{"id":89920,"date":"2019-12-12T18:19:47","date_gmt":"2019-12-13T02:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/?p=89920"},"modified":"2021-09-20T09:21:20","modified_gmt":"2021-09-20T16:21:20","slug":"liver-supplements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/blog\/liver-supplements\/","title":{"rendered":"26 Supplements that May Support Liver Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your liver is vital to your health. When working well, the liver efficiently detoxifies chemicals and built-up metabolic waste. It also stores sugar as glycogen, breaks down old red blood cells<\/a>, and produces hormones and proteins. Natural medicine can go a long way in improving liver health. Read on for a full breakdown of the best liver-protective foods and supplements.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/a>Supplements that May be Good for the Liver<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

<\/a>Overview<\/span><\/h3>\n

People who have liver problems are often told to closely examine their supplements cabinet and discuss all the complementary approaches they are using with their healthcare provider. The same goes for anyone who wants to support their liver health.<\/p>\n

Some herbs and dietary supplements are thought to be good for the liver. Limited research suggests that certain active compounds may enhance the liver\u2019s detox power and contribute to your overall wellness. The clinical data are still weak and inconclusive.<\/p>\n

However, supplements need to be used cautiously in people with liver disease.<\/p>\n

Doctors know which supplements liver disease patients should avoid (as there are many supplements and foods that are bad for the liver too<\/a>). When used right, herbs and supplements may be a safe complementary approach to improving liver health [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, dietary supplements have not been approved by the FDA for medical use. Supplements generally lack solid clinical research. Regulations set manufacturing standards for them but don’t guarantee that they’re safe or effective.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Research Limitations<\/span><\/h3>\n

The following natural substances have shown promise for supporting liver health in limited, low-quality clinical trials or animal studies. Additionally, some human studies look only for associations, which means that a cause-and-effect relationship can\u2019t be established.<\/p>\n

Therefore, there is currently insufficient evidence to support the use of the supplements listed below in the context of liver disease, and they should never replace what your doctor prescribes.<\/p>\n

Remember to talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement or making significant changes to your diet.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/a>1) Licorice<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Licorice has been traditionally used as food and herbal remedy<\/a>. The root is thought to be liver-protective and has been tested in small clinical trials of viral hepatitis (R<\/a>, R<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The NCCIH states that: \u201cA number of studies of licorice root in people have been published, but not enough to support the use for any specific health condition\u201d [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

There\u2019s not enough evidence to determine whether licorice or its compounds are helpful for people with chronic hepatitis C.<\/p>\n

In a small randomized controlled trial in patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver disease (NAFLD), a water extract of licorice root decreased elevated enzyme levels of alanine aminotransferase<\/a> (ALT<\/a>) and aspartate aminotransferase<\/a> (AST<\/a>) (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Water extract of licorice showed protective effects against CCl4-induced acute liver toxicity in rats. There was a dose-dependent increase in the enzyme levels as well as an increase in the total protein and albumin<\/a> levels (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Licorice can reduce potassium levels. The NCCIH warns against using it in people with heart problems who are taking diuretics [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

<\/a>2) Fish oil<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

In one study in children with NAFLD (pediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), DHA<\/a> seemed to modulate liver progenitor cell activation and liver cell survival (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Another study suggests that fish oil, when given either parenterally (through an IV) or orally (by mouth), may be potentially helpful in patients with PNALD (Parenteral Nutrition Associated Liver Disease) (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n

DHA reduced liver injury induced by Valproic Acid<\/a> in animals. The authors hypothesized it curbed liver oxidative stress and inflammation (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Dietary DHA also had a protective effect in necroinflammatory liver injury in animals. Human data are needed (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n

<\/a>3) Milk Thistle<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum<\/em>)<\/a> is a medicinal plant that belongs to a large family of flowering plants (Asteraceae). It has been used traditionally for thousands of years as a \u201cliver elixir\u201d for a variety of diseases to do with liver dysfunction or gallbladder problems. Despite its long-standing use, clinical evidence about its effectiveness for these uses is lacking [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

In the US, milk thistle is among the most popular herbal supplements. It\u2019s also commonly used in other parts of the world, especially in Germany – the largest producer of milk thistle (Madaus).<\/p>\n

The German Scientific Board recommends its use for indigestion, toxin-induced liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver inflammation [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Milk thistle is a good example of traditional plant uses being put to scientific scrutiny. Although over 70 low-quality human studies in total have been published, few high-quality clinical trials have investigated the health benefits of milk thistle.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite insufficient evidence from clinical trials, milk thistle extracts and its main active component (silybin) have been regarded as remedies for liver diseases in Europe solely based on their history of traditional use [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

The European Medicines Agency stated that although clinical evidence is weak, the effectiveness of milk thistle is “plausible” and there is evidence that this herb has been used safely in for at least 30 years [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

However, the NCCIH points out that the results from clinical trials of milk thistle for liver diseases have been mixed, and two rigorously-designed studies found no benefit <\/strong>[R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

<\/a>4) Quercetin<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The antioxidant quercetin<\/a> is sometimes called the \u201cmaster flavonoid.\u201d Its effects on liver health in humans are unknown, as most of the available evidence comes from animal experiments.<\/p>\n

Quercetin given before toxic amounts of alcohol protected the liver of rats against oxidative stress<\/a>. It neutralized harmful products of fat breakdown and increased the production of the master antioxidant Glutathione<\/a> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n

Quercetin protected the liver and appeared to limit damage and oxidative stress in rats exposed to toxins (aflatoxin). It also reduced liver damage from acetaminophen by neutralizing free radicals. Scientists hypothesize that it might protect both the kidneys and liver in rats by improving mitochondria<\/a> health [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n