Benefits Of Salmon Liver For Liver Detoxification

Introduction

The liver is an organ located in the upper abdomen and performs numerous functions to keep your body functioning properly. Maintaining liver health is important as it prevents the onset or development of various non-infectious diseases such as diabetes or liver cirrhosis. It is mainly responsible for removing waste products in the body, aiding the immune response, and supplying glucose to the blood when needed.¹ According to John Hopkins here are some of its most important ones:

• Bile Production: bile is necessary for digestion and is produced in the liver to help break fat down into energy
• Albumin Production: albumin is a protein circulating  in the blood carrying hormones, drugs, and fatty acids
• Carries the materials necessary for blood clotting: heparin and antithrombin²
• Bilirubin Breakdown: bilirubin is produced from bile and needs to be broken down - accumulation of bilirubin causes jaundice

Salmon for liver health

There are many foods or dietary supplements that aid liver functioning and mitigate the onset of diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Oily fish are well-known for their nutritional value and protective properties and this article will look at salmon liver specifically and its benefits for liver detoxification in humans.³ Many cultures and diets incorporate fish and seafood into their diets and have for thousands of years. Here we break down some of the reasons why this might be. 

Nutritional composition of salmon liver

Fish liver contains polyunsaturated fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A and D) is associated with a decreased risk of colon cancer as well as cancer in general. However, there is a possibility of ingesting contaminants with fish liver consumption.⁴

Key nutrients found in salmon liver

• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B12

Guil-Guerrero et al. (2011) conducted a study on the nutritional component of fish and found that fish liver is often discarded during industrial packaging but freshly caught salmon is richer in nutrients and provides more benefits. The liver stores greater fatty acids as well as a higher lipid content making it a great source of healthy fats.⁵

Omega-3 fatty acids and liver function

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats which means they are made up of a chain of carbons with multiple open slots in them. Polyunsaturated fats are considered healthy for the heart when used in moderation. Omega-3s function in your cell membranes providing structural support and aiding interactions with other cells. 

Examples of omega-3s

• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is commonly found in fish such as salmon 
• Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is also found in fish
• Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is commonly found in plants⁶

Understanding the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on liver health

Omega-3 is commonly known to improve outcomes in patients with chronic liver disease and here we will go more in-depth about its precise mechanism. In healthy patients, omega-3 may reduce the risk of developing liver disease, a protective mechanism, particularly for alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic liver disease, and liver failure if consumed regularly.⁷

Role of omega-3 in reducing inflammation in the liver

Liver inflammation, also known as hepatitis, may lead to secondary infections or carcinomas and supplementing omega-3 alongside other treatments may lead to improved outcomes but it is still unclear. One study found that omega-3 supplementation in patients with hepatitis type B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) led to better liver function after hepatectomy and decreased rate of infections. 

They also found these positive results to be associated with suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines production.⁸ Omega-3s have been known to inhibit inflammatory cytokine production from monocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells due to their ability to reduce gene expression of inflammatory cytokines.⁹ While they have benefits, it is best to take omega-3 supplements in moderation. 

Vitamin D and liver detoxification

Vitamin D is found in many sources, salmon liver being one of them. The liver cells, hepatocytes, have vitamin D receptors (VDRs) which vitamin D can bind to in inflammatory states to restore the liver to normal. Vitamin D is important for maintaining liver function and has protective effects which may be the reason why the number of VDRs increases during inflammatory states. A few of vitamin D’s roles in the liver are listed below but there are many more:¹⁰

• Improved sustained virologic response in response to hepatitis C virus
• Decreased inflammation in NAFLD
• Aids in response and clearance of hepatitis 
• Decreased fibrosis (thickening/scarring of lung tissue) in viral hepatitis or fibrosis patients 

Relationship between vitamin D deficiency and liver diseases

Vitamin D deficiency commonly co-occurs with other diseases such as chronic hepatitis C leading to the development of cirrhosis and hepatic cancer (liver cancer). A lack of vitamin D may lead to increased inflammation due to the missing anti-inflammatory action vitamin D provides which may ultimately lead to the previously mentioned diseases. 

Studies have also identified greater rates of necrosis and fibrosis in patients with vitamin D deficiency as well as lower levels of sustained viral response. This means they are less likely to fight off infections and there is a greater rate of cell death and scarring in these patients.¹¹

Vitamins B12 and A for liver health

Greater than normal vitamin B12 levels have been associated with greater incidences of NAFLD possibly due to the way B12 is metabolized in the body. It is not linked directly to liver enzyme upregulation so it may be an indirect association.¹² Additionally, vitamin A is stored in liver cells and excess vitamin A may cause a toxic effect. Vitamin A buildup can lead to hepatocyte activation and hypertrophy, excess collagen production, fibrosis, and ultimately liver injury. 

Chronic excess vitamin A consumption can lead to ascites, portal hypertension, and Esophageal varices.¹³ Salmon poses many health benefits and improves overall wellbeing but it is best not to overdo it to prevent accumulation of vitamins leading to toxic doses.   

Practical applications and recommendations

This article has covered the benefits and mechanisms for why salmon liver can improve overall health as well as touched upon some of the risks associated with excess intake. Now we will take a look at some of the ways it can be incorporated into your everyday diet and provide a few recipes.

Where can you find salmon liver?

Salmon liver is hard to find because as we mentioned earlier, many industrial practices discard the liver during packaging. However, some local fishmongers and stalls may provide whole salmon or individual packets of salmon liver. A few online sites offer delivery where you can find salmon liver usually as a concoction with other fish or fish oils. And if you have access to a river or ocean where salmon are, there’s always the option of fishing it directly yourself. 

Salmon liver recipes

If you’ve never had salmon liver before then it might be hard to think of recipes or ways of preparing it. Many sites offer fish liver recipes where you can substitute salmon liver. Here are a few ideas provided by Yummly:

• Mediterranean-style fish stew 
• Yuzu miso salmon with Fish-salt broccoli
• Boiled salmon with zesty Cabbage slaw
• Asian-style roasted whole fish
• Sushi burrito
• Duck liver parfait (substitute in salmon liver)

If trying salmon for the first time, it is best to follow the recipe instructions closely so the meat is cooked fully and provides the best results. 

Summary

To summarize, this article looked at some of the key vitamins found in salmon liver and the benefits they provide. It also looked more closely at Omega-3s and vitamin D and their role in hepatocyte functioning and what happens when the body is deficient in vitamin D. Omega-3s are often missing in people’s diets but aid our livers in reducing inflammation and providing an immune response to fight off infection. Vitamin D also aids in optimum liver function as there are vitamin D receptors located in hepatocytes that increase in number when the liver is inflamed. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to other diseases of the liver and the two tend to co-occur. Vitamins A and B12 were also looked at and they were found to cause harm if consumed in excess and lastly, a few salmon liver recipes were provided as a baseline. 

FAQs

How does salmon affect the liver?

It’s high in omega-3s which lowers fat levels in the liver and reduces inflammation

Is salmon liver safe to eat?

Salmon liver can be eaten fresh, raw, and cooked. It can be made into foods such as pate or oil.

When should you not eat salmon?

When the salmon smells fishy, sour, or ammonia-like. If the fish appears grey and discoloured, has dark spots or a filmy white residue then it is better to discard it.

Can everyone eat salmon?

Pregnant women should avoid salmon as it is not the best for the fetus and it should also be avoided by young children

How do you cook salmon liver?

Cook the slices in cooking oil until cooked throughout, turning on both sides and making sure not to overcook. Mix with other seasonings and vegetables to taste.