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Research Shows that the Curmcuminoids
in
Turmeric Could Slow Cirrhosis of the Liver
June
12, 2010
What
Is Cirrhosis of the Liver?
The liver is a filtering organ where blood vessels carry blood through
it. When the liver is damaged from things such as chronic excess alcohol
consumption, scar tissue replaces healthy tissue reducing the flow of
blood through the liver. As this scarring forms the liver loses its
ability to carry out its normal functions which are sited below.
Liver
The liver is the heaviest gland in the body weighing about 3 pounds
in the average sized adult and the second largest organ next to the
skin. It is one of the most important organs because of its many roles
in the body. It’s roles in digestion include the production of bile
for emulsifying fats so that they are more water-soluble, allowing enzymes
to break it down more easily, releases a small amount of sodium bicarbonate
with the bile to help neutralize gastric acid, and increases the absorption
of fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K.
Proper
Liver Function and Overall Health
The human liver is extremely important to our overall health as it manufacturers
13,000 chemicals, 2,000 enzymes, plus thousands of other synergists
for body functions. The liver is responsible for what is called humanizing
nutrients. In other words, as we take in nutrients, such as vitamins,
it has to convert them into forms that our body can recognize and use.
Besides the digestion of fats, other processes
the liver is responsible for include, the breakdown of excess hormones
such as estrogen, production of cholesterol for cell and brain health,
works with the pancreas to regulate blood sugar, filters blood, breaks
down old red blood cells, neutralizes harmful substances, and changes
toxic substances from a fat soluble form into a mycellized, or water,
form that the kidneys can excrete.
Causes and Progression of Cirrhosis of
The Liver
The causes of cirrhosis of the liver include chronic alcohol and drug
abuse, malnutrition, toxins, infections, hepatitis, autoimmune disease,
as well obesity. The liver is known for its ability to regenerate when
damaged, but when cirrhosis becomes advanced the liver can no longer
repair itself. In the beginning stages of cirrhosis of the liver the
individual may not exhibit any symptoms. However, as it progresses
the symptoms are the same no matter what the cause: fatigue, nausea,
weight loss, abdominal pain and bloating, anorexia (loss of appetite),
ascites (an abnormal intraperitoneal accumulation, within the peritoneal
cavity, the area that contains the abdominal organs, of fluid containing
large amounts of proteins and electrolytes, or minerals), variocosites,
or varicose veins, which are twisted, enlarged veins at the skin surface
usually in the legs or the lower trunk, and spider angiomas (spiderlike
blood vessels on the surface of the skin).
The Protective Nature of the Curcuminoids
in Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that has been used for 5,000 years as a condiment
and is grown in India, Jamaica, the Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia,
and China. Its natural deep yellow-orange color comes from the natural
occurring curcuminoids.
Besides its use as a condiment it has also been used for centuries to
treat a variety of health problems. It is these curcuminoids that are
primarily responsible for its many health benefits including the following:
anti-inflammatory
analgesic
anti-tumor
antioxidant
anti-bacterial
calmative
digestive aid
diuretic
anti-spasmodic
antiseptic
Other
Benefits of Curcuminoids
Other benefits include the ability to reduce homocysteine, a toxic amino
acid that can damage the blood vessels, bones, and the brain, regulate
immune cells, and control harmful substances that produce excess inflammation
that can contribute to the development of cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Has the ability to reduce the congestion and inflammation in the mucus
membranes that coat the stomach and intestines decreasing irritation
and preventing infection because of its anti-bacterial properties. A
study done in 2006 showed that curcumin was safe and effective therapy
for preventing a relapse in patients who had inactive ulcerative colitis.
Other researchers found that mice who were subjected to irritants to
induce the symptoms of colitis, had less inflammation of the intestinal
lining when fed a diet rich in curcuminoids.
Study
Reveals Protective Role of Turmeric Against Inflammation of the Liver
A specialist journal of the British Medical
Association, called Gut, included a study done in 2010 that damage to
the liver induced by progressive inflammatory conditions, including
primary sclerosing cholangitis and primary
biliary cirrhosis may be delayed by the herb turmeric.
Primary biliary cirrhosis
is a chronic disease that causes the bile ducts in the liver to become
inflamed and damaged and, ultimately, disappear. Bile is a liquid produced
in the liver that travels through the bile ducts to the gallbladder
and then the small intestine, where it helps digest fats and fat-soluble
vitamins A, D, E, and K. When the bile ducts become damaged from chronic
inflammation, bile builds up in the liver, injuring liver tissue.
In primary sclerosing cholangitis,
the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts become inflamed, scarred
and thickened (sclerotic), narrowed, and finally obstructed. Obstruction
of the ducts can lead to abdominal pain, itching, jaundice, infection
in the bile ducts (cholangitis), and liver scarring that leads to liver
cirrhosis and liver failure. It was previously thought to be a rare
disease, but more recent studies have shown that it may affect up to
1 in 3-4,000 people; the sex ratio is at least 9:1 (female to male).
The underlying causes of the inflammation in both of these liver diseases
is believed to be genetic defects and autoimmunity disorders.
Actions
of Curcuminoids
The curcuminoids in turmeric help to clean the liver by increasing bile
flow and building healthy liver cells. Besides helping the liver to
break down toxins the curcuminoids also work to prevent toxins and alcohol
from being turned into substances that can damage the liver.
Results
of 2010 Study
In this study mice with chronic liver inflammation had curcuminoids
added to their diet for for a period of four to eight weeks. The researchers
found that the added curcuminoids reduced bile duct blockage and slowed
down liver cell (hepatocyte) damage and scarring (fibrosis) by interfering
with several chemical signaling pathways involved in the inflammatory
process. In the mice that did not receive the curcumionoids these positive
effects did not occur.
Michael Trauner a lead author on the study and professor of internal medicine at Medical University in Graz, Austria said, "Targeting these pathways may be a promising therapeutic approach."
Physicians currently treat
inflammatory conditions of the liver resulting in cirrhosis with ursodeoxycholic
acid, and in severe cases, a
liver transplant. The curcuminoids found in
turmeric could provide a safe alternative.
Note: Since the liver is so vital to our health we
should support it by avoiding excessive consumption of fatty foods,
especially processed
fats and oils, and fried foods, foods with added chemicals, alcohol
and exposure to chemical pollutants such as chlorine.
Besides turmeric, there are other herbs that strengthen and cleanse
the liver. At least once a year, usually in the spring, an individual
should go through an internal
cleansing program which includes a liver cleanse.
Source
MLA BMJ-British Medical Journal (2010, March 24). Indian spice may delay
liver damage and cirrhosis, study suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved
June 12, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2010/03/100323212150.htm
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