Let’s face it; the liver is the primary organ in the body that often gets overlooked when it comes to health. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Liver is the organ responsible for the smooth flow of emotions as well as Qi and blood. It is the organ that is most affected by excess stress or emotions.[i] The liver is responsible for numerous functions in the body. Its primary functions are to filter the blood of toxins and neutralize toxins. Additionally, the liver provides these functions:
- Production of bile, which helps carry away waste and break down fats in the small intestine during digestion
- Production of specific proteins for blood plasma
- Production of cholesterol and special proteins to help carry fats through the body
- Store and release glucose as needed
- Processing of hemoglobin for the use of its iron content (the liver stores iron)
- Clearing the blood of drugs and other harmful substances
- Regulate blood clotting
- Resisting infections by producing immune factors and removing bacteria from the bloodstream
- Clearance of bilirubin (if there is a buildup of bilirubin, the skin and eyes turn yellow)
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=anatomy-and-function-of-the-liver-90-P03069
Considering the many functions of the liver, maintaining a healthy liver will have a significant impact on your overall health and well-being. Here are some of the areas in which studies indicated having a healthy liver may be beneficial [ii]:
- Improved overall health
- weight loss
- slowed aging
- increased energy
- potentially fewer aches and pains
- healthier skin and hair
- Hormonal balancing
- Decreased sinus and allergy issues
- Stronger immune system
- Less digestive complaints, i.e., gas, bloating, and more regularity
- Fresher breathe and oral health
- A positive mood and sharper mind
With the increase in unhealthy lifestyle choices, there is an increase in the need to incorporate supplements into the daily routine. The rise in people being overweight/obese, diets high in refined/processed foods, decreased activity levels, medication use, alcohol consumption, consuming non-organic foods/beverages, exposure to environmental toxins, and high-stress lives all contribute to the potential for an unhealthy liver.
Something Not so New: Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver (NAFL)
Beyond supporting the liver and its ability to detoxify the body, there are other areas of liver health we need to focus on as well. The most significant area of focus concerning liver health is the unwanted buildup of fat deposits in the liver. This condition is known as nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and is common in people who have certain conditions, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Researchers have found NAFL in 40 to 80 percent of people who have type 2 diabetes and in 30 to 90 percent of people who are obese.[iii]Additionally, it is estimated that 1 in 4 people around the world have some sort of NAFL, while in the U.S., up to 100 million people may have fatty livers.[iv] Even though the above metabolic conditions contribute to having a fatty liver, they are not limited to people with these challenges. Certain medications, high blood fats, certain types of infections, and even pregnancy can be an underlying cause of fatty deposits forming in the liver.[v]
Luckily studies that were conducted on several supplements have shown positive results and might be beneficial for general liver health:
4’LiverTM
4’LiverTM is something new to the natural health market. It is a potent herbal extract traditionally used in Ayurvedic formulas. It combines two herbs (Terminalia chebula and Sphaeranthus indicus). A recent study showed that 4’LiverTM helped reduce fatty liver index, impacts the progression of fatty liver, supports liver biomarkers, supports healthy blood fat levels (LDL, HDL, etc.), supports overall liver function, and acts as a potent antioxidant protecting the liver. The study also showed that this potent liver health combination outperformed silymarin by the end of the study.
AltilixTM
Altilix is a unique artichoke extract because it originates from a specific cultivar and has high concentrations of biphenols. One study showed that AltilixTM improves NAFL and liver enzymes and impacts blood fats (triglycerides and LDL) and glucose metabolism.[vi] AltilixTM has also been outperformed silymarin (milk thistle).
Dandelion
Dandelion has been tested against various drugs and chemical-induced chronic liver diseases in experimental animals and has come out with promising results. In vitro studies also show liver-protective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties[vii].
Milk Thistle
The active substance in milk thistle is silymarin, which comprises several natural plant molecules. Studies show that Silymarin may help with the regeneration of liver cells, decrease inflammation, and protect liver cells from damage in an antioxidant-type manner[viii]
ThymoQuin (Black seed oil)
Studies done in animals have shown that ThymoQuin (a patented black seed oil), reduces fat particle size and amounts in the liver. This ingredient shows great promise for its impact on metabolic syndrome and fatty liver.
References
[i] https://www.tcmworld.org/what-is-tcm/the-five-major-organ-systems/tcm-lifestyle-wisdom-for-liver-health/
[ii] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/305075.php
[iii] https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/nafld-nash/definition-facts
[iv] https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-017-06926-1
[v] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354567
[vi] Castellino G, Nikolic D, Magán-Fernández A, Malfa GA, Chianetta R, Patti AM, Amato A, Montalto G, Toth PP, Banach M, Cicero AFG, Rizzo M. Altilix®Supplement Containing Chlorogenic Acid and Luteolin Improved Hepatic and Cardiometabolic Parameters in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome: A 6 Month Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2019 Oct 25;11(11):2580. doi: 10.3390/nu11112580. PMID: 31731527; PMCID: PMC6893885.
[vii] Devaraj, Ezhilarasan. Hepatoprotective properties of Dandelion: Recent update. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science. 6. 202-205. 10.7324/JAPS.2016.60429
[viii] PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. Milk Thistle (PDQ®): Health Professional Version. 2018 Aug 17. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK65780/