Liver and Hashimoto's (Part 3)

How to restore Kupffer cell function

Kupffer cells are liver macrophages that play a key role in immune defense by cleaning blood from toxins, bacteria, and damaged cells. If they don't work properly (due to toxin overload, inflammation, or fatty liver disease), the liver loses its ability to effectively fight inflammation and cleanse the body.

Recommendations for restoring Kupffer cells largely overlap with general liver support, but there are specific aspects worth emphasizing.

1. Reducing toxic load

Kupffer cells become overloaded with excess toxins, so it's important to reduce harmful substance intake:

• Clean eating – natural foods, avoiding processed products, GMOs, and added sugar.
• Water filtration – water should be purified from heavy metals and impurities
• Clean air – minimize exposure to exhaust fumes, household chemicals, and plastics (BPA)
• Limit unnecessary medications and supplements – especially antibiotics, NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac), and hormone

What to eliminate:

• Alcohol – one of the main destroyers of Kupffer cells
• Pesticides, heavy metals, preservatives – found in non-organic foods and packaging
• Excess saturated fats – with fatty liver disease, they can suppress Kupffer cell function

Anti-inflammatory nutrition

Kupffer cells are activated during inflammation, but with chronic inflammation, they begin to malfunction. To prevent this:

• Omega-3 (fish, flaxseed oil, walnuts) – powerful anti-inflammatory effect
• Turmeric (curcumin) – reduces liver inflammation and improves macrophage function
• Green tea – contains antioxidants that support the liver
• Fermented foods (goat kefir, sauerkraut, etc.) – improve microflora, reducing toxic load on the liver

3. Restoring antioxidant protection

Kupffer cells produce free radicals when processing toxins. If antioxidant protection is weakened, it leads to oxidative stress and damage to the cells.

• Glutathione – a key liver antioxidant (asparagus, avocado, citrus fruits)
• Selenium (Brazil nuts) – participates in detoxification
• Vitamin E (avocado, nuts, olive oil) – protects liver cells

4. Supporting the Intestines

If the intestines function poorly, more toxins enter the liver, overloading Kupffer cells.

• Probiotics (goat milk kefir, coconut or almond-based yogurt, fermented vegetables) – balance microflora
• Prebiotics (Jerusalem artichoke, green bananas, asparagus, flaxseed) – feed beneficial bacteria
• Limiting gluten and dairy products – reduces inflammation

Physical activity and stress reduction

• Moderate exercise – accelerates blood circulation and improves liver detoxification
• Yoga, breathing practices – reduce cortisol levels, which can suppress immune cells, including Kupffer cells

6. Herbal therapy and natural supplements

• Milk thistle (silymarin) restores liver cells, including Kupffer cells
• Curcumin reduces inflammation and supports liver immune cells
• Ashwagandha regulates stress levels, reducing liver burden
• Schisandra is an adaptogen that protects the liver from toxins

If Kupffer cells are overloaded, the liver cannot effectively cleanse the body and fight inflammation. Therefore, it's essential to support the liver as a whole and protect its immune cells from overload, inflammation, and oxidative stress.