A-Z liver support Articles

The globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is a type of thistle that originated in Southern Europe. The flower bud is harvested and eaten around the world, although in North America the outer layers are often removed and only the heart of the artichoke bud is eaten. The antioxidant capacity of artichoke flower heads is one of the highest reported for all vegetables. The major active constituent in globe artichokes is called cynarin, and is responsible for the slight bitter taste and health benefits.

Health Benefits & Uses Of Artichokes

Digestive Bitter

Due to its bitter taste, cynarin has been found to cause increased bile flow. Interestingly, it also inhibits specific taste receptors, which results in everything tasting sweeter for a period of time after eating. This is why even water may taste sweet immediately after eating artichokes. Supplementation with globe artichoke has also been shown to reduce the symptoms functional dyspepsia. This is not surprising since artichoke has been long established as a digestive bitter. This is a term used to describe herbs that increase the production of digestive juices and stimulate appetite. This can have a beneficial effect on the liver, gallbladder, and all the digestive organs. It can also help to reduce the symptoms of: nausea, vomiting, gas, and stomach pain.

Cholesterol Lowering and Protects Liver

Artichoke has been shown to strengthen and protect the liver. It has also been found to improve gallbladder function and raises the ratio of HDL ("good" cholesterol) to LDL ("bad" cholesterol). This improvement in blood lipids helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Water extracts from artichoke leaves have also been shown to reduce cholesterol levels by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, the enzyme responsible for cholesterol production in the liver. This is the same mechanism of action used by statin drugs such as Lipitor. One 2009 study found that artichoke extract could be used as an effective means of reducing high cholesterol.

Fibre Supporting Probiotics

Artichoke also helps to promote the growth of the top two beneficial gut microbes called Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus by providing inulin. Inulin is a beneficial fibre that acts as food for good gut bacteria and supports the proper growth of supplemented probiotics. The proper bacterial balance in the gut helps to prevent the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

How Can I Take Artichoke To Reap Their Health Benefits?

Supplementing artichoke is a relatively easy process. It can be added to the diet as part of meals, supplemented in capsule form, in liqueur (Cynar), or as a tea. The plant can be eaten as frequently as desired. When supplementing, the leaf extract can be taken to treat heartburn at a dose of 300-650mg three times daily (total dose of 900 – 1900mg daily). For lowering cholesterol, dosages at the higher end of the scale should be used.

You may be used to seeing red radishes in the grocery store, but have you ever seen a black radish? In fact, there are many different kinds of radishes and you’ll find the tastiest, heirloom varieties at your local farmer’s market. While they each possess different nutrients, black radishes have many health benefits and can be found in supplement form.

What is Black Radish?

Black radish is a type of winter radish that has rough black skin and hot white flesh. It tends to be larger and hotter that your average spring, red radish.

Black radishes have been planted in Europe since Medieval times because they are hardy vegetables that grow in cool seasons and can be stored for use in the winter. You can store them in moist soil in a box where they won’t freeze, however the more modern way to store them is in a perforated bag in the refrigerator after they are washed and dried well. Look for black radishes in your winter or spring CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) box from your local farmer.

Health Benefits of Black Radish Supplements

Black radish is very detoxifying to the liver and improves the health of the gallbladder. It is used as a cleansing food and is recommended to eat during seasonal detoxification programs. It also improves digestion because it stimulates the gallbladder and reduces inflammation in the mouth and throat. Historically, black radish was used to fight infections, especially respiratory infections. In Asia, black radish juice is used to treat coughs, colds and bronchitis.

How Does It Help Health?

The world we live in has become increasingly more toxic and our liver has to work hard to protect our body from the harmful effects of chemicals in our environment. Regularly detoxifying your liver is the key to optimum health and using vegetables like black radish is a great strategy. Black radish works to stimulate bile production in the liver and bile release by the gallbladder. Increasing bile production is a natural way to detoxify the liver and to keep it from becoming sluggish. This is particularly important for the detoxification of fat soluble toxins, making black radish a great addition to weight loss programs that tend to release fat soluble toxins into the bloodstream.

Black radish also has antimicrobial properties and works to kill bacteria, viruses and fungus. It has been shown to kill E.coli in research studies and is very effective for respiratory infections because of its antimicrobial action.

How To Use Black Radish Supplements

You can use black radish to cook with or you can eat it raw. It tastes great roasted and some people mash it after cooking it to make a zesty sauce for meats. You can add it to salads like you would use red radishes, but be prepared for more zing in your salad. Juicing black radish is another way to use it and is the best way to use it if your digestion is compromised. It tastes great mixed with celery, cucumber and tomato if you want to try making detoxifying, antimicrobial juice. However, if you do not like the potent taste of black radish, you can find the dried herb in capsule form. Often, you will find black radish added to liver detoxification supplement formulas, which makes it easy to get every thing your liver needs to work optimally.

Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) is an evergreen shrub closely related to Barberry. For more information on Barberry, please click here. Although it is called the Oregon grape, this plant is not a true grape (Vitaceae) family and has very different effects. The root has traditionally been used for hundreds of years by First Nations peoples in the treatment ofmany infections, as well as diarrhea and stomach ulcers. It is often used as an alternative to Goldenseal in herbal formulas when Goldenseal is not available, as both are rich in berberines. 

Compounds Found In Oregon Grape

Berberines

The main constituent of Oregon grape is berberine, which gives this herb its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory capabilities. Berberines have also been found to benefit: diabetes, Alzheimer's, depression, and cardiovascular disease. 

Top Uses For Oregon Grape Supplements

Preventing Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria

Interestingly, the active constituents in Oregon grape have been shown to inhibit the immunity of multi-drug resistant(MDR) bacteria, such as MRSA to antibiotics. These bacteria use a pump to shuttle the antibiotic back out of their cells as soon as it is absorbed. Oregon grape prevents the function of this pump, thus making the multi-resistant bacteria once again susceptible to prescription antibiotics. Because of this, it can be used in combination with antibiotics to help treat infections with these bacteria.

Psoriasis

It has been established by research that Oregon grape applied topically in a 10% concentration to psoriasis lesions can significantly reduce their severity and can improve the quality of life of psoriasis sufferers. Some evidence suggests that taking it internally may help as well. Further research is required, but this has interesting potential.

Tips For Taking Oregon Grape Supplements

Oregon grape can be found in capsules or tablets on its own or in combination formulas for antimicrobial, and anti-diarrheal purposes. It can also be found in skin creams for the treatment of psoriasis. The oral dosage has not yet been established by research, so following the manufacturer's label instructions is best practice.