Manufacturers of these natural remedies promise that their supplements will regenerate your liver and restore it to its peak function. They also claim their products will give you more energy, strengthen your immune system, help you lose weight, and even improve your mood.

Your liver eventually processes everything you eat. After your stomach and intestines finish digesting food, it travels through your bloodstream to your liver for filtering.

The liver breaks down fat to release energy. It produces a yellow-green substance called bile to help your body break down and absorb fat. This organ is also involved in sugar metabolism.

It pulls glucose from your blood and stores it in the form of glycogen. Anytime your blood sugar level dips, the liver releases glycogen to keep your levels steady. Then your liver either cleans up these substances, or removes them into your urine or stool.

Milk thistle has been used to treat liver disorders for more than 2, years. The active substance in milk thistle is silymarin, which is made up of several natural plant chemicals. Lab studies suggest that silymarin helps regenerate liver tissue, bring down inflammation, and protect liver cells from damage by acting as an antioxidant.

Human studies have been mixed on its benefits, though. One study looked at children who were being treated with chemotherapy for leukemia. After 28 days, kids who received milk thistle supplements had slightly fewer signs of damage to their liver. Many of the studies on silymarin have involved people with cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.

A Cochrane review evaluated 18 milk thistle studies including people with these conditions. Many of the studies included in the review were of poor quality. A analysis of studies found that silymarin slightly reduced certain liver enzymes, markers of liver damage , in people with liver disease. More research is still needed to know how well milk thistle might work.

Milk thistle seems to be safe. Yet, some people have reported GI symptoms or allergic reactions after taking it. Because this supplement can lower blood sugar levels, people with diabetes should check with their doctor before taking it.

Artichoke leaf has antioxidant properties. Studies suggest that it may protect the liver. Research done in animals shows it may help liver cells regenerate. In studies done in and of people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease , artichoke leaf reduced markers of liver damage compared with placebo.

However, the clinical benefits of artichoke leaf supplementation remain to be seen. Though dandelion has been used to treat liver ailments, the evidence of its benefits is scarce.

In addition to milk thistle, artichoke, and dandelion, liver supplements differentiate themselves by adding a blend of other ingredients. This can include things like:. Yet a few lifestyle choices have been shown to improve liver health.

Eating a diet heavy in fried foods, sweets, and fast foods leads to weight gain. Being obese or overweight increases the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

The chemicals in some insecticides, cleaning products, and aerosols can damage your liver as it processes them. If you have to use these products, make sure the room is well-ventilated.

Large quantities of beer, wine, or liquor damages liver cells and can lead to cirrhosis. Drink alcohol in moderation — no more than one to two glasses a day. Every drug you take has to be broken down and removed by your liver.

Chronic use or misuse of drugs like steroids and inhalants can permanently damage this organ. Use of harmful or illicit drugs such as heroin can also damage the liver.

They should be avoided. Using alcohol and certain drugs together can worsen liver damage. Read the instructions carefully before you take any prescription medication. Avoid alcohol if the label says the combination is unsafe.

Liver supplements make a lot of big claims. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Liver cleanses are said to boost your digestive health, but they can actually do more harm than good.

Here's how to get the benefits without the risk…. Milk thistle is an herbal remedy with many potential uses. Here are 7 benefits of milk thistle that are backed by science.

The liver produces and clears cholesterol in the body. Learn how liver damage can affect cholesterol and what treatments you can explore. Liver Awareness Month Feature The best way to fight liver disease is to avoid it, if at all possible.

Maintain a healthy weight. Weight loss can play an important part in helping to reduce liver fat. Eat a balanced diet. Avoid high calorie-meals, saturated fat, refined carbohydrates such as white bread, white rice and regular pasta and sugars.

For a well-adjusted diet, eat fiber , which you can obtain from fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads, rice and cereals. Hydration is essential, so drink a lot of water. Exercise regularly. When you exercise consistently, it helps to burn triglycerides for fuel and can also reduce liver fat.

Avoid toxins. Toxins can injure liver cells. Limit direct contact with toxins from cleaning and aerosol products, insecticides, chemicals, and additives. When you do use aerosols, make sure the room is ventilated, and wear a mask.

Use alcohol responsibly. Alcoholic beverages can create many health problems. They can damage or destroy liver cells and scar your liver.

Talk to your doctor about what amount of alcohol is right for you. You may be advised to drink alcohol only in moderation or to quit completely.

Avoid the use of illicit drugs. In , nearly 24 million Americans aged 12 or older were current illicit drug users, meaning they had used an illicit drug during the month prior to the survey interview. This estimate represents 9.

There is not enough scientific evidence to fully support the use of supplements for treating or preventing liver disease. However, the following lifestyle choices can help keep the liver healthy:. High levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood can create fat deposits around the liver, which may lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD and long-term liver damage.

Healthcare experts define heavy alcohol use as eight or more drinks a week for females and 15 or more drinks a week for males. Consuming four to five drinks in 2 hours or less can lead to steatosis, which is a condition in which fat droplets accumulate inside liver cells.

A person can reverse the effects of steatosis if they stop consuming alcohol. However, continuous binge drinking can lead to chronic steatosis and chronic liver disease. The Dietary Guidelines for American — recommend limiting alcohol consumption to no more than one drink per day for females and no more than two drinks per day from males.

Exposure to environmental toxins, such as cleaning products, pesticides, and tobacco smoke, can damage the liver as it filters these substances from the blood. Chronic use of illicit drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, can lead to liver inflammation and damage.

Prescription and over-the-counter OTC medications can also contribute to drug induced liver injury. According to the FDA , medications that can contribute to liver damage include:.

People should see their doctor if they experience symptoms of liver disease or if they believe they may have had exposure to a hepatitis virus.

Most people remain asymptomatic in the early stages of liver disease. Doctors can detect early signs of liver damage during annual checkups and routine screening appointments. Anyone who has a family history of liver disease or who exhibits one or more risk factors can speak with their doctor about lowering their risk for liver disease.

Current research suggests that milk thistle, zinc, and licorice root extract possess anti-inflammatory properties that may prevent liver damage from infections and exposures to toxins.

However, all these substances also carry health risks. However, doctors and researchers do not recognize liver supplements as effective due to the limited available evidence. Liver cleanses promise to rid the body of toxins and impurities, but are controversial because there is little science to support their use.

Cirrhosis is a liver condition that causes irreversible scarring on the liver. Learn about the causes of cirrhosis, diagnosis, prevention, and how to….

What are micronutrients? Read on to learn more about these essential vitamins and minerals, the role they play in supporting health, as well as….

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Do liver supplements work? Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD — By Jamie Eske on April 23, Efficacy Ingredients Symptoms Maintain a healthy liver Seeing a doctor Summary The liver performs many essential functions, including cleaning the blood, synthesizing proteins, producing hormones, and aiding digestion.

Share on Pinterest There are risks associated with taking liver supplements. Popular ingredients in liver supplements. Signs of liver problems. How to maintain a healthy liver.

When to see a doctor. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.

We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles.

You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Share this article. Latest news Ovarian tissue freezing may help delay, and even prevent menopause. Strain to remove seeds, if you desire. Pour into a Dutch oven, and let simmer until thick, one to two hours.

Rich in antioxidants, beet greens are loaded with potassium. Add beets and beet greens to your fresh vegetable juice recipe; finely chop and add raw to salads; or sauté lightly, like other greens.

Beets also naturally cleanse the gallbladder and improve bile flow. White beans, kidney beans and lima beans are all rich in potassium, protein and fiber. Swap out garbanzo beans for one of these potassium-rich beans in your favorite hummus recipe.

Enjoy it with carrot sticks and celery sticks. In addition to potassium, blackstrap molasses is rich with iron, calcium, manganese and copper. Incorporate blackstrap molasses into your diet by replacing other natural sweeteners with it. You can use it to create barbecue sauces and to top oatmeal or quinoa porridge in the mornings.

Two teaspoons added to coffee intensifies the richness of the coffee, while lowering the acidic taste. And finally, add a banana to your favorite smoothie. Bananas assist in digestion and help release toxins and heavy metals from the body — all of which are essential during a liver cleanse.

Please note: If you have high levels of potassium in your kidneys, foods rich in potassium should be consumed moderately. Coffee enemas help with constipation , reduce fatigue and aid in liver detoxification.

An enema targets the lower portion of your large intestine and can be done at home, unlike colonics, which include the entire bowel and are performed outside the home by a professional.

During the enema, organic coffee is retained in your bowel, allowing the fluid to enter the liver through the intestinal wall. This has a stimulating effect that increases bile flow, helping jump-start both your gallbladder and your liver. This sparks the production of the chemical glutathione, a strong cleansing compound that helps release the buildup of toxins in your system.

Combine two tablespoons of organic ground coffee with three cups of filtered or distilled water in a pot, and bring to a boil. Simmer gently for 15 minutes, and allow to cool. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth, and use in your enema kit. Milk thistle helps eliminate the buildup of heavy metals , prescription medications, environmental pollutants and alcohol in the liver.

In addition, it helps reduce the negative effects on the liver after chemotherapy and radiation. Research indicates that the active ingredient silymarin helps strengthen the cell walls in the liver, while supporting healthy regeneration.

Most homeowners hate the dandelion, as it populates yards every spring, but, this flower and its roots are actually packed with vitamins and minerals. Dandelion root has a natural diuretic effect, allowing your liver to more quickly eliminate toxins. It also helps strengthen the immune system , balance blood sugar levels , relieve heartburn and soothe digestive upset.

Burdock root is another option in the same plant family as dandelions that can help detox your system by cleansing the blood, therefore helping support liver function.

Like milk thistle, both dandelion root and burdock root can be taken in both supplement form or as a detox tea.

Turmeric supports healthy liver tissue and liver metabolism. You can also purchase a liver support supplement that combines many of these key botanicals, such as milk thistle seed, dandelion root, beet root and bupleurum root to help detoxify the liver, assist in healthy liver function and also work as an anti-inflammatory.

Liver from young, healthy, grass-fed cattle or chicken liver is rich with vitamins A and B, folic acid, choline, iron, copper, zinc, chromium, and CoQ Liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods we can eat and unsurprisingly an organ-nourishing food.

Seek a supplement that guarantees no hormones, pesticides or antibiotics are used in the feeding and care of the cattle. In addition to the healthy foods and supplements mentioned above, you can give your liver a boost by starting with a quick, hour liver cleanse.

In the seven days prior to this short cleanse, eat the following liver detox foods:. Avoid any processed foods, and eat free-range organic meats, refined carbohydrates and gluten sparingly.

This preparation will help facilitate the cleanse. During the week you are preparing your body, also try this Secret Detox Drink. It boosts your energy and helps you detox and cleanse the liver.

This recipe calls for apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and water. Then, during the week of your cleanse try this liver detox drink.

This recipe will help support your body while cleansing. You should consume a minimum of 72 ounces of this mixture and 72 ounces of water.

After one day of the cranberry juice blend, reintroduce the foods you ate in preparation for the liver cleanse. You can also try other detox drinks support a liver detox.

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