The liver is one of the most crucial organs of the human body, alongside organs such as the heart and brain. Our liver is our body’s main filtration system, which means, it specializes in converting toxins into waste products, cleansing our blood, and is also one of the key factors in metabolizing essential vitamins, nutrients, and medicines. Because our liver is one of the most crucial organs we have, it is crucial to keep its health intact, just like how we protect our heart and brain health.
Aside from eating a proper diet and completing a regular exercise or workout routine, one way to keep our liver healthy and intact is by taking liver supplements. But do liver supplements really work, or are they just a fad?
In this article, we will cover the basics of liver supplements. Of course, and perhaps most importantly, we’ll also include our list of the best liver supplements so you can find the one worth adding to your routine. Let’s get started!
What Are Liver Supplements?
Because the liver is one of the most important and crucial organs of our body, it is no surprise that supplement manufacturers create and sell liver supplements that promise enhanced liver health.
Basically, liver supplements are just that, supplements that will promote the health of your liver. Specifically, there are a variety of benefits that liver supplements promise including, but not limited to, the following:
- Detoxify your liver and kidneys
- Protect your liver cells against inflammation
- Optimize your liver’s overall function and system
- Promote and enhance your liver’s overall health
- Support your immune and respiratory systems
- Increase the production of bile
- Enhance your metabolism
- Help you in losing weight
These are just some of the benefits that liver supplements have to offer. But, do they really give you these benefits, or is it all just a fad? It really comes down to the supplement you choose. Some are extremely beneficial, while others aren’t as beneficial as they sound.
So, what supplements should you use? We suggest that the ideal liver supplement contains some of the 11 natural supplements that will be listed below. These supplements are shown to be very helpful to our liver, plus, they can benefit you in ways other than just promoting liver health.
11 Natural Supplements That Will Highly Benefit Your Liver
There are 11 natural supplements that are shown to be very beneficial for the overall health of your liver. For this very reason, as mentioned above, the ideal liver supplement should contain a good amount of these natural supplements within it.
1) NAC
NAC or N-acetylcysteine is shown to heal our liver and can even prevent our liver from getting damaged due to drug use. Also, NAC is even used in emergency rooms when treating acetaminophen overdose. If you like to drink alcohol, NAC can also reverse liver failure due to excessive alcohol intake or because of environmental pollutants.
2) Artichoke Leaf
Artichoke leaf is known for supporting the health of your liver.
It contains cynarin, which makes your body’s detoxification process more efficient. It also contains silymarin – a flavonoid known for protecting our liver. Artichoke leaf is also beneficial for our overall health, not just liver health. For instance, it helps maintain cholesterol levels, which serves us well for our heart health.
3) Beetroot
Beetroot is, in itself, a very powerful and nutritional vegetable. Beetroot is loaded with fiber, manganese, potassium, and folic acid. Beetroot’s high fiber content makes it a wonderful ally to your liver as it aids in the detoxification process.
4) Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is one of the most commonly used herbs when it comes to treating your liver and maintaining its overall health. This is mostly because of the powerful flavonoid which is found on its seeds, silymarin, the one that artichoke leaf also contains.
Silymarin is a powerful antioxidant and works as excellent protection for your liver. It is also great for optimizing your liver’s function and detoxification process. Milk thistle is a wonderful aid for your liver that it is even used in treating liver-related diseases such as liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and viral hepatitis.
5) Ginger
This common food is great for anti-inflammation. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger is very important both for liver and overall health.
The reason behind this is its content – ginger contains gingerol and shogaol, which inhibits chemicals that cause inflammation in our body.
6) Selenium
Selenium is a key mineral that can be found both in the soil and in some foods. Selenium is known to have numerous health benefits.
For the liver, selenium is very important because of its antioxidant properties. Oxidation is one common reason for liver damage, which is why antioxidants like selenium would prove very beneficial for our liver.
Selenium is also great for maintaining tissue elasticity in your liver. This is especially helpful if you have chronic liver disease.
7) Turmeric Root
Turmeric is, in itself, a very powerful inflammatory and antioxidant food. In fact, it is so powerful that turmeric is typically taken as a supplement on its own.
Aside from its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, both of which serve your liver well, turmeric root is also shown to be helpful when it comes to reducing the risk of fatter liver disease, which is usually caused by stress.
8) Dandelion Root
Dandelion root is great in removing toxins from our body as well as beneficial in the production of bile. According to one study on mice made in Korea, dandelion root can help in preventing liver damage caused by toxins such as chemicals and alcohol.
9) Choline
Choline is a compound that makes up the structure of fat in the liver. Choline’s role in our liver is to help transport fat from the liver to key cells in our entire body. This reduces the burden of the liver’s role in processing fat, hence protecting our liver from fat buildup, which can cause liver damage and disease.
10) Yellow Dock Root
Yellow dock root is known to stimulate our lymphatic system, which in turn increases the rate of flushing out toxins and other harmful pollutants. Hence, this makes the yellow dock root a great partner when it comes to detoxifying our bodies.
11) Molybdenum
The significant role of molybdenum for our liver’s health is that it can significantly inhibit the occurrence of pulmonary and liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis is when the liver’s tissue thickens and gets scarred – something that’s very ugly for your liver.
How To Take Liver Supplements
Since liver supplements often come in capsules and pills, you take it exactly how you take your medicine pills and capsules. Of course, keep in mind dosage recommendations when taking liver supplements.
Do Liver Supplements Really Work?
So, here is the big question: do liver supplements really work? As already answered above, yes, liver supplements do work. However, not all liver supplements will work, so don’t just buy any liver supplement that you can see in the market.
As we suggested earlier, it is best if the liver supplement contains some of the natural supplements which we just listed above. These natural supplements are very powerful in keeping your liver healthy and safe, so check out the label and see if it contains some of the natural supplements above. We also say “some” because liver supplements will probably not contain all of them, but a good amount of them would be very beneficial for you.
Also, if you have a trusted friend or anyone you know that uses a liver supplement, asking for his/her recommendation would be helpful for you as well.
Are Liver Supplements Right For You?
Under normal circumstances, liver supplements usually work well for many people. But one thing we must highly note: liver supplements are never a substitute for an actual liver medication if you have any drastic liver problems. If you suspect you have some issues with your liver, go to your doctor or health professional and ask for proper medication.
Best Liver Supplements
1MD LiverMD
1MD is a well-known health and supplement company with highly rated products such as their popular 1MD Complete Probiotics Platinum. So, it’s no surprise that 1MD LiverMD is our top-rated liver supplement. 1MD LiverMD includes the 6 powerful ingredients of EVNolMax, Siliphos Bioavailable Silybin, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Zinco to deliver optimal liver health. This supplement’s benefits include the promotion of complete liver health, supporting healthy liver enzyme function, promoting cognitive focus, and supporting healthy weight. Additionally, 1MD LiverMD was an award finalist for Best Condition-Specific Supplement – can’t argue with that!
GET UP TO 28% OFF 1MD LIVERMDNOW Foods Liver Refresh
The most affordable liver supplement on this list is a great choice from NOW Foods. This supplement combines milk thistle extract with a special herb-enzyme blend that supports healthy liver function.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON NOW FOODS LIVER REFRESHHum Wing Man
Sitting in the middle of the pricing spectrum for liver supplements, Wing Man from Hum is a great choice. Made with Silymarin (Milk Thistle), Dandelion Root, and Artichoke Leaf, the supplement promises to help flush out any excess toxins from the liver. Hum also makes a variety of other health products, including Hum Air Patrol, Hum Skinny Bird, Hum Flatter Me, and Hum Hair Sweet Hair.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON HUM WING MANDesiccated Liver by Solgar
This product sits right in the middle of the pricing spectrum for liver supplements. This formula by Solgar combines desiccated and defatted beef liver and B-12 to create a liver support supplement great for any consumer.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON DESICCATED LIVER BY SOLGARPure Encapsulations – Liver-G.I. Detox
While this supplement is on the pricier side of things, it has incredible reviews by both doctors and consumers. This supplement combines a variety of ingredients to produce one of the best liver detox supplements on the market.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON PURE ENCAPSULATIONS LIVER-G.I. DETOXGaia Herbs Liver Health Cleanse Support
Made with milk thistle, turmeric, Schisandra, Licorice root, and Chinese Skullcap, this supplement from Gaia Herbs promises to help remove waste products in your liver, processes nutrients, and aids in maximum absorption of vitamins.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON GAIA HERBS LIVER HEALTH CLEANSE SUPPORTLiver Supplement Alternatives
As we mentioned above, the best liver supplements include a variety of the 11 herbs we detailed. If you do not want to take a liver supplement, then try taking the different herbs separately. The most beneficial herb for your liver to take by itself is the milk thistle. Numerous research studies have detailed milk thistle as one of the top herbs to help naturally detox your liver, along with your digestive tract.
If you are thinking about adding a liver supplement into your diet, now is a great time to try it out. Liver supplements are easy and safe supplements to test. Plus, they carry a variety of benefits. If you start taking a liver supplement and experience any negative symptoms, contact a medical professional for help.
