The liver is one of the largest and most important organs in your body.
It’s responsible for filtering the blood, breaking down nutrients from your food, and removing waste products and harmful chemicals from your body.
Liver detox supplements are touted for their benefits in helping clean and repair your liver tissue, but do they work? Can liver detox supplements actually benefit your liver health and if so, what should you look for in your supplements?
Keep reading to find out.
Your liver is a large, reddish-brown organ located in your abdomen, just under your ribcage on the right side.
The liver has many important jobs, but its main role is to filter your blood. It cleans out the bad stuff, like toxins and waste products, so they don't harm your body.
Imagine your liver as a giant cleaning crew. It processes the food you eat, breaking down nutrients and sending them where they're needed.
It also stores energy for later when you need it. Plus, it helps make proteins that your body needs for blood clotting and other important functions.
But that's not all. Your liver even helps with digestion by producing bile, a greenish fluid that helps break down fats in your stomach.
While your liver is designed to filter out the bad stuff you put in your body, it’s not invincible. Overloading your liver with too much bad stuff (e.g. alcohol, sugar, medications) can lead to liver damage.
Liver detox supplements are promoted for their benefits in repairing and promoting liver health. They come in different forms such as capsules, tablets, tinctures, and powders, and they contain a variety of ingredients that supposedly support liver health.
But with so many liver detox supplements on the market, how do you know which ones are effective? What should you look for in a liver detox supplement?
Milk thistle is a well-known herb that’s been used for centuries as a liver health remedy. It contains silymarin, a compound that helps protect the liver cells from damage caused by toxins and free radicals.
Studies have shown that milk thistle can also help with liver regeneration and support liver health in those with liver diseases.
When choosing your liver detox supplements, look for one that contains milk thistle extract with at least 80% silymarin. Dosage recommendations vary, but a daily dose of 140 mg to 500 mg of silymarin is typically used in clinical studies.
In addition to milk thistle, other ingredients may also support liver health and detoxification. These include dandelion root, artichoke leaf, turmeric, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA).
Dandelion root is a natural diuretic that helps flush out toxins from the liver and kidneys. Artichoke leaf extract helps stimulate the production of bile, which is necessary for excreting toxins from the body.
Turmeric contains curcumin, a potent antioxidant that supports liver function and immune health. NAC and ALA are antioxidants that also support liver health and detoxification.
When choosing a liver detox supplement, look for one that contains a combination of these ingredients.
Some liver detox supplements contain harsh ingredients that can do more harm than good. For example, some contain high levels of vitamin A, which can be toxic to the liver in large doses.
Others contain laxatives, such as cascara sagrada or senna, which can cause diarrhea and dehydration.
When choosing a liver detox supplement, avoid those that contain harsh ingredients or those that have not been evaluated for safety and efficacy.
To be sure you’re getting what you pay for, look for liver detox supplements that have been third-party tested.
This means that an independent laboratory has analyzed the product to confirm its purity, potency, and safety.
Look for products that follow Good Manufacturing Processes (GMP) and are formulated in FDA-registered labs.
Liver detox supplements come in different forms, such as capsules, tablets, tinctures, and powders. Each form has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the one that’s most convenient for you and that you’re most likely to take consistently.
The Everyday Liver Vitamin is a daily capsule liver detox supplement backed by scientific research.* It’s packed full of powerful natural ingredients clinically studied for their effectiveness in promoting and repairing liver health.*
The Everyday Liver Vitamin can make supporting your liver health easy and natural.*
Your liver works hard but even the toughest organs need a break. Liver detox supplements may help support your liver health, ensuring better liver function and longevity.*
However, not all liver detox supplements are equal. Be sure to follow the above guidelines for what to look for in your liver detox supplements for the best results.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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