Top Ingredients to Look For in a Liver Support Supplement

Your liver is the most important organ after the heart and brain: it performs numerous functions that are essential for life, including detoxification, metabolism, and lipid manufacture. Nearly every system in the body uses the liver somehow, as it has a key role in energy production and storage, and then the liver struggles, the rest of the body does too. As such, it’s important that you provide your liver with the nutrients that it needs to function properly.

Like with everything else, all products are not made equal: some liver support supplements have the ingredients necessary to keep a healthy liver happy, while others are expensive placebos which do little to assist you in your health journey. When scouring the labels of a liver support product, hunt down these key ingredients that have scientifically proven benefits for this hardworking organ.

Choline

The Cleveland Clinic notes that choline is an important nutrient which supports liver and brain function, and it can have a positive impact on your mood as well.

As many people get choline from a variety of everyday foods, such as potatoes, meat, eggs, and beans, your liver support supplement doesn’t need to have the entire recommended daily value in order to be useful. 

Biotin

Biotin supplements are usually discussed in relation to healthy hair, skin, and nails, but they can assist other parts of the body as well, including the liver. As part of the B complex of vitamins, biotin helps with the metabolism of fats and proteins, which is one of the major roles of the liver. 

This vitamin is relatively common in food, including cooked eggs, sardines, nuts, legumes, and whole grains, but it is also water-soluble, meaning that you need to eat these foods on a regular basis for a steady supply. If you’ve been slacking a bit on your diet but want to ensure that your liver has everything it needs to work well, supplementing with biotin is a good idea. 

Green Tea Extract

Maybe you’re not crazy about tea, but you still want to enjoy the benefits of green tea, such as its antioxidant properties. Thankfully, you’re in luck, because most good liver supplements will also include this superfood. The benefits of green tea are many, but it has especial value for the liver, as it’s been noted that green tea can help regulate lipid production in the liver. 

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)

Of all the substances on this list, alpha-lipoic acid is the only one which is naturally produced in the human body; the others must be gained from outside resources. This may make you wonder why ALA is useful as a supplement if we already create it on our own, but it’s quite simple: your body might not be making enough. Alpha-lipoic acid is used by every cell in the body to turn glucose into energy, but it is also an antioxidant that fights free radicals, which are waste products created by metabolism. 

As the liver is heavily involved in generating energy for the rest of the body, you can understand that it needs ALA the most out of nearly any other body system; it’s an essential part of the liver’s work, and it’s important that there be enough ALA available at all times. Topping up your body’s alpha-lipoic acid stores can ensure that your liver can continue to turn glucose into glycogen and vice versa, allowing you the energy you need to live a happy life.

Olive-fruit Extract

Finally, we have olive-fruit extract, which is also an antioxidant. Derived from the byproducts of olive oil production, this substance helps to prevent oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Some research even suggests that it might play a role in cell signaling. The polyphenols of the olive fruit are one of the ingredients in the Mediterranean diet that make it so well-liked by doctors.

Remember to always ask your doctor before starting any supplement

Everyone is different, and that includes their general health and well-being. Not every supplement will be right for every person, whether that is because of underlying health conditions or because of their lifestyle, so you should consult with your doctor or pharmacist before you begin using any supplement. Provide your doctor with a list of the ingredients and ask them to confirm that it is safe for you to take them in the listed concentrations; also be sure to choose supplements from a well-respected company that has a reputation for quality products. By working with your doctor and choosing a good liver support supplement, you can maintain your healthy and active lifestyle for decades to come.

About the Author

Max Chekalov

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