“A healthy liver is the foundation for a healthy body.” – C Sarich

There are hundreds of pharmaceuticals which can cause acute liver damage, and others which are definitely not kind to this extremely important organ of the body (which is in charge of over 500 bodily functions). Many people eschew prescription drugs altogether due to bodily damage like this, but if you are still weaning yourself from the traditional medicinal paradigm or you must take a prescription drug for some other reason, here are 4 ways to protect your liver since it becomes highly compromised when taking most pharmaceuticals.

(Just don’t forget to confirm with your doctor that the following will not negatively interact with any medications you may be taking).

1. Milk Thistle

Used for over 2000 years as a medicinal herb, namely for liver, kidney and gallbladder problems, milk thistle is a must-have for any liver cleanse diet. This herb has been helpful in protecting it from other medications due to a flavonoid called silymarin and can even protect the liver from over-the counter Tylenol. Milk Thistle is also a super-powered antioxidant which protects the body from oxidative stress damage.
One of the ways in which milk thistle protects liver cells is by preventing a reduction in the concentration of glutathione in the body. This is an amino-acid like compound which neutralizes toxins. In many studies, milk thistle has been shown to increase glutathione levels by more than 35%. This compound is so helpful to the body that it actually alters the outer membranes of cells, making them impervious to many toxins that would otherwise find their way into the cell, while promoting the formation of newer, healthier cells to replace old, tired ones. Continue reading →