Nourishing Your Liver: Supportive Foods for Eczema

By Dr. Diane Angela Fong, ND and Tori Taggart, MS, CNS

Eczema and its severity can be influenced by various factors, including nutrition and overall health. Symptoms of eczema can be managed and alleviated through various lifestyle choices, including nutrition changes, oftentimes starting with an elimination style diet to restrict inflammatory foods. But, while individual triggers can vary, incorporating and emphasizing certain foods known for their anti-inflammatory, hydrating, and nutrient-rich properties can support overall skin health and reduce eczema symptoms.  It can be helpful to understand not only what foods to avoid, but also what foods to focus on including! 

One often-overlooked aspect is the role of liver health in managing eczema symptoms. The liver plays a crucial role in detoxification and eliminating toxins from the body, which can impact inflammation levels and overall skin health. Incorporating liver-supportive foods into your diet may help alleviate eczema symptoms by supporting liver function and reducing systemic inflammation.

The Liver-Eczema Connection

The liver is responsible for processing toxins and waste products from the bloodstream, metabolizing medications, and producing bile for digestion. When the liver is overwhelmed or not functioning optimally, toxins can build up in the body, potentially contributing to inflammation and exacerbating conditions like eczema. In addition, if bile is has thickened or becomes sludgy, it can also impact bacteria levels of the microbiome and the health of and regularity of bowel movements

Research suggests that supporting liver health can positively impact inflammatory skin conditions like eczema. By consuming foods that support liver function and detoxification pathways, you can help your body manage inflammation more effectively, reduce toxin load, increase healthy bile secretion which all potentially leads to fewer eczema flare-ups. 

Assessing your daily dietary habits is a crucial step in determining if you have poor nutrition. Consider the composition of your meals and snacks—are they rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains? Take note of any deficiencies in essential nutrients and vitamins.

Liver-Supportive Foods For Eczema

1. Cruciferous Vegetables: Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage contain sulfur-containing compounds called glucosinolates. When these vegetables are chopped or chewed, glucosinolates are broken down into bioactive compounds such as indoles, isothiocyanates, and sulforaphane. These vegetables also provide antioxidants and fiber, promoting overall digestive health. These compounds with their strong antioxidant properties and play an important role in enhancing both phase I and phase II detoxification pathways in the liver:

   • Phase I Detoxification: Involves transforming toxic substances into less harmful compounds.

   • Phase II Detoxification: Involves conjugating toxins with water-soluble molecules to facilitate their excretion from the body. 

1. Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, arugula, and other leafy greens are rich in chlorophyll, vitamins, and minerals that support liver function and aid in detoxification. These nutrient-dense vegetables are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help protect the liver from oxidative stress and inflammation. Their high fiber content also aids in digestion and helps the liver process toxins more efficiently. By adding a variety of leafy greens to your meals, you can enhance liver function, promote detoxification, and contribute to overall well-being.

1. Turmeric: This golden spice contains curcumin, a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin supports liver health by enhancing bile production and promoting detoxification pathways.

1. Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and other berries are known for their high antioxidant content, particularly anthocyanins, flavonols, and vitamin C. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals, unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress and damage cells, including liver cells. By reducing oxidative stress, berries may help protect liver cells from damage and support overall liver function (1). 

1. Garlic and Onions: Garlic and onions contain sulfur-containing compounds such as allicin (in garlic) and sulfur compounds (in onions) that support the liver's detoxification processes. These compounds are known to stimulate the production of liver enzymes involved in detoxification. Both garlic and onions possess antioxidant properties due to their content of flavonoids, organosulfur compounds, and other phytochemicals. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can damage cells and contribute to liver inflammation and disease progression (2).

1. Healthy Fats: Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as in fatty fish (such as salmon), flaxseeds, chia seeds, or walnuts, help reduce inflammation throughout the body, including the skin. Healthy fats also help maintain skin hydration and flexibility, which can reduce dryness and itching associated with eczema. Healthy fat foods to include:

   • Avocado: Rich in healthy monounsaturated fats and vitamins C and E.

   • Olive Oil: Contains antioxidants and healthy fats that support skin health.

   • Coconut Oil: Provides medium-chain fatty acids that have moisturizing and anti-inflammatory effects.

1. Quercetin-Rich Foods: Quercetin is a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties. It can help reduce allergic reactions and inflammation associated with eczema. Apples, especially with the skin on, contain quercetin. Onions and Garlic are also rich sources of quercetin and beneficial for liver health as listed above.

Incorporating Liver-Supportive Foods into Your Diet

Here are a few suggestions to make sure you are incorporating these liver supportive choices in your daily meals:

• Include a Variety: Aim to incorporate a diverse range of liver-supportive foods into your meals and snacks throughout the week.

• Go Organic: Choose organic produce when possible to minimize exposure to pesticides and other potentially harmful chemicals that can burden the liver.

• Cook Lightly: Opt for steaming, sautéing, or lightly roasting vegetables to preserve their nutrient content. Avoid heavy frying or overcooking.

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support kidney function, which works in tandem with the liver to eliminate toxins from the body.

• Limit Processed Foods: Reduce intake of processed foods, sugary snacks, and excessive alcohol, which can burden the liver and contribute to inflammation.

Cleanbody Nutrition 

At Cleanbody, we emphasize a balanced approach to nutrition, focusing on incorporating healthy, organic proteins, an abundance of non-starchy vegetables, and small portions of complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. Our goal is to fill your plate with a diverse array of colorful plant-based foods that promote liver detoxification and anti-inflammatory actions in the body. As part of our commitment to reducing inflammation, we work to eliminate or reduce common dietary offenders.

To ensure you are eating a nutrient dense diet, make sure you prioritize whole, unprocessed foods to maximize nutrient intake and support overall health. Incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains into your meals. Whole foods provide essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, promoting optimal health and vitality.

In addition to adding the liver-supportive foods discussed in this post, also make sure to opt for organic and non-GMO which can minimize exposure to harmful pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified organisms, which may contribute to poor nutrition and adverse health effects. Choose organic produce, pasture-raised meats, and non-GMO grains whenever possible to support your body's nutritional needs and reduce toxic burden.

When you join the any of our support or complete memberships, you gain access to our comprehensive CleanFOOD Plan, featuring a database of 1400 recipes approved in our program. You also gain access to our Cleanbody app, which includes a food journaling system that can help track your eating patterns and identify areas for improvement. Alternatively, working with our Cleanbody Team, led by Dr. Fong and our experienced Cleanbody Nutritionists, ensures personalized support tailored to address your specific deficiencies, food sensitivities, and allergies, optimizing your CleanFOOD Nutrition plan for optimal health and wellness. To begin this journey, we recommend booking a consultation with Dr. Fong to undergo a thorough evaluation and kickstart your personalized nutrition plan.

Conclusion

While diet alone is not a cure for eczema, incorporating liver-supportive foods can complement therapeutic approaches to healing and support overall skin health. By nourishing your liver with nutrient-dense foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, you can potentially reduce inflammation and improve eczema symptoms. It is important to work with a professional before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have underlying health conditions or allergies, to make sure you are eating a diverse, nutrient-dense diet while still reducing inflammatory foods and encouraging supportive foods. Contact us at Cleanbody today to book your Discovery Consultation. With a balanced approach to nutrition, you can empower your body's natural ability to heal and achieve long-term skin health.

GOT QUESTIONS?

We are going live to discuss this topic on Friday, August 9 at 12:15 PM PST! Watch the live or check out the replay here:

About the Authors:

Dr. Diane Angela Fong, ND, is the CEO and founder of Cleanbody, a wellness company dedicated to treating and preventing chronic disease. She is the creator of the Cleanbody Method, which follows a three-step process: Evaluate (digging into the root causes of chronic disease using lab testing and other evaluation tools), Optimize (enhancing health foundations by addressing nutrition, lifestyle, and toxic exposures), and Support (optimizing organ functions through healing protocols).

Tori Taggart, MS, CNS is a Cleanbody Nutritionist specializing in meeting people in their healthy journeys by digging into the root causes of various chronic diseases and conditions. Through the use of healthy food along with aspects of the natural world around us (sunshine, nature, clean water, stress management, relationships, etc), she helps to empower her clients to take charge of their own health and trust their bodies to thrive and heal.

References:

1. Reuter, S., Gupta, S. C., Chaturvedi, M. M., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2010). Oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer: How are they linked? Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 49(11), 1603-1616. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2010.09.006

2. Krajka-Kuzniak, V., & Szaefer, H. (2019). Modulation of detoxification enzymes expression by plant-derived food components. Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods, 29(1), 1-22. doi:10.1080/15376516.2018.1524772

3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547852

4. Bath-Hextall, F., Delamere, F. M., Williams, H. C. (2008). Dietary exclusions for improving established atopic eczema in adults and children: Systematic review. Allergy, 63(12), 1323-1331. doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2008.01851.x

5. Javanbakht, M. H., Keshavarz, S. A., Djalali, M., Siassi, F., Eshraghian, M. R., Firooz, A., & Seirafi, H. (2014). Effects of synbiotic supplementation on skin inflammation and the gut microbiota in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis. Advanced Biomedical Research, 3, 162. doi:10.4103/2277-9175.142807

6. National Eczema Association. (n.d.). Eczema and diet: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/diet

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Affiliate & Product Disclaimer: This blog contains affiliate links and mentions of Cleanbody products. As an affiliate, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links. However, please note that the inclusion of affiliate links does not influence our editorial content or product recommendations. Our primary goal is to provide valuable information and resources to our readers to support their health and wellness journey. We only recommend products and services that we genuinely believe in and that align with our commitment to promoting holistic health. Thank you for your support!