Juicing

[humbled]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the forum and was wondering if anyone had thoughts on juicing?

Are cold-pressed juices good for the liver? I try to get juices that are mostly greens/vegetables, rather than fruit.

I'm concerned because I've seen stuff online that says one should avoid Vitamin A with liver scarring, and I know leafy greens, beets, and carrots have lots of A.

I've always thought that veggies (organic) are good for the liver, so I'm confused.

[KimInTheForest]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the forum and was wondering if anyone had thoughts on juicing?

Are cold-pressed juices good for the liver? I try to get juices that are mostly greens/vegetables, rather than fruit.

I'm concerned because I've seen stuff online that says one should avoid Vitamin A with liver scarring, and I know leafy greens, beets, and carrots have lots of A.

I've always thought that veggies (organic) are good for the liver, so I'm confused.

My understanding of the Vitamin A/liver thing is that you shouldn't take Vitamin A supplements. Leafy green veggies, beets, carrots, etc. actually have high beta-carotene, not vitamin A. The liver converts beta-carotene to Vitamin A to whatever extent it is needed. (If anyone knows otherwise, please correct me.) And so I have always felt it is a good thing for overall health to eat lots of fresh organic veggies. Juicing is a great way to do it. But I simply use the blender, which means I am getting the fiber as well, but that's not a bad thing, imo.

As for fruits, I am a big consumer of whole, organic fruits. But I have heard cautions to avoid tropical fruits like mangos and papayas because they contain papien (sp?) which is what meat tenderizer is based on. So they can "tenderize" the liver...? I am not sure if that's true. I also have seen some mention of avoiding grapefruit juice. Not sure if any of those fruits actually damage the liver. I consume them anyway because I like them - but only in organic form with no sugar added, and ideally hand-squeezed or fresh pressed.

For me, I felt the most important things I did diet-wise after being diagnosed were: reducing/eliminating all foods with added sugar, and reducing/eliminating salt. I stopped buying candy bars or anything else with sugar in it. I quit adding salt to anything I cooked or ate.

kim

[Lynn K]

Also a lot depends on if you have serious liver damage already. For those of us with advanced liver disease we have to use caution about all medicines, supplements, and even foods.

All things in moderation and for us maybe not all things. Everything we do consume must be in moderation.

Too much of anything is not good especially if you have cirrhosis.

Good luck with your treatment

[Luna7]

Damm I was hoping to discover it was bad to eat this nasty-tasting kale ;0

[humbled]

I love kale

Thanks for the tips - I've been very careful to avoid sodium rich foods, and sugar altogether.

I usually buy cold-pressed juices from a nearby market, usually the juices made from organic greens, or sometimes beets.

I think I'm going to buy a home juicer, once I return home in the fall.

I also looked up a number of anti-inflammation foods and I've tried to incorporate them into my diet.

Some of my favorites include blueberries, walnuts, turmeric, and ginger.

[KimInTheForest]

Sounds like you are on the right track diet-wise, humbled.

kim

[humbled]

Does anyone know anything about apple cider vinegar? I've heard it's good against inflammation...