Liver Health
An essential part of the human body, which is crucial to sustaining general health is the liver. It oversees breaking down the nutrients in the food we eat, getting rid of dangerous chemicals, and making bile to help with digestion [1].
However, many disorders are also linked with the liver that can impair its performance and result in life-threatening medical issues.
Liver Disorders
Illnesses called hepatic disorders affect how the liver works. Viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, and liver cancer are only a few examples of the many hepatic illnesses.
The term "liver disease" is particularly a broad variety of illnesses, minor to severe, that can seriously harm the liver tissue and limit its capacity to operate.
A chronic disease known as the liver disease affects the liver, which is essential to the body's metabolism and detoxification [2].
Exploitation of alcohol is among the most frequent reasons for liver damage. Alcoholic liver disease, which can range in severity from a moderately fatty liver to a severe case of cirrhosis, can be brought on by excessive alcohol intake. Fat builds up in the liver, causing fatty liver, which is a disorder that is sometimes treatable.
The liver can become scarred and lose its ability to operate because of the irreversible disease known as cirrhosis.
The severity of the problem might affect the symptoms of liver disease. Liver illness may not exhibit any symptoms in the initial stages, but if the condition worsens, it may cause fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
In extreme circumstances, liver illness can lead to liver failure, which can lead to potentially fatal side effects including bleeding, abdominal fluid accumulation, and liver cancer.
Obesity, hereditary conditions including Wilson's disease and hemochromatosis, and viral infections like hepatitis B and C are some other causes of liver illness.
Depending on the underlying illness, these symptoms may appear gradually or quickly.
Maintaining liver health requires preventing hepatic disorders.
Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding pollutants, being vaccinated against hepatitis, and limiting alcohol use are just a few strategies that can help prevent liver problems.
Liver transplantation can be required in extreme situations.
Regular liver disease testing is crucial, especially if there is a family history of the condition or if you have previously had risk factors for it.
Depending on the underlying illness, there are many approaches to treating hepatic ailments. For instance, antiviral drugs may be used to treat viral hepatitis, whereas lifestyle changes including following a balanced diet and exercising regularly are advised for NAFLD or alcoholic liver disease.
A liver function test can spot the first hints of liver inflammation or injury.
In conclusion, the liver is crucial for sustaining general health, and hepatic illnesses can have a negative influence on how well it works [3].
The chance of having hepatic illnesses can be significantly decreased by taking preventative steps, such as getting vaccinated against hepatitis and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Quercetin
Quercetin is typically one of the six subclasses of flavonoid chemicals; it is classified as flavanol.
Naturally, quercetin is an auxin transport inhibitor.
They are present in many parts of the plant as well as in many fruits and vegetables.
The most prevalent flavonoid molecules are quercetin-type flavanols, which are found in plants as quercetin glycosides.
Quercetin can benefit many bad health conditions.
It has been proven through clinical experimentation to be very safe and effective against multiple bad health conditions including Cardiovascular diseases, Cancer, Inflammatory disorders, Allergies, Arthritis, Bladder infections, Skin diseases, Diabetes, Blood pressure, Liver disorders, and Dementia [4].
Quercetin owes its possible antioxidant properties to the phenolic hydroxyl group and the existence of a double bond. Cancer and cardiovascular illnesses can be prevented and treated because of quercetin's antioxidant qualities.
The effectiveness and safety of quercetin against all these disorders have been proved through scientific experiments.
Inflammation is triggered by free radicals in the body; however, antioxidants help scavenge and neutralize free radicals. So, it stands to reason that quercetin, an antioxidant flavonoid, would also have anti-inflammatory characteristics.
Multiple studies have shown that daily quercetin supplementation lowers levels of c-reactive protein, an inflammatory biomarker that is increased in illnesses including heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.
The antioxidant quercetin has shown anti-cancer capabilities, which is one of the reasons eating a lot of bright fruits and vegetables is so incredibly healthy. Yet, it has been demonstrated that quercetin prevents the development and multiplication of cancer cells.
Several laboratory and animal studies show quercetin's capacity to slow down the development of cancer cells and even trigger cancer cell death in a variety of cancer types (breast, colon, ovarian, lung, and prostate).
The cardiovascular advantages of quercetin go beyond its anti-inflammatory properties. It decreases high cholesterol, reduces blood pressure, and raises HDL levels. It protects our hearts in many different ways [5].
It has been found that quercetin also plays a crucial role in improving liver health and treating almost all the impairments associated with the liver. It acts through different processes and is a scientifically proven remedy for such disorders. these processes and different studies of quercetin in this regard will be discussed in this article.
Role of Quercetin in Treating Liver Disorders
Different studies have been performed to check the effectiveness of quercetin in the treatment of different ailments related to the liver.
These studies have shown that quercetin can act through different processes in curing different liver ailments and improving its functions.
Following major properties of quercetin make it suitable for this purpose:
Anti-inflammatory Action
Quercetin is a crucial compound with anti-inflammatory properties. It can help reduce inflammation in many liver impairments such as fatty liver disorder and NAFLD. Studies have shown that quercetin given to patients with such disorders helps in the alleviation of pain as well as inflammation [6].
Antioxidant Action of Quercetin
It has been found that quercetin can reduce the amount of oxidative stress in liver cells. The accumulation of ROS in hepatocytes leads to damage to these cells and many disorders can result leading to severe symptoms that may become chronic. So, in such cases, quercetin can reduce the amount of ROS in these cells and protect them. It can not only help in the prevention of liver disorders but also in the treatment of chronic illnesses.
Anti-fibrotic Action
Studies have also shown that quercetin has the potential to inhibit the formation of fibrotic material or scar tissues in the liver. As the formation of such tissues can lead to severe liver illnesses including cirrhosis, quercetin can help in the prevention of such disorders through its antifibrotic action. Moreover, in the case of such disorders, it can also help in the treatment with no side effects [7].
Regulation of Lipid Metabolism
In many cases, fat accumulates in the cells of the liver. This results in many liver ailments. Studies have shown that quercetin can control the formation of lipids in hepatocytes. This can help prevent or treat many disorders of the liver [8].
So, by acting through any of these mechanisms, quercetin can help in improving the functions of the liver as well as in the prevention and treatment of many impairments of the liver.
Preclinical and Clinical Trials Data
Many experimental studies have been performed in animal models as well as in human patients with different liver illnesses and the safety and efficacy of quercetin have been observed.
Quercetin is always found safe and effective in improving liver health as well as in the treatment of liver disorders.
A study was performed on rats with NAFLD. These were randomly given either a placebo or quercetin for a specific time period. It was observed that there was a significant reduction in symptoms of rats that were treated with quercetin [9].
Another preclinical study was performed in mice which were used as animal models for acute liver injury. These were given quercetin and positive outcomes were observed. The mechanism of action of quercetin was also observed and the alleviation of symptoms was linked with the reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress by quercetin.
In vitro study was also performed for an alcoholic liver disorder. The cells with this disorder were treated with quercetin. It was observed that quercetin repaired the damage in hepatocytes that was caused as a result of the use of alcohol. So, it can be significant in treating alcohol-caused liver ailments [10].
Similarly, studies have also been performed on human patients with different types of liver disorders, and the safety and efficacy of quercetin are confirmed in humans.
A study was performed on human patients with NAFLD. These were randomly given either a placebo or supplements of quercetin. It was seen that there were significant results of treatment in patients who were given quercetin as compared to those given a placebo [11].
Another study was performed on hepatitis C patients that have severe symptoms of the disorder. They were divided randomly into two groups. One of them was just given a placebo as a control while the second one was given quercetin. Significant outcomes were observed in patients who were given quercetin. All the symptoms were alleviated, and no side effects were seen.
One of the clinical studies was performed on human patients with non-alcoholic hepatitis disorder. These were given a combination of quercetin with curcumin compound. Significant results were observed in all the patients who took this combinational therapy with no side effects [12].
So, from the above-reported data, it can be concluded that quercetin is a promising therapy in treating liver illnesses and improving its function. It has no side effects and can be used either as a monotherapy or combinational therapy.
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