Your liver is one of the most complex organs of the human body. It is also one of the most important.
Engaging in healthy lifestyle habits like exercising and eating a balanced diet can contribute to a healthy liver. You can also take liver supplements to improve your liver health.
Liver supplements have been becoming increasingly popular in recent years. These products can eliminate toxins and inflammation from the liver, and help support its overall health. Learn the truth about liver supplements.
When the liver is in a state of stress, these supplements can be used to target specific areas in the organ and reverse any damage. Over time, your liver will return to a balanced state. Liver supplements have been becoming increasingly popular in recent years.
What is the Liver?
What exactly is the liver? Well, this organ is essentially the body’s primary filtration system. It converts toxins into waste products, cleanses your blood, and metabolizes nutrients and medications into important proteins.
The liver performs a wide range of functions that contribute to your overall health. For one, it produces important substances in the body such as bile.
Bile is a chemical that helps convert fats into energy. It is a necessary chemical for the digestive process.
The liver also creates albumin, a blood protein that helps transport hormones, drugs and fatty acids through the body. Your liver also creates many beneficial substances that help your blood clot after injury.
In addition, the liver helps your body get rid of bilirubin, a substance found in bile. This substance can cause jaundice, or a yellowing of the skin and eyes. The liver also removes toxic products like alcohol from the body and destroys harmful bacteria and viruses that enter your body.
Finally, the liver helps you maintain an optimal level of blood sugar. When your blood needs glucose, your liver supplies it. It also removes glucose from the blood if there is an excess.
Common Ingredients of Liver Supplements
Most liver supplements contain some combination of these three ingredients: milk thistle, zinc, and licorice root.
Milk thistle, also known as silymarin, is the most popular herbal supplement for liver issues in the United States. Milk thistle extract is made up of almost 50% silibinin, which is the active ingredient in silymarin.
Zinc is a vital trace element in the body that supports cell division, DNA synthesis, and immune function. One of the most common symptoms of chronic liver disease is zinc deficiency, which is why it is such a popular ingredient in liver supplements.
Licorice root is a herb that contains an active compound called glycyrrhizic acid. This chemical helps reduce inflammation in the liver and repair damaged liver cells.
Be Aware of Risks
Despite the many benefits of liver supplements, there are some risks to be aware of.
If you are currently on any medications or other supplements, check in with your health provider to see if there are any harmful interactions possible.
Also try not to overdo the supplements. Take them only as directed, never going past the recommended dosage. Taking too much of a liver supplement can actually harm the liver in the long run.
Get Tested
If you have an unhealthy liver, your health could be in serious jeopardy. Most people with an unhealthy liver end up developing some form of hepatitis.
However, in serious cases, a damaged or diseased liver can lead to liver failure. That’s why it’s so crucial to take care of your liver.
It is wise to be conscious about liver health from an early age. This isn’t something that you can just ignore until you get old. In fact, many people never realize how damaged their liver is until it’s too late.
There are a number of tests you can take to evaluate the health of your liver. These tests include liver function tests, liver scans, liver biopsies, CT scans, ultrasounds, and MRI scans.
If you’re a victim of liver damage, it may be wise to implement a liver supplement into your diet. Just remember to ask your health provider beforehand if it’s safe for you.
Keeping Your Liver Healthy
Besides taking liver supplements, you should also do your best to engage in a healthy lifestyle. To keep your liver functioning well and to prevent liver disease, you should stay up to date with your shots, wash your hands often, limit your exposure to toxins, control your cholesterol, practice good hygiene, and be careful with what medications you take.
One of the most common ways that people damage their liver is by using tobacco or alcohol. If possible, avoid using these products. If you’re hellbent on using them, do so in moderation.
