Glutathione in the Treatment of Fatty Liver/NASH/NAFLD

Have you been told you have a “fatty liver” despite not consuming high amounts of alcohol? If so, you have NAFLD or NASH.

What is NASH/NAFLD?

>> Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD, Hepatic Steatosis, NASH)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic and multifactorial disorder characterized by excessive fatty acid accumulation in liver cells. Associated with metabolic syndromes, NAFLD is increasingly being recognized as a major cause of liver disease. It is a spectrum of liver abnormalities that ranges from nonalcoholic fatty liver to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. It is estimated that 25% of the global population has NAFLD, a number projected to continue to rise, and as it does, it is expected that more of these cases will progress to end-stage disease states requiring liver transplantation. A larger percentage of liver cancers in these cases occur before end-stage liver failure, and thus are less likely to be screened for, increasing the tendencies for liver tumors to be larger and more difficult to treat at the time they are diagnosed. Testing and diagnosis of NAFLD may include blood tests, imaging, and biopsy.

What causes it? 

Risk Factors

•    Metabolic syndrome (strongest risk factor)

• increased waist circumference (obesity)

• insulin resistance

• elevations in:

  • blood sugar

  • cholesterol

  • triglycerides

  • blood pressure

  • uric acid

•    Diabetes (up to 75% of individuals with type 2 diabetes have NAFLD)

•    Sleep apnea

•    Gut microbiome effects

•    Genetic factors

Image: Friedman et al. 2018

Why is it important to address?

Patients with NAFLD are twice as likely to die of cardiovascular disease than liver disease as a result of these shared risk factors. NAFLD in itself is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease due to its impacts on vascular health and inflammation.

How does it happen & what you can do about it?

Free fatty acids from either adipose tissue (fat), or from the conversion of excess carbohydrate intake, accumulate in the liver cell resulting in oxidative stress, inflammation, and liver injury.

As such, healthy eating habits and regular exercise can reduce the amount of free fatty acids and thereby prevent or reverse NAFLD. Glutathione supplementation can also help in the recovery of NASH/NAFLD.

What is Glutathione?

Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide made from amino acids, that is present in every cell of the human body, though is highly concentrated in the liver. Known as the ‘master antioxidant’ it directly scavenges reactive oxygen species, protecting your body from oxidative damage, and plays a crucial role in detoxification and cellular health. Reduced levels of glutathione have been associated with increased disease risk and progression, including NAFLD and other liver pathologies.

In addition to healthy diet and lifestyle habits, preliminary studies have shown beneficial effects of supplemental glutathione in the treatment of NAFLD, demonstrating a reduction of ALT–a liver enzyme elevated in liver dysfunction and one of the principal NAFLD biomarkers–after four months of treatment. Other studies demonstrated intravenous glutathione rapidly improved liver function, also evidenced by reduced biomarkers, in the treatment of other liver pathologies including chronic hepatitis B. Various nutrients, amino acids, herbal extracts, and probiotics have also been shown to increase glutathione activity in the body, and may be used in conjunction for enhanced therapeutic effect.

Find out if Glutathione is an option for you!

At Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine, we offer both oral and intravenous glutathione for the treatment of NAFLD and other conditions, as part of our comprehensive approach to our patients’ unique health history and needs. If you are interested in learning more about how we can assist you, give us a call or book online to connect with one of our naturopathic doctors who would be happy to assess your case and discuss treatment options appropriate for you.

*IV therapy requires a consultation and evaluation by one of our IV doctors to assess patient eligibility and treatment goals. For more information see our IV therapy page. 

Jacalyn Sieben, ND

Sources:

Friedman, S. L., Neuschwander-Tetri, B. A., Rinella, M., & Sanyal, A. J. (2018). Mechanisms of NAFLD development and therapeutic strategies. Nature medicine, 24(7), 908–922. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-018-0104-9

Honda et al. (2017). Efficacy of glutathione for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: an open-label, single-arm, multicenter, pilot study. BMC Gastroenterology. 17:96 DOI 10.1186/s12876-017-0652-3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28789631/

Vairetti, M., Di Pasqua, L. G., Cagna, M., Richelmi, P., Ferrigno, A., & Berardo, C. (2021). Changes in Glutathione Content in Liver Diseases: An Update. Antioxidants, 10(3), 364. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antiox10030364

Qian, L., Wang, W., Zhou, Y., & Ma, J. (2017). Effects of reduced glutathione therapy on chronic hepatitis B. Central-European journal of immunology, 42(1), 97–100. https://doi.org/10.5114/ceji.2016.65894

Make Every Day Self-Care Day!

Our busy, modern lives can sometimes make it hard for us to tune into our body’s needs. Here are some of our favorite tips on how to keep balanced while keeping busy!

At home…

Get Outside

Being in nature has numerous mental and physical benefits. Nature therapy has gained popularity as a means to reduce stress and promote healing. Research has come to the same conclusion as nature therapy practices have been shown to reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and the stress hormone, cortisol, when compared to measurements in other environments. (1)

Connect With Loved Ones

It likely does not come as a surprise that social isolation is associated with increased risk for mental health problems–in particular, depression, anxiety, stress-related disorders, and anger. Try to make an active effort to spend time with people you love whether you are able to do so in person or via a virtual connection. (2)

Screen Time Breaks

While technology has improved our lives in an abundance of ways, there can be too much of a good thing. Studies show that increased screen time is associated with negative outcomes such as lowered self-esteem, increased incidence and severity of mental health issues and addictions, slowed learning and acquisition, and an increased risk of premature cognitive decline. Use your screen time wisely–in moderation and with intention. Consider setting time limits on your devices and cleaning up your follow lists on social media to make your social feeds more of a positive space to engage with. (3)

Balanced Nutrition

Enjoying a balanced variety of nutrient-rich, whole foods to fuel your body optimally helps to reduce inflammation and keep your blood sugar (and moods) stable. In general, you should aim for half of your plate to be vegetables, 1/4 complex carbs (whole grains, starchy vegetables), and 1/4 protein. Healthy fats should be incorporated into each meal (avocado, nuts, olive oil, etc), and fruit makes for excellent snacks or dessert. Water intake is imperative for the maintenance of good health and most healthy adults should aim for 2-3L of water daily.

Sleep

It’s not just for beauty! As neuroscientist Matthew Walker says, “There does not seem to be one major organ within the body, or process within the brain, that isn’t optimally enhanced by sleep (and detrimentally impaired when we don’t get enough).” Adequate, quality sleep (7-9 hours per night) is vital for tissue regeneration, and slacking on your sleep can increase your propensity for weight gain, chronic disease, and even cancer. If you are struggling to get a good night’s sleep, our naturopathic doctors would love to help!

At Saskatoon Naturopathic Medicine…

Acupuncture

An effective traditional therapy for many conditions including stress, anxiety, sleep, pain, digestion, and hormonal concerns.

Massage

Our knowledgeable massage therapists offer relaxing and therapeutic massage as well as myofascial release and patient self-care education such as stretching, strengthening and postural awareness.

Somatic Experiencing™

Somatic Experiencing™ is a body-based approach to treating the effects of trauma. Specifically, the symptoms that arise when trauma is held in the body, including chronic or severe pain that does not respond well to medication, headaches, digestive issues, fear, difficulty sleeping, anxiety and depression. Somatic Experiencing™ works with the nervous system and the body’s innate ability to heal and recover from the symptoms of physiological stress. Treatment is gentle, supportive and enhances the effectiveness of the traditional exercise-based physiotherapy and counselling approaches.

Nutritional IV Therapy

IV nutrient therapy is a method of administering water-soluble nutrients (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids) directly into the blood stream. When you infuse nutrients intravenously, you bypass the digestive system, and this achieves a higher blood concentration beyond what is orally possible, especially if digestive function is compromised. Great for many conditions as well as health optimization and energy support. (See our website or call the clinic for more details).

Targeted Therapeutics

If you are looking for a comprehensive approach to your self-care, book a consultation with one of our naturopathic doctors who will conduct a thorough assessment of your health and come up with a customized plan just for you! With a variety of treatment modalities and testing options available, a targeted treatment plan can eliminate some of the guess-work and help you reach your self-care goals more quickly.

Written by Jacalyn Sieben ND

Sources:

1. Hansen, M. M., Jones, R., & Tocchini, K. (2017). Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(8), 851. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14080851

2. Henssler, J., Stock, F., van Bohemen, J. et al. (2021). Mental health effects of infection containment strategies: quarantine and isolation—a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 271, 223–234. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-020-01196-x

3. Neophytou, E., Manwell, L.A. & Eikelboom, R. (2021). Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Neurodevelopment, Learning, Memory, Mental Health, and Neurodegeneration: a Scoping Review. Int J Ment Health Addiction 19, 724–744. DOI: 10.1007/s11469-019-00182-2

Interested in IV therapy to help you feel on top of your game?

Here’s what you need to know:

IV therapy is available at our clinic for current patients of our clinic. If you are not a patient of the clinic, please book an initial visit with one of our doctors.

(If you are under the care of a naturopathic doctor or integrative medical doctor outside this clinic, you may reach out to our reception team to request an external IV referral form to be completed by your health care practitioner.)

If you are a current patient and you are interested in starting IV therapy, these are the next steps you need to follow:

STEP 1 : Call in to book a 30min IV consultation appointment. Please note that Dr. Reid ND does NOT perform IV therapy.

STEP 2: Bring in any blood work that you have had completed in the last 6-12months to this IV Consultation.

At this IV consultation, one of our three IV trained naturopathic doctors will want to hear what your health goals are and assess your eligibility for IV therapy.  This assessment includes a review of your medical history,  current blood work, a brief physical exam and a discussion on options available to you.  Based on the IV required, baseline health, and the review of past blood work, the naturopathic doctor may request more blood work be completed prior to the first IV booking.

When the assessment is complete and you are deemed eligible for IV therapy, the naturopathic doctor will customize an IV treatment plan with goals, expectations, and monitoring parameters set out. The naturopathic doctor will inform you of how to prepare for you IV treatment and give you information on what to expect for the process. At this point, you can proceed to book you first IV with our front reception team.

After a series of IVs are completed, you may book a follow up IV consultation with your naturopathic doctor to review evaluate your response and need for ongoing IV therapy. (Usually updated blood work and/or imaging is reviewed at this time)

MYERS COCKTAIL

What is a Myers Cocktail?

One of the most common IVs provided by naturopathic doctors across North America is a Myers cocktail. 

What is in this popular IV and what can it be helpful for? 

The Myers cocktail is an intravenous mixture of minerals and vitamins that is administered directly into a vein and is infused over a timespan of 30-45 minutes. It can be effective against asthma symptoms, migraines, fatigue, fibromyalgia, acute muscle spasm, upper respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis, and cardiovascular disease. 

The vitamins in the Myers cocktail include vitamin C, vitamin B complex, vitamin B12, magnesium, and calcium. It is a fairly simple formula. However, taking these nutrients intravenously means they are 100% absorbed into circulation which is dramatically more than the absorption through the gut with oral supplementation. Though the high levels of nutrients provided by a Myers cocktail will only last a few hours in circulation, the benefits can be profound over the long-term. 

Some patients may receive the Myers cocktail weekly or monthly. Naturopathic doctors may recommend this option when a patient has trouble with absorption (including patients with IBS or IBD) or when a patient is chronically ill and a less invasive nutritional plan is not effective.  Naturopathic doctors work with their patients with complex health conditions to identify root cause issues and assess an individuals need for advanced nutritional IV therapy.  Patients who are a candidate for this treatment will be assessed by their naturopathic doctor to ensure safety and to consider any individual modifications to the formula that may be required. 

To learn more about the effectiveness of the Myers cocktail including its history, applications, theory, and research please read the following review by Dr. Alan Gaby, MD —> Intravenous Nutrient Therapy: The “Myer’s” Cocktail.

To find out more if this or other nutrient IVs might be appropriate for you, contact our office to book an IV therapy consult with your naturopathic doctor!