from NAC's ability as a nephroprotective (kidney protecting) and hepatoprotective (liver protecting) agent, it is well documented to serve a myriad of other benefits to the body. Although these benefits of NAC do not pertain to the main topic at hand (liver support during anabolic steroid use), it is very informative and helpful to know and understand that NAC has potential applications that are extremely far reaching beyond simply liver and kidney function.

Dosing of NAC: As previously mentioned, there are issues in regards to poor oral bioavailability with NAC. IV and inhalation formats of NAC do exist, but are generally prescription-only, depending on which country. However, the oral format of NAC is generally widely available for purchase almost anywhere. Be sure to look for a NAC product that has chelated it to an element or compound to provide greater bioavailability. With that being said, a proper dose for the purpose of maintenance of liver health during a cycle of C17-alpha alkylated anabolic steroids would be in the range of 1,000mg - 2,000mg of NAC per day. NAC can be used year-round as a general liver support, and should be run at 1,000mg per day or less when not utilizing C17-alpha alkylated oral anabolic steroids.

Hepatotoxicity

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 02:13:55 +0000

It is a well-known fact that most oral anabolic steroids, as well as a select few injectable anabolic steroids induce a measure of liver toxicity (properly referred to as hepatotoxicity) in the body. The range of hepatotoxicity that these compounds can cause varies a great deal, ranging from very minor to serious life-threatening damage. The word "liver toxicity" and "hepatotoxicity" is thrown around a lot in bodybuilding circles and throughout the anabolic steroid using community, but how many people actually understand what these terms mean? How many people actually know what specifically it is that is "toxic" about the anabolic steroid in the liver? What is it that actually happens to the liver cells (hepatocytes)? The majority of people who throw around the words "liver toxic" will not be able to answer those questions at all. This is where that should change. After reading through this post, you will understand why certain anabolic steroids cause hepatotoxicity, what hepatotoxicity actually is, and how it affects the body, and most importantly: what you can do about it and what liver protectants to take.

Drug Metabolism
When it comes to drug metabolism, the liverâs primary function is to metabolize the drug into a form that is suitable for elimination by the kidneys. The main goals of this metabolism is to reduce fat solubility, make the drug water soluble, and to decrease its biological activity so that it stops working. This occurs for not only foreign substances (known as xenobiotics, which drugs are considered), but also endogenous chemicals. Drug metabolism in the liver exists in two main phases, phase I and phase II.

Phase I: Phase I metabolism happens primarily in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes. The main purpose of this phase is to make lipid soluble compounds water soluble. This typically renders the metabolites of the drug to be inactive, but not always. This is the phase that we want to focus on with oral steroids, and is where the C17aa comes into play in protecting the steroid from being degraded by the liver.

Phase II: Phase II metabolism takes place in the cytosol of hepatocytes. In this phase, the products from phase I will undergo conjugation to increase their water solubility.

The efficacy of the enzymes used in drug metabolism are age-dependent. In newborns and the geriatric, the ability to metabolize drugs is greatly decreased. Smoking can increase the efficacy of drug metabolism through the inhalation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This is most noticeably manifested in the increased metabolic activity of caffeine.

Anabolic Androgenic Steroids
C17-Alpha Alkylation & What It Does
It's common knowledge that oral steroids are known as being liver toxic, while injectable anabolic steroids are not (at least not to as great of an extent as orals are). There is a reason for this, and that is: C17-alpha alkylation (C17aa). Without the C17aa modification, very little of the anabolic steroid when ingested will survive hepatic metabolism (liver metabolism), and not enough of it will reach the bloodstream to produce any noticeable effects. It was then discovered at one point, that by modifying the chemical structure by adding a methyl group (also known as an alkyl group) to the 17th carbon on the steroid structure (also known as carbon 17-alpha), it would allow the anabolic steroid to become more resistant to the hepatic metabolism that would previously render the majority of the ingested steroid into inactive metabolites. This chemical bonding of a methyl group onto the 17th carbon is what is known as C17-alpha alkylation. It is because of C17-alpha alkylation, that the anabolic steroid becomes orally active and bioavailable â without it, the anabolic steroid would not survive liver metabolism. However, the negative downside in this case is that of increased hepatotoxicity (increased liver toxicity). C17-alpha alkylation allows an anabolic steroid to become more resistant to hepatic breakdown, and any compound that is further resistant to hepatic breakdown will always have greater hepatotoxicity associated with it for various reasons. But how does this happen?

C17aa effectively alters the chemical structure enough to block the enzyme 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) from interacting with the hormone in the liver, which would normally metabolize the steroid into an inactive metabolite. However, the liver is now forced to metabolize the anabolic steroid through other means. At this point in time, it is unknown as to how exactly the C17aa modification causes hepatotoxicity, but it is strongly hypothesized that because the liver contains a high concentration of androgen receptors[1] , the now unaltered and unmetabolized anabolic steroid (which is now instantly highly active) that is making the first pass through the liver will exhibit heavy amounts of androgenic activity in the liver because its metabolism has been blocked. Because it is being ingested orally, and therefore makes the first pass through the liver, the liver then becomes exposed to massive concentrations of these active anabolic steroids immediately, rather than through the injection route of administration where the anabolic steroid does not have to make a first pass through the liver (and therefore the liver is not exposed to massive amounts of active androgens all at once). The fact that studies have demonstrated that the greater the androgenic strength an oral anabolic steroid exhibits, the worse the hepatotoxicity is, lends credence to the theory that androgenic activity is correlated with hepatotoxicity in oral AAS.[2][3]

Trenbolone
Trenbolone does not possess C17-alpha alkylation, however, it is known to possess ever so small amounts of hepatotoxicity. This is believed to be because of the nature of Trenboloneâs chemical structure, which causes Trenbolone to exhibit a higher resistance to hepatic metabolism and breakdown even though it is not C17-alpha alkylated. The small amount of hepatotoxicity is not a large cause for concern at all, as Trenboloneâs minute amount of liver toxicity does not even reach the amounts of toxicity exhibited by oral C17-alpha alkylated anabolic steroids. The slight hepatotoxicity can be a concern for individuals with pre-existing liver problems (known or unknown) and this should be kept in mind. Every potential Trenbolone user should always have blood work (see Liver Function Tests below) done in order to monitor liver enzyme readings regardless, and a proven liver support supplement (see Liver Protection below) can be utilized during a Trenbolone cycle for the extra assurance of proper liver function.

Drug Induced Hepatotoxicity
Drug induced hepatotoxicity can have many causes. Some medications cause direct damage to hepatocytes while others block certain metabolic processes. As an example, acetaminophen itself is not the source of hepatotoxicity, but rather one of its metabolites. When taken in extreme quantities, this metabolite accumulates because the enzymes required are unable to keep up in phase II metabolism and cell damage occurs. Likewise, mitochondrial damage can increase oxidative stress which can damage hepatocytes.

These causes are categorized in seven general categories based on the mechanism of hepatotoxicity. The main categories where AAS and ancillaries are implicated are:

Steatosis: Steatosis is the accumulation of triglycerides in the liver. Liver function tests (LFTs) are unreliable when it comes to the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis. Often will have an AST/ALT ratio < 1. Imaging and possible biopsy is required to make an accurate diagnosis. AST and ALT both upwards of 4 times ULN. Tamoxifen and Raloxifene have been shown to induce hepatic steatosis.

Zonal Necrosis: Zonal necrosis is essentially the death of cells in a specific zone of the liver. This is the most common manifestation of hepatotoxicity. This will cause an increase in ALT with normal ALP levels. This can be caused by C-17-alpha-alkylated (C17aa) steroids.

Cholestasis: Cholestasis is the impediment of biliary flow from the liver through the biliary tract. This is the cause of jaundice. The increase in bilirubin causes a yellowing of the skin and that is occurs with itching. C17aa steroids may cause hepatotoxic cholestasis. This can be seen on labs as normal levels of ALT and > 2 times ULN ALP. The mechanism of this is not well known. Testosterone and 19-nortestosterone compounds have been implicated in cases of hyperbilirubinemia, but rarely to the point of jaundice. (More on this below).

Hyperplasia and Neoplasia: C17aa compounds have been implicated in cases of hepatic hyperplasia and neoplasia, essentially cancer. However, non-C17aa steroids have also been noted as a cause of liver cancer in medical case reports.

Vascular Lesions: These vascular lesions are known as Peliosis Hepatis. These lesions are present on endothelial cells of hepatic vasculature and is typically asymptomatic. This can eventually lead to hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) and frequently death if untreated.

Effects of liver damage include jaundice, ankle edema, gynecomastia, increased bleeding due to decrease in clotting factor synthesis. Most of these effects come from deficiencies in synthesis of their respective plasma proteins. For example, damage to hepatocytes that are responsible for synthesis of SHBG will result in a decrease in SHBG. This will alter the free estrogen/free androgen ratio, potentially inducing gynecomasta. Likewise, a decrease in plasma proteins will change the blood colloid osmotic pressure, causing a change in capillary net filtration pressure leading to edema in the lower extremities.

What Are Liver Function Tests?

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 11:24:18 +0000

What Are Liver Function Tests?

Doctors may order liver function tests as a way to check a person's liver for injury, infection, or disease. They're a type of blood test, and they're usually (but not always) done as a group. You may hear your doctor refer to these tests by their medical name, hepatic function panel or liver profile.

If your liver isn't working properly, it can affect your overall health. That's because the liver plays lots of different roles the body, such as storing fuel from food, making proteins the body needs, and helping to remove toxins.

Your doctor may send you for liver function tests if you have signs of liver disease â including jaundice (yellowish skin or eyes), dark urine, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal (belly) pain or swelling.

Your doctor may order liver function tests to help diagnose a viral infection involving the liver (like mono or hepatitis, for example) or to look for possible effects of cancer or other diseases on the liver. Doctors also use liver function tests to monitor people who are taking medicines that might cause liver-related side effects.

Several different tests are in the liver function panel. Your doctor may order one, a couple, or all of these tests. The good news is you should only need to get blood taken once. The lab uses the same blood sample to run all the tests.

The different tests that make up a liver function test are:

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT, also known as SGPT). This enzyme plays a role in processing proteins. When the liver is injured or inflamed, levels of ALT in the blood usually rise.
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST, also known as SGOT). This enzyme is found in several body tissues, including the liver. Like ALT, AST also plays a role in processing proteins. If the liver is injured, the body releases AST into the bloodstream.
Alkaline phosphatase (ALP). This enzyme is found in several body tissues, including the liver. Kids and teens normally have higher levels of ALP than adults because of bone growth. But ALP levels that are higher than normal can be a sign of liver diseases or blocked bile ducts.
Total bilirubin and direct bilirubin. Bilirubin is a byproduct of the normal breakdown of red blood cells. It usually passes through the liver and is flushed from the body. But if that doesn't happen due to a liver disease, bilirubin levels in the blood can rise and the skin can take on the yellow discoloration known as jaundice. Tests for bilirubin may be total (measuring the level of all of the bilirubin in the blood) or direct (measuring only bilirubin that has been processed by the liver and attached to other chemicals).
Albumin and total protein. Liver function tests include measuring albumin (the major blood protein produced by the liver), as well as the total amount of all proteins in the blood. When there's a problem with the liver, there can be changes in the amounts of albumin and other proteins it produces.

Nac

Mon, 05 Oct 2015 22:05:12 +0000

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a small protein with over 40 years of scientific research to back up its clinical effectiveness. NACâs powerful health benefits derive from its ability to restore intracellular levels of glutathione. Glutathione is a very important compound because itâs your bodyâs own powerful antioxidant and detoxifier.

Glutathione helps your liver to protect you against toxicity, and it is most needed by people with an inflamed liver or fatty liver. Chronic liver inflammation depletes your body of glutathione, and in fact so do many different diseases. Immune system problems and autoimmune diseases cause chronically low levels of glutathione. This is not good for your liver and it can worsen the inflammation and symptoms of autoimmune disease.

NAC is the precursor of glutathione and is the most effective way of raising levels in your body. NAC is also very beneficial for the kidneys and lungs and can help to protect them from damage.

liver-health lung-health

NAC may be able to reduce a large range of chronic, degenerative problems, including liver inflammation and impaired glucose control.

Today researchers are now realizing just how vital glutathioneâs actions in the body are, and how many chronic disease conditions are associated with glutathione deficiency. According to Stanford Universityâs Dr. Kondala R. Atkuri, âNAC has been used successfully to treat glutathione deficiency in a wide range of infections, genetic defects and metabolic disorders, including HIV infection and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Over two-thirds of 46 placebo-controlled clinical trials with orally administered NAC have indicated beneficial effects of NAC measured either as trial endpoints or as general measures of improvement in quality of life and well-being of the patients.â

NAC has been shown to increase blood glutathione in HIV-infected patients with low levels of glutathione due to their chronically damaged immune system.
NACâs ability to replenish intracellular glutathione and reduce free radical damage provides significant protection against DNA damage and thus cancer development.

NAC neutralizes toxins and pollutants including heavy metals that accumulate in the liver, kidneys and fatty parts of the body.

Restoring glutathione levels with NAC supplements makes liver cells more able to protect themselves from ongoing damage caused by fatty accumulation, viral infections, drug induced damage, alcohol excess or autoimmune inflammation etc.

How can we get more glutathione in our body?
Oral glutathione supplements are available in some health food stores and pharmacies and do not require a prescription. The main problem is that glutathione is not well absorbed from the gut, as it is broken down by digestive enzymes before it has a chance to be absorbed. For this reason it is far more effective to take its precursor (building block). NAC is the most important precursor to glutathione synthesis. NAC is easily absorbed from the gut and is rapidly turned into glutathione.

Approximately 150 milligrams daily of glutathione is obtained from the average diet, mainly from fruits and vegetables. However the majority of glutathione is manufactured within the cells of the body, especially within liver cells. It is interesting to know that around 80% of the glutathione produced in the liver is transported to the blood stream to be used by the kidneys for detoxification. Thus increasing glutathione levels is good for the liver and the kidneys.

For people with very depleted levels of glutathione in their body, taking glutathione intravenously would be best, but this is impractical. The practical solution is to take NAC, the main precursor to glutathione â a component the bodyâs cells need to make their own glutathione.

How is NAC taken?
NAC does not require a prescription and is taken as an oral supplement in doses of 600 to1800 mg daily. NAC is taken one to three times per daily, or as recommended by your healthcare provider. NAC can be taken with or without food.

NAC is given intravenously in hospital emergency departments as a life saving treatment for acute poisoning with paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen). Overdoses with paracetamol are the number one cause of acute liver failure in the United States. Large doses of paracetamol overwhelm the bodyâs glutathione stores, which causes irreversible damage to liver cells. Treatment with NAC quickly restores protective levels of glutathione, thus preventing irreversible liver failure. In paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose, NAC is administered intravenously to detoxify the drug before it destroys large numbers of liver cells and causes fatal liver failure.

With over more than 40 years of use in a wide range of medical disorders, NAC has been proven to be safe even at very high doses and for long-term treatments. Studies have demonstrated the safety of 1,800 mg per day for 142 days, and 2,800 mg per day for 3 months. The most commonly used doses range from 600-1,800 mg daily and clinical studies have found that doses of up to 2,000 mg/day are safe.

Many researchers have come to the conclusion that a deficiency of liver glutathione is one of the leading factors that allow liver disease to progress. The liver cells of people with chronic liver disease are continually overworked as they fight toxins and free radicals and it is mainly glutathione which can protect them from severe damage or cell death. Researchers proved that glutathione given in high doses intravenously to patients with severe fatty livers resulted in marked improvement in their liver blood test results.

Here are a few recently published trials:
Published in the November 2006 journal Apoptosis, one trial investigated if NAC could inhibit liver cell death in acute severe liver failure. Based on an animal model, the researchers concluded that NAC shows a liver-protective role for this type of liver failure.
Published in the January 2008 journal Liver Transplantation, a retrospective study found that children treated with NAC for acute liver failure had a better outcome than matched controls not treated with NAC.

The evidence linking glutathione depletion with a poor prognosis in those with liver disease is now clear-cut.

Cautions with NAC
There are no known contraindications to NAC. Diabetics should check with their healthcare provider regarding interference with insulin efficacy

my liver.

Sun, 16 Aug 2015 02:10:44 +0000

about to run some test C, anavar and nolvaxyl. Was wondering if the pills Liv52 will be enough or should i get something stronger??

TUDCA on Cleaning Liver

Sun, 21 Sep 2014 02:26:52 +0000

Hi, have TUDCA from Gun Shop Sup. its a powder form and has NO directions on how to use. Does anyone like it better then LIV52? Anyone know how to use it and dose properly? Thanks for any feedback

liv 52 vs milkthistle

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 22:11:28 +0000

liv 52 can restore the and help the liver while on the other hand milk thistle just coats it to protect it from toxins. if that is the case wont milk thistle coat and protect it from nutrients? that is why choose liv 52 ... what do you think ?

Tylers liver detox

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:36:54 +0000

I was just reading about Tylers liver detox and was wondering any one here use that? and also what the preference is Liv52 or Tylers Liver Detox?

anyone used SYNTHERGINE?

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:13:51 +0000

Has anyone used synthergine "besides me" any input about this product

Milk Thistle vs Liv vs Choliver

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:32:49 +0000

What is the best one?

What products affects liver?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:28:26 +0000

I do not mean steroids I mean food.

Liv52

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:13:37 +0000

General information:

Manufacturer: Himalaya, India
Substance: Herbal Complex
Pack: 100 tablets

Action:
Usage of LiverCare (Liv.52) can help regulate levels of enzymes and optimize assimilation and improve the functional efficiency of the liver.
LiverCare (Liv.52) helps restore the functional efficiency of the liver by protecting the hepatic parenchyma and assist in promoting hepatocellular regeneration. It facilitates rapid elimination of acetaldehyde, the toxic intermediate metabolite of alcohol metabolism, and helps ensure protection from alcohol-induced hepatic damage. LiverCare (Liv.52) helps diminish the lipotropic activity in chronic alcoholism, and prevents fatty infiltration of the liver. In pre-cirrhotic conditions, LiverCare (Liv.52) helps arrests the progress of the disease and prevents further liver damage. As a daily health supplement, LiverCare (Liv.52) helps improves appetite, the digestion and assimilation processes, and promotes weight gain.

Indications:
Each bodybuilder who takes care of his liver must take Liv 52 with each Steroid Cycle, especially when he is on orals. This will prevent his liver from damage and will strengthen it.

LiverCare (Liv.52) tablets can help in the prevention and treatment of:

* Viral hepatitis
* Alcoholic liver disease
* Pre-cirrhotic conditions and early cirrhosis
* Protein energy malnutrition
* Loss of appetite
* Radiation and chemotherapy-induced liver damage
* As an adjuvant with hepatotoxic drugs
* A valuable adjuvant during convalescence and prolonged illness

Ingredients Include:

* Capers (Capparis spinosa)
* Wild chicory (Cichorium intybus)
* Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna)
* Negro coffee (Cassia occidentalis)
* Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
* Tamarisk (Tamarixgallica )

Use Directions:
Take one or two tablets two to three times a day, with meals.