Can Artichoke Cynarin Really Protect the Liver?

How Much Do You Know about Cynarin Extract?

Cynarin Powder is obtained from artichokes (Cynara Scolymus). Artichokes are high in minerals. In addition, they contain fiber, vitamin C, inulin, and polyphenols. Its ingredient depends upon the part of the plant, as well as other factors like variety, soil type, and climate. Polyphenolic active compounds are primarily present in leaves. Therefore, artichoke leaf extract has more underlying health benefits than consuming artichokes as a vegetable. Artichoke extract is mainly utilized in herbal medicine. Artichokes are thought to stimulate certain digestive juices that work to break down fats in foods, making them easier to digest.

Where Does Artichoke Come from?

Artichokes belong to the species of thistle. In the United States, the most common varieties go by multiple names - globe artichoke, green artichoke, and so on. Its flower buds are edible and cultivated as food before the flowers bloom. Indigenous to the Mediterranean, artichokes were originally valued for their young leaves rather than immature shoots. At present, artichoke cultivation takes place mainly in Italy, Spain, and France, which border the Mediterranean basin. In the Americas, Argentina, Peru, and the United States are the largest producers. Recently, artichokes have gained a lot of attention in the natural health field due to its ability to enhance the liver's role in detoxifying the body. In short, artichokes are one of the best detox plants on the market today, relatively inexpensive and readily available. But what exactly does artichoke do for the liver? Let's have a close look.

Can Artichoke Cynarin Really Protect the Liver?

★ Artichoke Stimulates Bile Flow: Current data suggest that artichoke can stimulate the release of bile from the liver, which is achieved through a compound called cynarin. Bile is synthesized by the liver and is one of the pathways through which waste products leave the liver and are excreted through the intestines. Cynarin has been shown to improve liver function and directly affect its secretion. The study, published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), shows that artichoke not only enhances bile excretion but also promotes bile synthesis in the liver. By promoting the synthesis of bile and enhancing its secretion, artichoke helps to get rid of toxins from the body as they pass through the liver.

★ Artichoke Lowers Cholesterol and Fat Levels in the Liver: Studies have shown that artichoke extract has a remarkable effect on total cholesterol levels in the body. The effects of artichoke extract on cholesterol levels are based on 2 pivotal mechanisms: First, artichoke extract contains a compound called luteolin — a powerful antioxidant that blocks cholesterol synthesis. Second, artichoke extract can increase the metabolism of cholesterol, promoting its breakdown and elimination. The overall effect is to lower cholesterol levels in the body.

★ Artichoke Prevents Liver Damage: As mentioned earlier, artichoke is one of the best natural remedies for protecting the liver. Many studies agree that artichoke extract can effectively protect the liver from damage and even promote the growth of new liver tissue.

★ Artichoke for Liver Regeneration: Experimental and clinical evidence indicates that artichoke has an excellent hepatoprotective effect. While research on this plant and its properties on the liver is not entirely conclusive, reports suggest that artichoke has the ability to protect the liver by promoting the growth of new cells in the liver, a physiological process called hepatic hyperplasia, referred to as, liver regeneration. The liver is an extremely unique organ that can actually regenerate when parts of it are destroyed by disease or other harmful substances such as alcohol. Nevertheless, the possibilities for this regeneration are limited. Beyond this limit, further damage to the liver can cause liver failure. Studies attribute liver failure to oxidative stress and inflammation. These processes are effectively curbed by cynarin, a natural compound in artichokes. Other research has connected another compound, silymarin, with the regenerative potential of liver cells because of its antioxidant properties.

★ Artichoke for Fatty Liver: The beneficial effects of artichoke on the fatty liver has been extensively studied in humans. For example, a 2018 study involving 90 participants evaluated the effects of artichoke in the treatment of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Although NAFLD is the most common form of chronic liver disease, it has the potential to be treated. Nevertheless, at present, few pharmacotherapeutic agents are available for the treatment of this disease. Fortunately, studies have shown that taking 600 mg of artichoke extract per day for 2 months can improve liver function in people with fatty liver. Another study conducted in 2017 reinforced the above findings. The study, designed to investigate therapeutic correction of liver and biliary pathology in obese adolescents, found that daily artichoke extract supplementation for 2 months reduced inflammation and fat deposition in the liver, two major contributors to NAFLD.

If you would like to know more about Cynarin Powder and other products, please feel free to contact us at shaw@inhealthnature.com.