The liver is one of the most important organs in the body, so along with a healthy diet and exercise, you may want to consider adding liver support supplements.
Liver-supporting herbs have been used for centuries by people to ensure healthy liver function and aid in overall health and wellness.
Whether your liver is already in pretty good shape or you have a few health issues, it never hurts to show your liver a little extra love and support.
In this article, I’ll give a quick run-down on a few of the best liver supplements along with tips for achieving and maintaining good liver health.
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Best Liver Support Supplements
There are many dietary supplements out there to help support this vital organ.
The problem is that wading through the enormous number of products and companies can be a daunting task. And you definitely want to make sure that the liver support supplement you choose contains natural ingredients, such as medicinal herbs and plants.
To help you narrow down the list, I have included a few of my favorite natural supplements that may help to improve the overall function of the liver, and even repair liver cells.
As always, this information is not to be considered medical advice so be sure to do your own research and always consult with a health care professional before taking supplements, especially if you have a medical condition.
Alright, let’s get to those liver support supplements!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
Milk Thistle
Milk Thistle contains a flavonoid called silymarin, which is known as a powerful antioxidant that serves the liver and body in several very important ways.
This active ingredient (and milk thistle as a whole) has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, helps to repair liver tissue, and protects liver cells from further damage.
It is often used by those who have alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and sometimes cancer.
Since milk thistle acts as an antioxidant, it can benefit the entire body and not just be used if there are liver problems, which is likely why it’s one of the most popular choices for overall liver health.
You can find a milk thistle supplement in capsules, powders, and even liquid form.
Dandelion
It turns out these weeds can do more than just brighten up your yard.
The health benefits of dandelion are many, and it’s often referred to as the “liver tonic” for a good reason.
Dandelion root makes a great natural liver supplement because of its ability to increase the flow and production of bile.
The liver produces bile to help with detoxification processes and aid in digestion.
This herbal remedy also has antioxidant properties which protect liver cells from damage due to free radicals.
It can also protect the rest of your body from oxidative stress and contains important nutrients that aid in maintaining optimal liver function.
This nutritional supplement can generally be found in capsules, tinctures, and even tea.
It’s also commonly paired with milk thistle and yellow dock root.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a power-house supplement for liver function and overall health.
Because of its ability to reduce inflammation and swelling (thanks to its chemical called curcumin) and its added antioxidant effects, this product could offer protection for your liver from daily toxins and may even help prevent liver disease.
You can reap the benefits of turmeric with supplements in a capsule or powder form and even from the spice itself.
Desiccated Liver
Desiccated liver supplements are made with dried liver extract, and have some impressive liver and overall health benefits.
These supplements are incredibly nutrient-dense and contain significant amounts of amino acids, vitamins, and other essential nutrients that are necessary for proper liver function.
This powerhouse supplement is also known to boost energy levels, improve brain health, increase iron levels, strengthen your immune system, and so much more.
This liver support supplement can typically be found in capsules or powder.
It’s also important to do your due diligence in researching brands of desiccated liver supplements, as you’ll want to make sure you get pure ingredients and they are derived from grass-fed, pasture-raised.
Nettle Infusions
Stinging nettle can assist the body by supplying essential minerals, and help the liver in detoxification, as well as protection from damage caused by toxins and inflammation.
Nettle infusions are highly nutritious as nettle is full of trace minerals and essential vitamins like Vitamin K, and also has antioxidant effects.
Nettle infusions and tonics are an easy way to boost your health and aid in liver detoxification.
You can experience the benefits of this herbal remedy by trying this supplement in capsule form, but in my opinion, the best way is to use simple nettle infusions.
What Does The Liver Actually Do?
We’ve talked a lot about liver support supplements but you may still be wondering what the liver does exactly.
So, I thought it would be a good idea to include a small section of information and quickly explain what the liver actually does. Here goes….
The liver is the body’s largest organ and performs an incredible amount of functions (500 to be exact), all of which are vital to overall health and wellbeing.
Everything that goes into the body gets filtered through the liver.
From medicine, drinks, foods, and toxins, the liver sees it all.
The liver detoxifies the body of impurities, produces and excretes bile, regulates blood sugar and hormones, produces blood for fetuses, and so much more.
Because it does so much for the body, it’s more prone to injury than other organs and therefore is worth keeping in tip-top shape.
Your body simply can’t function without a healthy liver!
Detox or Gentle Cleanse?
Is a liver detox the best thing for good health and wellness?
While some people swear by the benefits of a liver detox, there are many health professionals who don’t recommend them, and for good reason.
It seems that individual results vary widely, and not everyone experiences the positive results commonly touted by die-hard detox enthusiasts or supplement manufacturers.
There are many reasons people experience different results, but if you are dealing with adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, hormone imbalances, or any other health issue, a detox could be much too harsh.
A struggling body is in no shape to deal with strong detoxes.
And, it’s important to make sure that if you do choose to detox, your liver and kidneys are truly up for the job because they work long and hard.
Gentle liver cleanses, on the other hand, are typically very mild and offer support to the body (and liver).
In addition to healthy lifestyle choices, adding a gentle method of liver cleansing and support can be incredibly helpful for the digestive system, hormone balance, acne, relief from fatigue, and more.
If you’re looking for gentle cleanse ideas consider a castor oil pack or a liver-supporting tea!
Tips For Good Liver Health
While liver support supplements are very helpful, they aren’t the only way to achieve good liver health.
Like anything else in the body, there are many important aspects to maintain optimal function and wellbeing.
Here are a few to consider…
Lose and/or maintain your weight
Those who are overweight are more at risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
You can reduce liver fat by losing excess weight and/or maintaining a healthy weight with proper exercise and a well-balanced diet (and don’t forget the importance of a mindfulness practice!)
Since everyone’s bodies and needs are different be sure to consult with your health care provider before starting any weight loss program.
Eat a balanced diet full of real, whole foods
Not only is a balanced diet important for overall health and wellbeing, it simply makes the liver’s job easier.
Try to reduce or eliminate junk foods that just make your liver work harder, such as highly processed foods, refined carbohydrates, too much alcohol, very high-calorie meals, bad fats, and high amounts of sugars.
Opt for meals and snacks that contain healthy fats like fish and avocado, some fruit, and don’t forget a few servings of healthy carbs 🙂
Also, it’s really important to stay properly hydrated!
Avoid toxins
Unfortunately, there are large amounts of toxins in what seems like everything these days, from foods to household cleaning products.
All of these things can cause damage to liver cells, especially if you are in contact with them over a long period.
Avoiding chemicals, additives in foods, aerosol products, and insecticides, where possible, can help keep your liver in much better shape.
Most of these damaging toxins can be avoided by creating a non-toxic home with natural alternatives.
FAQ’s
Have a few liver-related questions? I’ll do my best to answer a few commonly asked ones here 🙂
What are signs that your liver needs help?
Common signs that signal a struggling liver include things like:
- Excessive fatigue
- Unexplained weight gain
- Yellow-coated tongue
- Exceptionally bad breath
- Regular occurring headaches
- Lots of cravings
- Blood sugar
- Hormone imbalances
- Bloating, constipation
- Feeling nauseous after high-fat meals
Can the liver actually repair itself?
Unlike other organs in the body, the liver can regenerate itself and repair damaged cells.
In fact, it’s the only organ that can do so.
This assumes that there is no severe, life-long damage to the liver. Some things can’t be reversed when it comes to the body, and severe liver damage is, unfortunately, one of those things.
For most people, though, healing the liver is possible with intention and time.
What foods or drinks are bad for the liver?
When looking out for your liver, try to reduce or eliminate foods and drinks that can wreak havoc on health such as excessive amounts of alcohol, added sugar (sodas and candy), refined carbohydrates (white bread), highly processed foods, unhealthy fried foods, poor quality processed meats, and vegetable oils.
Is lemon water good for the liver?
Yes, lemon water can be quite helpful for the liver.
It helps to flush the liver and gives it a boost in cleansing the body, thanks to the Vitamin C and antioxidants in lemons, which neutralize toxins in the liver.
Lemon water is especially beneficial when consumed in the morning.
Last Thoughts About Liver Support Supplements
From helping the liver to remove toxins from the body to regulating blood sugar, this important organ is clearly essential to maintaining overall health and wellbeing.
Though the liver is hardworking and does its job remarkably well in most cases, it doesn’t hurt to give it support if you notice common symptoms related to a sluggish liver or if you feel a gentle cleanse is in order.
The tips and suggestions in this post can help you find the best lifestyle changes and supplements so you can give your liver the love and support it needs to help maintain a healthy body.
Start with one supplement or lifestyle change at a time, and be sure to go slowly. Remember, this is about gentle support, not harsh detox.
One step at a time and before you know it, you’ll have a liver that’s in great shape and a healthy body to go with it!
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