Your second-largest organ, the liver is responsible for metabolizing health-promoting nutrients while removing toxins, waste and other harmful substances from the body. Liver health supplements:
- Support liver cell regeneration.**
- Rejuvenate liver performance.**
- Optimize overall liver wellness.**
What is Liver Health?
A football-sized organ that sits below the ribcage, the liver performs over 500 vital functions that contribute to overall health, including: Production of bile, which is needed for healthy digestion; conversion of excess blood glucose into glycogen for storage; regulation of blood levels of health-promoting amino acids; and production of High Density Lipoproteins, HDL “good” cholesterol. It also helps to break down and metabolize nutrients from the foods we eat into usable health-promoting forms for the rest of the body.
The liver may be most widely known, however, for “filtering” blood that passes through it. This blood-cleansing biological activity is integral to the body’s detoxification process, enabling the disposal of potentially harmful waste products, synthetic chemicals and other toxins.
Liver wellness is a common concern given our modern world’s chemical emphasis. It has been estimated in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that over 84,000 synthetic chemicals are regularly used in commercial applications. These applications may include pesticides, herbicides, household cleaners, cosmetics, tobacco products and more. Residues from exposure to these chemicals may build up in the body, creating what is known as the “chemical body burden” or “toxic load.” Some experts have suggested that even minimal exposure to certain toxins may be linked with human health risks.
With ongoing exposure to chemical toxins, the liver may become stressed with the burden of processing waste and cleansing the blood, which may lead to liver concerns. Excessive alcohol use, overweight and obesity have also been linked to liver concerns.
The liver is a resilient organ, however; it is the only organ in the human body that is capable of regenerating itself. This regeneration is possible even if the liver has lost up to 75% of its healthy cells. Nutritional supplements for the liver may help to support its regenerative properties and other functions that promote overall well-being.** Some of the most popular liver health supplements and supportive natural compounds include:**
- Milk thistle: A traditional wellness herb in use for thousands of years, milk thistle is one of today’s most popular botanicals for supporting liver wellness.** The herb supplies a group of active antioxidants that are collectively known as silymarin.**
- NAC: NAcetyl Cysteine (NAC) is an amino acid compound that plays a role in the body’s natural production of the antioxidant glutathione. NAC has been suggested to help protect the liver against damage from environmental assaults and toxins.**
- Dandelion: A popular botanical in centuriesold folk herbalism practices, dandelion is considered a “tonic” that supports general wellbeing.** Dandelion is believed to help maintain the liver’s metabolic activity, and is sometimes included in supplements designed to cleanse the blood of waste materials.** Dandelion’s association with liver health spans Traditional Chinese, Ayurvedic and Native American folk wellness practices.
- Tumeric: This bright yellow root popularly used to add color and flavor to Indian cuisine supplies an antioxidant called curcumin that has been tied to health-supportive biological activities across many body systems.** In folk Ayurvedic health traditions, turmeric was used to support liver wellness and function; this ancient use has been supported by some modern animal research.**
- Yellow Dock: The roots of this traditional wellness herb have been suggested in folk health practices for helping to protect the liver, supporting the blood and promoting the gallbladder’s production of bile.** Yellow dock’s active compounds include anthraquinone glycosides.
- TMG: Trimethylglycine (TMG) is a natural compound found abundantly in animals and plants, including beets and broccoli. TMG is believed to influence a process called methylation that is believed to assist with the body’s natural detoxification mechanisms.** For this role, TMG is sometimes associated with liver support.**
- Blessed Thistle: Known as a “bitter” wellness herb, blessed thistle’s leaves and flowers have been used for centuries in folk health applications to support digestive wellness, optimize bile production and help maintain healthy liver function.**
Liver Health Products
Liver health supplements may be presented as standalone compounds or “liver cleanse” complexes that blend several different botanicals and other natural compounds. These products are often sourced from traditional wellness herbs and may be available in diverse forms, including capsules, softgels, tablets and herbal teas.
Liver Health Products Directions for Use
Always confer with your doctor before taking any supplements. Refer to manufacturer’s product labels for suggested usage, which may differ from product to product. Capsules may range from 250 mg to 1,500 mg, depending on each product’s unique active ingredients.
