One of the most vital organs in the body is the liver. It performs a variety of tasks, including bile synthesis and excretion, enzyme activation, and lipid, protein, and carbohydrate metabolism. The liver is also in charge of vitamin, mineral, and glycogen storage, as well as plasma protein production. In basic terms, the liver is essential for good health. Without a properly functioning liver, humans would perish. Cirrhosis, cancer, and Hepatitis B and C are among ailments that the organ is prone to, according to research. The good news is that there are a variety of liver supplements available to help preserve and enhance your liver’s health.

Is It Necessary to Take a Liver Supplement?

If you’re worried about your liver’s health, you may be thinking if taking a liver supplement is a wise idea. These products may include a broad variety of herbal components that are touted as being supportive of liver health, but it’s unclear if they function.

Liver vitamins seem to aid the liver by purifying it, repairing cell damage, and improving blood flow to the liver. In contrast to this, the liver is one of our body’s most important organs since it metabolizes sugar, fat, alcohol, and medications. It detoxifies naturally by filtering dietary waste from the body via urine and feces. In a healthy person, no supplements are required to help this process.

Supplements for the Liver:

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle, also known as Silybum marianum, is a prickly flowering plant used in herbal medicines. This “antioxidant and anti-inflammatory property” is what makes it so popular in liver supplement products. “As an antioxidant, milk thistle is regarded to protect liver cells from free radicals, which are produced when toxins are metabolized in the liver and may damage the brain.” When used in normal dosages, milk thistle is usually regarded safe, although it may sometimes induce allergic reactions, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rash, or headaches. “It’s vital to discuss the usage of this drug with your physician, since it may interfere with certain prescriptions.

Dandelion

Dandelions are more than just a garden weed, with their cheery yellow blossoms and distinctive sawtooth leaves. Long used as a food source and in homeopathic medicines, it seems that there may be something beneficial about this ubiquitous plant. The whole dandelion plant is edible, and when eaten, it may supply a variety of vitamins such as A, C, and K. Dandelions are also rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that gives carrots their orange colour and is converted to vitamin A by the liver.

Turmeric or Curcumin

The active ingredient of turmeric, a vivid orange spice used in Indian and South Asian cuisines, is the molecule curcumin. Turmeric, like dandelion, contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities that are thought to protect the liver. “Two randomized placebo-controlled studies from 2016 and 2017 that looked at the use of turmeric (curcumin) in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease showed some benefit with reduced liver fat and improved liver tests.”

Artichoke Leaf

Artichokes are abundant in fiber, vitamin C, and other antioxidants when consumed as a meal. Artichokes are really a variety of thistle that is often served as a vegetable. Supplements containing an extract from the plant have been “proven to have antioxidant benefits and is utilized to enhance liver function,”. Artichoke leaf extract has been shown in several trials to maintain healthy blood pressure and reduce levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol.

In individuals with one kind of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, “a randomized double-blind research published in 2016 demonstrated improvement in liver enzymes,”. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, also known as metabolic dysfunction-related fatty liver disease, occurs when the liver accumulates too much fat, impairing its function. NAFLD is linked to obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

Zinc

When it comes to the cellular formation, zinc plays a crucial role. However, “many people with the liver illness have inadequate amounts of this important mineral.” As a result, zinc supplementation may be beneficial in preserving liver function. Zinc supplementation is sometimes used as part of the treatment protocol for patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis, and according to a 2018 review of studies, patients who received a combination of zinc supplementation and medication over three to six months had better outcomes than those who only received medication.

Symptoms of a liver disease

The liver is a multifaceted organ that serves a variety of tasks. The liver is responsible for removing waste from the circulation, metabolizing fat, and synthesizing hormones. A liver that is damaged, diseased, or dysfunctional may have serious, even life-threatening implications.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that may be self-limiting or persistent. A viral infection is the most prevalent cause of hepatitis. Hepatitis may also be caused by consuming alcohol, being exposed to pollutants, using certain drugs, and having fat deposits in the liver.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, some patients may acquire hepatitis C symptoms in 1–3 months and hepatitis B symptoms in 2–5 months. Chronic hepatitis patients may go years without showing any signs or symptoms.

How can you keep your liver in good shape?

• Limit your consumption of saturated fats.
• Consume alcohol in moderation.
• Toxic exposure should be kept to a minimum.
• Avoid using drugs on a regular basis.

According to a recent study, milk thistle, zinc, and licorice root extract have anti-inflammatory characteristics that may help reduce liver damage caused by infections and toxins. However, some of these drugs do have some adverse effects and need to be taken in moderation.