It’s an interesting fact that the liver is responsible for over 500 different functions, and it processes toxins, drugs, alcohol, medications, and more. The liver also handles blood sugar regulation, fat metabolism, cholesterol synthesis, and the production of bile salts.

If you are taking any prescription or OTC medication, your liver will be working overtime to process these compounds as they come in through your gastrointestinal system. If this is a chronic thing, then it may not be a good idea to just go out there and take some supplements because the liver has no problem handling what comes its way on a daily basis.

On top of that, if the liver is having trouble processing all those toxins, it can start to become inflamed and leak bile into the bloodstream. This can cause problems such as jaundice and fatigue, which can both make you feel worse than you already do.

The bottom line here is that the liver works hard every day, and when it gets overloaded with toxins, you don’t want to add on to that workload by supplementing your diet with additional compounds. It can actually put more stress on the liver and lead to further damage down the road.

That being said, there are certain supplements that have been shown to help support the liver and other organs in your body, and we wanted to share them with you so that you could know what to look for before you even consider purchasing one.

Reason of taking supplements 

You might wonder if it’s a good idea to take liver supplements if you have liver health concerns. These products might contain a variety of herbs marketed to support liver health, according to Emily Rice, a staff dietitian at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, but it’s not clear if they actually do anything.

Herbal remedies

There are a few herbal products out there that focus primarily on supporting the liver and helping to relieve symptoms of inflammation and toxicity. Some examples include dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale) and milk thistle seed (Silybum marianum). These herbal remedies contain compounds called silymarins, which have shown to be very effective at protecting the liver from various types of stressors.

These herbs are often recommended to people who are dealing with heavy metal toxicity, but they can also be used to support the health of the liver in general. Dandelion root is known to cleanse the liver and aid in toxin elimination. Milk thistle seed is well-known for its ability to protect the liver against oxidative stress, and it also helps to improve liver function.

Dandelion root is available in capsule form, and you would typically start off with a dose of 100 mg per serving twice daily. Milk thistle seed is available in capsule form and usually takes 1,500 mg per serving two times per day. Both of these types of supplements are considered safe under normal circumstances, but please consult with your doctor before using these products if you live in a country where they are not approved for use.

The next type of supplement you should consider is green tea extract. Green tea contains catechins, which are antioxidants and are believed to help reduce the buildup of fatty deposits inside the cells of the liver. You can find green tea extract in capsule form and usually take 200–400 mg per serving once or twice per day.

Probiotics

If you suffer from frequent bouts of diarrhea, you may be suffering from gut dysbiosis, or “bad bacteria.” Probiotics can help restore balance and rebalance your microbiome, and they have been shown to help support the immune system and fight off pathogens.

You can purchase probiotic supplements either in powder form or in capsules. Many companies will combine multiple strains together in a single capsule to ensure that you get the most benefit possible from their product. There are many different species of beneficial bacteria that can be found in probiotics, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, and Enterococcus faecalis. You should always talk to your doctor before adding anything new to your diet, especially if you are taking prescription medication, have allergies, or are pregnant.

Fatty acids

When a person eats too much processed food or unhealthy fats, the liver has to work extra hard just to process all the excess junk from the digestive tract. That is why it is important to keep your diets as balanced as possible, focusing on whole foods like fruit, vegetables, nuts, beans, seeds, fish, poultry, and lean meats.

One type of supplement that is particularly helpful for maintaining healthy levels of omega 3 fatty acids in the body is krill oil. Krill oil is made up of a number of different omega 3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA. When you consume krill oil regularly, it helps to increase your intake of EPA and DHA while reducing your intake of saturated fats, which can cause heart disease.

You can buy krill oil in liquid form and take 2–4 grams per day. One bottle of krill oil normally contains between 400–800 milligrams of EPA and DHA, so you will need to divide that amount into smaller doses throughout the day to achieve your desired dosage. If you are looking for something more convenient, you can find krill oil in pill form, as well as granules. Just remember to follow the instructions that accompany the product to determine how much to take each day; it is best to stick with the suggested dosages.

Vitamin C

This vitamin is essential for keeping your immune system strong and for fighting infection. However, vitamin C can also promote collagen formation in the body. Collagen is a protein fiber that makes up connective tissue. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, leading to wrinkles, thinning of skin, and loss of elasticity.

A deficiency in vitamin C can slow down the healing process after injury, and it can affect the function of certain organs in the body, including the liver. On top of that, vitamin C has been shown to help prevent scarring and support wound repair.

Vitamin C is best taken orally in tablet or capsule form, and you should aim for 200–300 mg per day. If you are on a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet, you will have to take higher amounts, up to 2,000 mg per day. If you are experiencing severe side effects from vitamin C supplementation, then you should seek medical attention.

Acetyl-l carnitine

As we mentioned earlier, acetyl-l carnitine is a compound that is made up of amino acids. This supplement can be taken orally and is sometimes referred to as “vitamin B5.” It is a popular antioxidant that can help fight free radicals, which are molecules that cause cellular damage. Free radicals are created during the course of normal metabolic activity, but they can also be produced when the body is exposed to environmental stressors, pollution, radiation, and cigarette smoke.

Bilberry extract

Bilberries are small fruits that grow on the shrubs of northern Europe. They contain high concentrations of anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. Anthocyanins are thought to provide protection against cancer and stroke and help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

You can find bilberry extracts in tablets and pills that are designed specifically to target your liver. You can also find them in liquid form that you can swallow directly. Bilberry extracts are commonly marketed as dietary supplements, but they aren’t regulated by the FDA, so you need to exercise caution when buying them online or from third parties. Be sure to read labels carefully and only purchase supplements that are specifically intended for liver health.

In addition to bilberries, you can also look for other natural solutions that can help support the functioning of your liver. For instance, you can try turmeric or ginger root to combat inflammation and to support overall immunity. Other ingredients to look for include artichoke leaf extract, aloe vera leaf juice, and marshmallow root.