All You Need To Know About The Types Of Liver Detoxifying Supplements
The liver plays a key role in maintaining overall health. It is involved in many bodily functions such as metabolism, digestion, blood clotting, and immune system regulation. When your body becomes overburdened with toxins (also known as “adverse chemicals”) or pathogens (viruses, bacteria, and fungi), your liver takes on the burden of detoxifying them. As it does so, however, it also has to regenerate cells that have been damaged from constant exposure to these substances.
Your liver has more than one billion cells, which makes it the largest organ in your body. The main function of this organ is to break down nutrients for use by other organs and tissues. If you are healthy, your liver will be able to perform its tasks without any help from you. However, if you already have some kind of illness or disease, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or cancer, then your liver may need extra support. That’s why it’s important to choose the right liver detox supplements for your needs. Your daily decisions and lifestyle practises have a long-term impact on the health of your liver. While these techniques might not be as straightforward as a one-time cleaning, they are more likely to safeguard and maintain the health of your liver. The liver is responsible for many crucial processes, including the production of hormones, the synthesis of proteins, and blood purification. Some producers of liver supplement assert that the liver is detoxified and rejuvenated by their products.
In order to choose the best liver detox supplement, you first have to understand what types there are. There are two primary types of liver detox supplements:
- Natural products
Natural supplements are made from plants or herbs that have been shown to have positive effects on your liver in clinical studies. These include compounds that can protect and strengthen the liver’s natural detoxification ability. They can also decrease inflammation and support proper cell regeneration in the liver.
Although the science behind natural liver detox supplements remains unclear, many people swear they have helped relieve symptoms of various liver conditions. Some common examples of natural liver detox supplements include artichoke leaf extract, milk thistle, dandelion root extract, green tea, and ginger.
One downside to using natural liver detox supplements is that they are not necessarily regulated like pharmaceutical drugs. This means that your doctor can’t prescribe specific dosages and you might risk overdosing on some of these supplements. This is especially true when it comes to high doses. For example, artichoke leaf extract is commonly used at doses higher than 400 milligrams per day.
- Pharmaceutical medications
Pharmaceutical medications are developed by scientists who test them on animals and humans before making them available for sale. In most cases, these substances are intended to treat diseases, but sometimes they can even be used to prevent certain health issues. Many pharmaceutical medications contain active ingredients that can help boost your liver’s natural detoxification ability.
For example, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a widely used pain reliever that contains an ingredient called paracetamol. This active ingredient works by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver called glutathione-S-transferase. Glutathione-S-transferase normally helps clear out harmful substances in the body by combining them with another compound called glutathione.
This process makes it easier for your liver to dispose of those harmful substances. By inhibiting this enzyme, acetaminophen allows the glutathione in your liver to remain intact longer. This prevents the glutathione from breaking down harmful substances and eliminates them instead. Therefore, taking acetaminophen regularly can help prevent damage to the liver caused by toxic substances.
Some popular pharmaceutical medications containing active ingredients that can help improve liver function include silymarin, ursodeoxycholic acid, olsalazine, and bile acids. These substances all work by protecting the liver from stressors that cause it to become overwhelmed and unable to effectively remove harmful substances.
While there is no doubt that pharmaceutical medications can be helpful for treating certain liver conditions, there is also evidence that they can be harmful in some instances. For example, some medications intended to combat Hepatitis C can actually contribute to liver damage. In addition, many patients who take acetaminophen long term develop liver failure over time. This complication occurs more often in older adults and children because their livers are not yet fully developed.
If you are concerned about the potential side effects of pharmaceutical medications, then it may make sense to explore other options. In fact, there are several dietary supplements that don’t contain active ingredients that can be found in medication. These include alpha lipoic acid, grape seed extract, and carnitine. Research suggests that these supplements can reduce oxidative stress in the liver and improve your liver’s ability to eliminate toxins.
In general, the best time to take liver supplements is during times of stress. Your liver is under more strain when you are sick compared to when you are well. Therefore, it benefits you to take supplements at this time.
However, since your liver continues to get healthier throughout your lifetime, it is never too late to start taking liver supplements. You should definitely consider doing so if you suffer from a chronic condition such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or autoimmune disorder. In addition, liver supplements are particularly useful during pregnancy, when you are breastfeeding, and after giving birth. Your baby depends on your liver to produce milk, so your liver is under a lot of pressure for this purpose. Finally, if you have had gallbladder removal surgery, it is wise to take liver supplements at least two weeks after your procedure.
When you begin taking liver supplements, you should always check with your physician. Your physician can help you decide whether you should take liver supplements for a particular condition. He or she will also be able to provide guidance regarding how much of each type of liver supplement you should take.
If you do decide to take supplements, then these guidelines can help ensure that you are taking enough of each substance:
Alpha lipoic acid: 200 milligrams per day
Grape seed extract: 400 milligrams per day
Carnitine: 2 grams per day
Choline bitartrate: 500 mg twice daily
Bifidobacteria: 1 gram three times per day
Omega 3 fatty acids: 500 milligrams per day
Ursodeoxycholic acid: 600 mg three times per day
Vitamin D3: 50,000 IU once per week
Echinacea: 300 mg three times per day