Camu Camu: Show Your Liver Some Love

Camu Camu, a small yet mighty Amazonian berry, is one of the richest sources of vitamin C available. It can come in very handy during the winter months, while you are enjoying the festivities and your liver is working overtime.

Processing those extra glasses of wine, that second helping of pudding, and the fated post work do late-night kebab, it all adds up for the liver. But luckily the natural beauty that is Camu Camu fruit is here to help remedy your celebratory “wrongdoings”.

Throughout the festive blowouts, it’s not just about making you feel guilty for what you have enjoyed, it’s about balance. And your liver loves balance.

In fact, Camu Camu helps balance your liver by reducing oxidative stress, supporting detoxification, and promoting gut-liver harmony, giving it a lot of potential as a natural antidote against any hedonistic excesses.

The liver has many important jobs to do as a central part of the body’s detoxification system. So much so, that it processes almost everything you consume. It filters the blood, stores vitamins and minerals and produces bile for effective digestion, allowing us to assimilate nutrients from our food into our bodies right where they need to be.

Consequently, an overburdened and overstressed liver can lead to symptoms like fatigue, poor digestion, and issues like skin problems.

Over the festive season, it is no wonder that these burdens step up a gear. An increased amount of alcohol, sugar, and fatty foods coming into our systems can push the liver into overdrive. Therefore, giving it a helping hand with nutrient-rich foods and liver-loving supplements like Camu Camu is a smart way to counterbalance the effects and protect other interconnected systems like the digestive system, the immune system and the skin.

Camu Camu boasts extraordinary levels of vitamin C, and a rich array of antioxidants and bioactive compounds. While its health benefits have been celebrated in traditional medicine practices for millennia, scientists are only now finding out the secrets to its success. 

A 12-week study showed Camu Camu’s impressive liver benefits. Participants with high triglycerides and extra weight who took 1.5 grams daily reduced liver fat by 7.43%, while the placebo group saw an 8.42% increase. That’s a 15.85% difference, showing Camu Camu actively combats fat buildup, a key factor in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

In the same study, Camu Camu also improved other aspects of liver health such as liver enzyme levels (markers of liver stress), whilst supplementation was also seen to rebalance gut bacteria, another very important factor for liver health.

Antioxidants, inflammation, and your liver

Packed with antioxidants like polyphenols, it shields liver cells from free radicals while lowering inflammatory markers like IL-6 and TNF-α, often elevated during liver stress. These actions have been seen in studies to protect liver cells, whilst calming inflammation and also improving markers of metabolic health , including blood sugar control .

The good news is that small, manageable changes can make a big difference. Here are a few easy ways to incorporate liver-friendly habits into your life:

1. Add vitamin C to your day : A teaspoon of Kiki Health Camu Camu Powder in your morning smoothie can provide a refreshing start. Its tangy flavour also works well in salad dressings or stirred into herbal tea.

2. Intelligent hydration : Staying hydrated supports the liver in flushing out toxins. Add a squeeze of lemon for an extra vitamin C boost.

3. Experiment with herbal teas : Dandelion root and milk thistle teas can support liver detoxification processes.

4. Embrace the greens : Include more leafy and cruciferous vegetables in your meals. Think about including a side of broccoli or kale with festive dinners.

5. Be mindful of alcohol : Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or a non-alcoholic option. Your liver will thank you.

The idea of ‘cleansing’ can feel daunting, especially during a time of indulgence. But it doesn’t have to equal restriction. A “gentle cleanse” will support your liver without sacrificing the joy of seasonal treats.

Think of it as adding more goodness to your plate rather than taking away treats. For example, a morning smoothie with Camu Camu is an easy to prepare, nourishing option that helps your liver handle the seasonal indulgences.

Overindulgence doesn’t just affect how you feel, it can show up on your skin, too. An overwhelmed liver can lead to skin dullness, breakouts, and a lack of radiance. By lightening the liver’s load with antioxidant-rich foods, you’re also promoting a healthier, clearer complexion.

Camu Camu in products like The Nue Co. Skin Filter allows a liver-friendly diet to boost collagen production and cellular repair, and lets you glow from the inside out, even in the deepest darkest moments of winter.

Once the festive season passes, we look to the new year as a time to set new intentions for the health of our minds and our bodies. However, starting now with cleverly timed Camu Camu supplementation could just make that seasonal transition a lot easier for you.

No need for drastic detoxes here, you’re well on your way to setting the foundation of long-term vitality and go-getting.