From "Protecting and Enhancing Liver Function," by Ronald G. Reichert, ND
in Alive: Canadian Journal of Health and Nutrition
(#161, March 1996): pp.14-16.

 

. . . Natural substances to help your liver detoxify are as close as your kitchen cupboard. Eating foods rich in lecithin (soybean), essential fatty acids (salmon, flax oil) and green leafy vegetables rich in fibre and antioxidants like vitamins C and E, are all gourmet cuisine for your liver. Lowering your intake of saturated fats, refined carbohydrates and animal protein and avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol are other recommendations that are good both for your liver and overall body health.

Dandelion root and artichoke are both excellent spring time dietary condiments that are very helpful in improving liver bile flow. In addition to these food choices, supplements like L-methionine are an excellent choice for a congested liver. This sulfur-containing amino acid not only improves bile flow but also helps protect liver glutathione. Glutathione peroxidase is one of the body's major detoxification enzymes and is in part defended by methionine during a toxic challenge to the liver. . . .

The article goes on to describe the function of Milk Thistle. It concludes that the most potent substances for protecting the liver are Milk Thistle, Dandelion and L-methionine. L-methionine is classed as a "supplement," and Milk Thistle and Dandelion as "botanical medicines."

 

The article includes the following recommended reading:

 

1) _Foundations of Health: The Liver's Digestive Herbal_ by C. Hobb (sc) 234pp $18.95.

2) _Milk Thistle: The Liver Herb_ by C. Hobb (bklt) 32pp. $5.95

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"NATURAL INTERFERON BOOSTERS"
by Zoltan P. Rona MD, MSc

 

Interferon is a substance produced by the body's white cells to fight infections, cancer, allergies and toxic chemical poisoning. Interferon can be made artificially and injected for some cancers and viral infections like hepatitis C. Studies indicate that many natural substances can activate the body's own production of interferon. Some better known natural interferon boosters are:

 

·Astragalus: a Chinese herb that enhances the antibody reaction to foreign invaders of all types including cancer.

·Boneset: a native American Indian herb with antiseptic, anti-viral properties used for the treatment of colds and flus, coughs, fevers, indigestion and pain.

·Chlorophyll: a plant pigment which can be found in a long list of green leafy vegetables and algae like spirulina, chlorella and barley green.

·Coenzyme Q10: an antioxidant involved in the electron transport chain needed for all energy dependent processes in the body. CoQ10 increases helper T-cells and reduces infection risk.

·Echinacea: the most popular herb in North America used as a treatment for toothaches, bites or stings and all types of infections.

·Ginkgo: a potent central nervous system antioxidant for the treatment of circulation disorders, memory problems, high blood pressure, depression, tinnitus and immune system disorders.

·Licorice: an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic herb used to boost energy, treat respiratory tract infections as well as female disorders, ulcers, adrenal insufficiency and congestion.

·Melatonin: a hormone produced by the pineal gland with strong antioxidant and immune system boosting properties.

·Milk Thistle (Silymarin): a herb most commonly recommended as a liver cleanser and complementary medical treatment for hepatitis.

·Medicinal Mushrooms: Reishi, Maitake, Shiitake, Kombucha and others stimulate many aspects of the immune system including the production of interferon. *****WARNING these can be dangerous.

·Siberian Ginseng: stimulates T-cell and B-cell activity, energy, libido, body fat burning and many stress-related conditions.

·Vitamin C and bioflavonoids, especially proanthocyanidins (pycnogenols) like grape seed extract, pine bark extract and bilberry, quercetin, hesperidin and catechin are powerful antioxidants.

 

There are over a dozen more natural interferon boosters available at most health food stores and pharmacies alone or in combination. For more information about safe and effective natural ways to boost immunity, see your health care practitioner.