5 Best Herbs For Liver Support (The Truth & Science)
As one of the most vital organs in the body, the liver is key to optimal health. In this guide, we will discuss the three best herbs for liver support that can help in maintaining a healthy liver, including one you won't read about anywhere else.
Herbs For Liver Support
Many people look for liver support since the liver plays a significant role in so many function within the body. Luckily, there are natural remedies that can help support the liver and promote its optimal function. In this guide, we'll explore the top three herbs for liver support:
- Japanese RaisinĀ
- Glutathione
- Prickly Pear
- Milk Thistle
- Tumeric
These five herbs for liver support, either individually or in combination in a liver aid supplement, can have amazing benefits and are backed by science. We'll dive into each one in much more depth, keep reading below.
What Causes Harm To Your Liver
The liver is a hardworking organ that can sometimes become overburdened due to unhealthy lifestyle choices, drinking, and even environmental factors. Several factors can contribute to liver damage and dysfunction, including:
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Alcohol: Consuming alcohol can be taxing on the liver and lead to liver damage (and even fatty liver disease,and cirrhosis).
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Sugar: Too much sugar consumption, or high-fructose corn syrup, can cause fatty buildup in the liver.Ā²
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Medications: Certain medications, including some painkillers (cetaminophens) and antibiotics, are considered hepatotoxic and can cause liver damage.Ā²
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Obesity: Obesity or weight gain can cause fat to build up in the liver with risk of developing NAFLD non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Ā²
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Hepatitis: Hepatitis viruses, including hepatitis B and C, can cause inflammation and damage to the liver.Ā²
In addition, anything that is toxin related such as chemicals and drugs can be harmful to you liver as it's your body's main detoxifying organ.
Benefits Of Liver Support
As such a key part of the body, liver support has become so popular due to the many benefits. The liver is involved in many functions, including the following:
- Filtering out toxins and harmful substances from our bloodstream.Ā¹
- Storing vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.Ā¹
- Supporting digestion through bile production.Ā¹
- Detoxification of alcohol.Ā¹
- Builds proteins your cells need.Ā³
- Supplies energy with glucose conversion to glycogen.Ā³
- Assits in hormone regulation.Ā³
By taking liver supporting herbs, you can aid your liver's function in all of its capacities.
The Truth About Liver Supporting Herbs
The truth is that many ingredients can support the liver, however, there is a big difference with which ones have exponentially more efficacy. What we found in the science is that the best herbs for liver support tend to have high potency radical-scavenging activity.
What this means is the best herbs are superior antioxidants, and therefore show the best results. We'll detail our picks of the those five best liver-supporting herbs below so you can make sure your liver supporting supplement includes some or all of these.
5 Best Herbs For Liver Support
If you're looking for the best herb for liver repair or herbs to rejuvenate your liver, you've come to right spot.
We've spent over ten years studying herbs for liver aid, including the studies and science modernly available. To dial in the best, we've narrowed it down to the five best herbs for liver support.
1. Japanese Raisin (Hovenia Duclis)
Japanese Raisin, also known as the Hovenia Dulcis, is a tree native to East Asia. Its fruits and seeds have been used in traditional medicine for their liver-supporting properties.
Japanese Raisin is rich in flavonoids and other antioxidants, which can help protect the liver from damage caused by oxidative stress. It also contains
dihydromyricetin (DHM), a compound that has been shown to support liver function with alcohol consumption.
- A 2020 published study found japanese raisin seeds to have strong antioxidant power and reduce oxidative effects on the liver.ā“
- Research at a University in Japan showed japanese raisin to have hepatoprotective effects more potent than milk thistle.āµ
- Science further showed positive benefits on liver injury models and potent radical-scavenging activity.āµ
With even more potency than milk thistle, which is a well-known liver supporting herb, Japanese is the less know but more powerful liver supporting herb.
2. Glutathione
Glutathione is a one of the most powerful antioxidants, and the only one that is naturally produced in the liver. It plays a crucial role in protecting the liver from damage caused by toxins and oxidative stress.
Glutathione is also involved in the detoxification process and helps remove harmful substances from the body. Considered the body's master antioxidant, this is the mother of natural liver-supporting ingredients.
- Research in Japan discovered glutathione to support liver metabolism and improve the liver.ā¶
- Science shows an increase in evidence that glutathione synthesis is related to liver issues.ā¶
This powerhouse antioxidant is essential to the body, and with often being depleted it's one of the best ingredients you could take to support your liver.
3. Prickly Pear
Prickly pear is a type of cactus that is native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. Its fruit and stems have been used in traditional medicine for their claimed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- A study from Mexico City revealed prickly pear to improve liver damage and insulin, as well as lower oxidative stress.āø
- Prickly pear, through its strong antioxidant enhancing abilities, was found in a Tunisia study to have liver function supporting benefits.ā¹
This herbal, desert fruit is a superior source for all your liver-supporting needs.
4. Milk Thistle
Many are more familiar with milk thistle, an herb that has been used for centuries to support liver health. While shown in research to have lower antioxidant activity than japanese raisin, this herb for liver support is not to be ignored.
- Milk thistle (silymarin) was shown in a Mexican study to be a liver protecting antioxidant.Ā¹ā°
- It was found that silymarin to enhance glutathione in the liver for liver antioxidant defense, which is another strong liver-supporting ingredient.Ā¹ā°
Milk thistle is a worthy, natural herb for liver support with a history of usage to back it up.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that has been used for centuries in traditionally recognized for its antioxidant properties. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has been shown to have hepatoprotective effects and may support liver health.
Commonly found in India and Southern Asia, turmeric is thought in Ayurvedic medicine to have many medicinal qualities.
- Research shows curcumin from turmeric employs an impressive protective and supporting effect on the liver and helps oxidative stress.Ā¹Ā¹
- Numerous studies reveal curcumin to show improvements in liver enzymes (done on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD).Ā¹Ā²
More than just a spice for your food, you can now consider turmeric for your liver health.
In summary, these five herbs for liver support are the best based on the studies and science ā including japanese raisin, glutathione, prickly pear, milk thistle, and turmeric. You can buy these herbs separately or sometimes in combination to have a very strong herbal liver supporting supplement.
Best Supplement For Liver Support
With its unique blend of natural ingredients, Zaca chewables are the ultimate choice for anyone looking to promote liver function and overall wellness. Featuring a potent combination of japanese raisin, glutathione, and prickly pear ā these powerful in the chewables work to support your liver and natural detoxification processes. And with its convenient, on-the-go format, you can take Zaca chewables with you wherever you go - whether you're traveling, hitting the gym, or having a few drinks. Simply take 2-4 chewables per day, or as needed. Try Zaca chewables today and discover the best supplement for liver support on the market.
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SOURCES:
1. What Is The Function Of The Liver
https://www.letsgetchecked.com/articles/what-is-the-function-of-the-liver/
2. Surprising Things That Can Damage Your Liver
https://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/ss/slideshow-surprising-liver-damage
3. Benefits Of A Healthy Liver
https://balanceone.com/blogs/news/10-benefits-of-a-healthy-liver
4. Hepatoprotective effects of Hovenia dulcis seeds against alcoholic liver injury and related mechanisms investigated via network pharmacology
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7327782/
5. Hepatoprotective effect of Hovenia dulcis THUNB. on experimental liver injuries (full in PDF)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9145214/
6.. Efficacy of glutathione for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: an open-label, single-arm, multicenter, pilot study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5549431/
7. Dysregulation of Glutathione Synthesis in Liver Disease
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2542568420300234
8. Opuntia ficus indica (nopal) attenuates hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress in obese Zucker (fa/fa) rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23014486/
9. Evaluation of Opuntia ficus indica f. inermis fruit juice hepatoprotective effect upon ethanol toxicity in rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23047946/
10. Hepatoprotective Effect Of Silymarin
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3959115/
11. The impact of turmeric or its curcumin extract on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review of clinical trials
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6463416/
12. What to know about turmeric for fatty liver
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/turmeric-for-fatty-liver
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