Mucuna Pruriens Liver
Written by Ben Bunting: BA, PGCert. (Sport & Exercise Nutrition) // British Army Physical Training Instructor // S&C Coach.
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Mucuna pruriens, commonly known as Velvet bean, is a tropical plant that grows throughout India, the Caribbean and tropical areas of Africa. It is a source of L-dopa, a natural ingredient that has been shown to improve the quality of life in Parkinson’s disease patients.
Mucuna pruriens seed powder has long been used in traditional Ayurvedic Indian medicine for diseases such as Parkinson’s. It is also used to treat erectile dysfunction.
What Is the Liver?
The liver is an essential organ in our body, a chemical laboratory that helps our body function. It cleanses blood of toxins, performs important functions for digestion and metabolism, and stores fat-soluble vitamins and minerals like iron and copper.
The human liver is one of the largest organs in our body, and is located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, to the right of the stomach. It is protected by the ribs, sits below the lungs and diaphragm, and is about three pounds in weight (1.3kg).
A healthy liver is able to regenerate itself, unlike many other organs in the body. In addition, the liver plays an important role in regulating the blood sugar levels of a person’s body, producing factors that are involved in blood clotting and storing extra glucose (sugar) for a short period of time when the body needs it.
What is the Structure of the Liver?
The liver is a reddish-brown pyramid shaped organ that weighs around 150 grams at birth and increases to 1200-1500 grams in adulthood. It is made of multiple cells which are called hepatocytes that are arranged to form two main lobes, separated by a band of fibrous tissue.
Each lobe is further divided into eight segments that each contain an estimated 1,000 small lobules. Each of these lobules contains a tube that runs into other ducts that join together and become the common hepatic duct. The common hepatic duct then becomes the common bile duct that runs into the small intestine.
What Is the Function of the Liver?
The liver is an organ that has several important functions, including manufacturing many essential body proteins that play a vital role in blood clotting, providing resistance to infection, and regulating the balance of sex hormones. It also produces and excretes bile, which is helpful in digesting fats in the diet.
How Do You Care for Your Liver?
It is important to have a balanced diet, limit the consumption of alcohol, and take medication only as prescribed by your doctor. The liver is the only organ in the body that can regenerate itself, which means that if the liver is damaged or destroyed, new cells will start to replace the old ones.
What Causes Liver Disease?
The main causes of liver diseases are viral hepatitis, autoimmune disease, alcoholism, elevated levels of bilirubin, and primary liver cancer. A liver that is injured as a result of injury, infection, or by taking drugs can also be a cause of liver disease.
What are the symptoms of a liver that is failing?
The most common symptoms of liver disease are nausea, vomiting, right upper quadrant pain, jaundice (yellowing on the skin), fatigue, weakness and weight loss. This is because the liver is responsible for many crucial tasks in the body and if it fails, it can lead to serious health problems.
How does Mucuna Pruriens Effect the Liver?
1. Improves bilirubin levels
Inflammation and oxidative stress are key components of hepatotoxicity. These inflammatory processes activate the transcription factor NF-kB which results in activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and an increased production of enzymes that damage liver tissue. This hepatotoxicity can be reversed by a cocktail of antioxidant phytochemicals.
A recent study on mucuna pruriens has found that this plant is able to improve bilirubin levels in your liver. This is because it contains antioxidants that scavenge free radicals and protect your liver.
Mucuna pruriens has been shown to protect against liver damage from certain toxicants such as CCl4 and rifampicin. The extract was given to animals after exposure to these compounds and the results showed that the serum bilirubin level decreased significantly after treatment.
Interestingly, the extract produced a stronger effect than silymarin, the standard drug.
2. Relieves pain in the liver
Mucuna pruriens, or velvet bean, is an herbal remedy used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine. It is thought to boost dopamine levels in the brain and has been shown to reduce symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, improve sleep, and improve fertility in men. It also has mild sedative effects, which is why it may be useful for improving depression and sleep.
Some studies show that mucuna pruriens can help to protect the liver from certain bacteria. This is because the plant contains a number of different compounds that have anti-microbial properties. It is important to note that the plant's seeds and leaves contain a high level of tryptophan, which inhibits the growth of bacteria.
Besides its potential to prevent the growth of bacteria, mucuna pruriens can also help to reduce inflammation in the liver. This is because the plant contains a variety of antioxidants that can help to fight against free radical damage in the liver.
3. Strengthens the immune system
Mucuna pruriens is a popular herb that has many benefits. It is often used to support a healthy nervous system, strengthen and tone the reproductive organs, improve testosterone levels in men and help fight depression.
It also contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can protect the body from disease and boost the immune system.
This herb has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of health issues. It can help prevent cancer, diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. It can also lower the risk of developing osteoporosis and help to regulate blood pressure.
In addition, Mucuna pruriens can also have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties that help to promote healthy skin and eyes. It can also help to regulate blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels.
Mucuna pruriens can help to boost the production of red blood cells and prevent anemia. It can also help to decrease blood clotting and increase blood flow throughout the body.
It is also a good source of Vitamin C, which is an essential nutrient for a healthy immune system. It can also help to increase your energy levels and improve mental focus.
Finally, it can help to promote a healthy digestive tract. It has been shown to improve digestion in both humans and animals. It is especially helpful for people who are prone to diarrhea or gas.
Conclusion
Mucuna pruriens is also a powerful natural mood-boosting agent. It contains the neurotransmitter L-dopa, which has been shown to help people with Parkinson's disease feel less dragged down by their symptoms.
It is also an antidiabetic herb, and a recent study found that it helped control blood sugar levels in rats. The seeds of the plant are rich in d-chiro-inositol, an antioxidant that can help lower blood sugar.
Mucuna has been used for many health benefits throughout history, and it is gaining popularity among bodybuilders for its ability to boost testosterone. It also has antidepressant effects and is a potent nervine tonic for stimulating sperm quality, motility, and count in men with fertility issues.
It is a good source of vitamin B1, phosphorus, and iron, mucuna pruriens is also a source of 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzene-1,2-diol, a dopamine precursor that helps to improve mood and stimulates sexual desire. It is particularly beneficial for people who suffer from a deficiency of this hormone, which is often found in the brain and can cause issues such as depression, lack of motivation, memory loss, fatigue, and more.
It is important to note that you should not use mucuna pruriens if you are taking antidepressants or anti-Parkinson's drugs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors or MAOIs). These drugs can break down dopamine and increase your risk of developing high blood pressure.
In addition, mucuna pruriens should be avoided by those who are pregnant or breastfeeding because it can cause birth defects. This is because the bean powder has trypsin inhibitors which can block protein absorption.
Mucuna pruriens can also be dangerous for people with low MAO enzyme activity. They can be sensitive to its effects and can experience excessively high dopamine levels.
