What are some good tips for liver health for a cancer patient
October 1, 2010 8:09 AM Subscribe
What are some good tips for liver health for a cancer patient
Background: My mom has been on chemotherapy for metastatic kidney cancer (to brain and lung). She just got back some liver enzyme results showing some moderate liver damage, so she needs to stop chemo, and she'll be getting a course of radiation next week to a slightly expanded tumor in her brain.
Question: What foods and dietary choices are good for liver function improvement? Googling gets me lists of liver-healthy veggies of various kinds, cauliflour, kale, carrots. She eats a pretty balanced and healthy diet already, though she avoids carbohydrates and fats more than most. My father claims that his mother who was diagnosed with Hepatitis in the early 1960s was advised to eat hard candy, but searches indicate cutting down on sugar is better for the liver--so not sure what to make of that. We're concerned about protein too, it looks like meats and fats are more work for the liver, but it's important she get protein too. So, long story short, what are some good tips for liver health?
Subquestion: what's the deal with the hard candy advice my father remembers?
Background: My mom has been on chemotherapy for metastatic kidney cancer (to brain and lung). She just got back some liver enzyme results showing some moderate liver damage, so she needs to stop chemo, and she'll be getting a course of radiation next week to a slightly expanded tumor in her brain.
Question: What foods and dietary choices are good for liver function improvement? Googling gets me lists of liver-healthy veggies of various kinds, cauliflour, kale, carrots. She eats a pretty balanced and healthy diet already, though she avoids carbohydrates and fats more than most. My father claims that his mother who was diagnosed with Hepatitis in the early 1960s was advised to eat hard candy, but searches indicate cutting down on sugar is better for the liver--so not sure what to make of that. We're concerned about protein too, it looks like meats and fats are more work for the liver, but it's important she get protein too. So, long story short, what are some good tips for liver health?
Subquestion: what's the deal with the hard candy advice my father remembers?
I know dandelion root tea has been traditionally used for healthy liver function.
posted by any major dude at 8:57 AM on October 1, 2010
posted by any major dude at 8:57 AM on October 1, 2010
Please, please do this with your physicians. I am sure your mother is taking not just one but several medications, right? (e.g. antiemetics, etc.). Many drugs are metabolized through enzymes in your liver, and stimulating or inhibiting those enzymes can = too much drug or too little drug (or the drugs will not be effective, or have worse side effects).
Okay things that you consume (even fruit juice) can inhibit or stimulate those enzymes, as can other other drugs. Many supplements, etc, that people take also can inhibit or activate those enzymes.
If people start throwing things on your list that are not regulated or fruit juice X or whatever, it is not something that you want to play with. Bring the concerns about liver health to your physicans, ask for suggestions, and if possible, if they can wrok together.
Apologize and I understand if I am flagged/deleted.
posted by Wolfster at 9:31 AM on October 1, 2010
Okay things that you consume (even fruit juice) can inhibit or stimulate those enzymes, as can other other drugs. Many supplements, etc, that people take also can inhibit or activate those enzymes.
If people start throwing things on your list that are not regulated or fruit juice X or whatever, it is not something that you want to play with. Bring the concerns about liver health to your physicans, ask for suggestions, and if possible, if they can wrok together.
Apologize and I understand if I am flagged/deleted.
posted by Wolfster at 9:31 AM on October 1, 2010
You could also try picking up a copy of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, my go-to book for many years. Written by a doctor and a nutritionist, it's sensible and focuses on foods and supplements to use and avoid for specific conditions, explaining the whys and wherefores of each.
I bought a copy for my friend who was going through chemo and she found it very helpful for questions like this.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 10:29 AM on October 1, 2010
I bought a copy for my friend who was going through chemo and she found it very helpful for questions like this.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 10:29 AM on October 1, 2010
Response by poster: I appreciate the exhortations to talk to her physicians, and they say, "eat healthy," essentially nothing different really. And Wolfster, absolutely, not looking to subvert the medical care she's already getting. Prescription for Nutritional Healing sounds like a winner. She's been over a bunch of good cancer/food books and maybe time to go back to the bookshelf for this (liver unhealth is all new for her). Mom is not actually on that many medications -- thyroid replacement, some pain stuff, and the (now off) chemotherapy drugs. I mean, other than Stage IV cancer, she's great.
posted by artlung at 12:04 PM on October 1, 2010
posted by artlung at 12:04 PM on October 1, 2010
Apparently: Artichokes (but also consider the warnings above). My grandmother recommended it to me when I had a liver-related problem, it's apparently an old well-known cure.
posted by Simon Barclay at 12:43 PM on October 1, 2010
posted by Simon Barclay at 12:43 PM on October 1, 2010
Two things I know of that are said to be good for liver health:
Milk Thistle (silymarin)
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) - I believe hospitals actually use this to repair liver damage from acetaminophen overdose and ingestion of poisonous mushrooms.
I'm at work so I don't have time to link to any info... but definitely do a little research on these if you are interested in trying supplements.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 1:21 PM on October 1, 2010
Milk Thistle (silymarin)
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) - I believe hospitals actually use this to repair liver damage from acetaminophen overdose and ingestion of poisonous mushrooms.
I'm at work so I don't have time to link to any info... but definitely do a little research on these if you are interested in trying supplements.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 1:21 PM on October 1, 2010
Try talking to her pharmacist before adding any supplements.
posted by Apoch at 4:07 PM on October 1, 2010
posted by Apoch at 4:07 PM on October 1, 2010
Response by poster: Unfortunately my Mom ended up taking a turn for the worse and died this month. I would say consult your physicians, possibly with a consultation with a nutritionist with an interest in oncology, and also to research the many books on nutrition and cancer. And yes, obviously be cognizant that supplements can have pharmaceutical effects.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
posted by artlung at 2:10 PM on October 31, 2010
Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
posted by artlung at 2:10 PM on October 31, 2010
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I wish I could remember the specific contraindicated vitamins, but I'm loathe to guess. Her oncologist will know.
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 8:34 AM on October 1, 2010