Brassicas for Liver Function

An association has been found between higher levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and serum levels of several persistent organic pollutants (Lee & Jacobs, 2006).  Also, increased oxidative stress has been found in association with elevated GGT (Lim et al., 2004).  Brassicas are emphasized in the Detox Food Plan, and consumption of cooked, frozen brassica vegetables has been found to increase glutathione, which can conjugate many xenobiotics for elimination, in a study by Lampe et al. (2000).  These authors note that the benefit was found in people who lack a functioning GSTM1 gene, which is half of all caucasians, and also that it helped women more than men. 

 

A study by Hinako et al. (2015) found several dietary patterns that were associated with higher or lower levels of GGT and that also seem relevant to the Detox Food Plan.  In their introduction they cite others studies that found GGT to be higher with increased intake of alcohol, carbs, sugar and coffee, and lower with increased intake of antioxidants, carotenoids, and iron, all of which would be in line with the Detox Food Plan.  The dietary pattern that they called healthy and that they found to be associated with lower levels of GGT included foods like leafy greens, broccoli and cabbage, soybeans, fish, and generally lots of vegetables, all of which are encouraged on the Detox Food Plan.  They note the vitamins, minerals, and fiber in the vegetables as being beneficial to reduce GGT.

 

Another study (Lee et al., 2004) found GGT to be lower in people eating a diet rich in Vitamin C, β-carotene, folate, and fiber, but higher if these nutrients were obtained from supplements.  This finding supports the effort to adhere to the Detox Food Plan for better health rather than eating a less nutritious diet and trying to get nutrients from supplements. 

 

References:

 

Hinako Nanri, Megumi Hara, Yuichiro Nishida, Chisato Shimanoe, Kazuyo Nakamura, Yasuki Higaki, Takeshi Imaizumi, Naoto Taguchi, Tatsuhiko Sakamoto, Mikako Horita, Koichi Shinchi, Akatsuki Kokaze, & Keitaro Tanaka. (2015). Dietary Patterns and Serum Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase in Japanese Men and Women. Journal of Epidemiology, 25(5), 378–386. 

 

Lampe, J. W., Chen, C., Li, S., Prunty, J., Grate, M. T., Meehan, D. E., Barale, K. V., Dightman, D. A., Feng, Z., & Potter, J. D. (2000). Modulation of human glutathione S-transferases by botanically defined vegetable diets. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : A Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology, 9(8), 787–793. 

 

Lee, D.-H., Steffen, L. M., & Jacobs, D. R., Jr. (2004, April 1). Association between serum [gamma]-glutamyltransferase and dietary factors: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 79(4), 600. 

 

Lee, D.-H., & Jacobs, D. R., Jr. (2006). Association between serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and gamma glutamyltransferase: results from the National Health and Examination Survey 1999-2002. Clinical Chemistry, 52(9), 1825–1827. 

 

Lim, J.-S., Yang, J.-H., Chun, B.-Y., Kam, S., Jacobs, J. D. R., & Lee, D.-H. (2004). Is serum γ-glutamyltransferase inversely associated with serum antioxidants as a marker of oxidative stress? Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 37(7), 1018–1023.