Black radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. niger) is used to treat gallstones and reduce blood lipid levels. The authors studied the impact of black radish juice on mice with a diet designed to cause them to form cholesterol stones (lithogenic diet*).

The lithogenic diet causes significant cholesterol gallstones, increases cholesterol and triglycerides, while decreasing HDL-cholesterol. The diet causes thickening of the wall of the gallbladder and increases the weight of the liver.

A six day course of treatment with black radish juice significantly reduces gallstones, reduces cholesterol and triglyceride levels, while increasing the HDL-cholesterol.

CONCLUSION: Studies of mice on a lithogenic diet show that black radish improves the serum triglycerides and cholesterol, raises HDL-cholesterol, and improves the cholesterol gallstone condition. The study confirms the usefulness of black radish as used in traditional medicine.

NOTE: *Lithogenic diets are special diets given to animals for research purposes to cause them to form gall bladder stones. The purpose is to evaluate the effectiveness of gall stone treatments.

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PMID: 23093836.

Summary #934. nutrientmedicine