Liver is one of the most hard working organs in our body. Experts believe it is involved in more than 500 important bodily functions and holds almost 13% of the body’s blood at any given time. Liver supplements made of many exotic herbal and chemical ingredients claim to keep this vital organ in shape by detoxifying and cleansing it. 

Our liver purifies our blood and produces bile responsible for carrying the toxic waste out of our body. It also stores energy-producing glycogen that can be used as reserves. It regulates the production of amino acids that are building blocks for synthesising protein. It extracts iron from haemoglobin, converts poisonous ammonia into urea, and performs many such crucial functions for bodies to stay healthy.

Key Functions of Liver Supplements

Liver supplements available in the market in various formulations claim to benefit our overall health and liver in a multi-faceted way. Little evidence is found to prove their efficacy, but they are quite popular among urban populations. Some of the claimed benefits are:

1. Promote bile production
2. Detoxifying the liver and body
3. Optimise metabolism and help in weight loss
4. Ease oxidative stress and protect liver cells from inflammation
5. Improve energy levels
6. Improve immunity
7. And even repair liver damage

Key Ingredients in Liver Supplements

There are various compositions of liver supplements available for your consumption. These ingredients can be broadly divided into herbal and chemical ingredients. Some of these supplements are made of completely herbal ingredients, others are purely chemical, and a few are a combination of both types of components.

Key Herbal Ingredients Found in Liver Supplements

1. Jujube: Also known as red dates or Chinese dates, Jujube is a sweet fruit that can be dried or eaten raw. Some researches show that jujube syrup worked positively on individuals with damaged livers caused by tuberculosis medication.
2. Milk Thistle: Silymarin, which is extracted from the herb Milk Thistle, finds itself in most of the liver supplements available in the market. It has properties known to work on fibrosis and relieve oxidative stress by neutralising free radicals that damage our liver cells. It is an antioxidant that is also known to marginally work on liver cirrhosis. 
3. Licorice Root Extracts: Amongst other medicinal properties, licorice root extracts contain a compound called glycyrrhizic acid, which has shown positive results on liver health. According to two studies, glycyrrhizic acid reduces inflammation and helps repair liver cells.
4. Beetroot Extracts: Containing bioactive compounds like betaine and other antioxidants, beetroot extract purportedly seems to prevent fat accumulation in the liver. As per a study conducted over a 12-week period, people who drank beetroot juice showed higher levels of HDL and reduced triglycerides, liver enzymes, and LDL.

Some other herbal ingredients that are not that common are:

• Wild Tam Mexican Root
• Yellow Dock Root Extract
• Hawthorn Berry
• Chanca Piedra
• Dandelion Root Extract
• Turmeric Root Extract

Key Chemical Ingredients in Liver Supplements

1. Zinc: Zinc is a mineral that is already present in our body; however, zinc deficiency and liver damage are connected to each other. Some studies show that taking zinc in a supplement form can help improve liver health and the immune system.

Some other vitamins and minerals that are known to find their place in various supplements and are vital for good liver functioning include:

• Choline
• Vitamin C
• Selenium
• Vitamine E

Possible Side-Effects of Liver Supplements

Digestive Issues 

It may cause nausea, diarrhoea, or upset stomach.

Allergic Reactions 

Risk of rash, itching, or swelling, particularly in those with sensitivities.

Liver Strain 

Excessive use can potentially overload the liver, counteracting the intended benefits.

Drug Interactions 

Can interact with medications, altering their effectiveness or causing adverse reactions.

Vitamin Toxicity 

Overuse may lead to excessive intake of certain vitamins, causing toxicity.

Kidney Stress 

High doses may stress the kidneys, particularly in individuals with preexisting conditions.

Headaches 

Some users report headaches as a side effect.

Fatigue

It may cause tiredness or fatigue in some individuals.

Mood Changes 

Potential for mood swings or irritability with certain formulations.

Ways to a Healthy Liver Other Than Liver Supplements

Prevention is definitely better than cure. There are natural ways of keeping your liver healthy. Liver supplements can help you during periods of need; however, there are more natural remedies that you can incorporate into your lifestyle that can keep your liver in a better state.

Keeping a balanced diet

Most of our body reacts to what we eat and when we eat it. A balanced diet and timely schedule can remedy a lot of organ-level minor damages that affect our health. To improve your liver health, you can cut down on fat intake. This will prevent any excess fat accumulation and balance out the good and bad fat in your body.

Be Cautious About Alcohol Intake

Excess or chronic alcoholism is a well-known cause of many ailments, including liver damage. Liver cirrhosis is one of the severe diseases caused by alcoholism. 

Avoid Unnecessary Medication

Every pill you pop breaks down in your stomach and large intestine before passing through the liver. The liver extracts the components the body needs while disposing of the unwanted. Misusing prescription drugs puts your liver through an overdrive to perform and keep your body toxin-free. 

Be Cautious of Toxins

Our households are full of cleaning chemicals and pesticides. Excessive use of disinfectants in our clothes and aerosols can damage your liver because all these toxins go through the liver to get filtered out of your system.

Conclusion

The liver is like a processing unit in our body. Every ingredient our blood has goes through to either rectify or improve it to work effectively. After analysing their need and usefulness, it adds and subtracts elements from the body. It is, of course, important to keep such an important part of your body in pristine condition. Liver supplements claim to aid in detoxification, repair liver damage, release oxidative stress, and many more such positive effects on your liver. It is, however, better not to engage in exploitative behaviour and only use them for limited periods.

For all your protein and supplement needs, visit Genetic Nutrition!

• Share on:
WhatsApp Deel Tweet Pin it Messenger Email