Your liver is a vital organ that is responsible cleaning toxins from the blood and making a greenish-yellow liquid called bile that aids in the digestion process. A number of conditions and diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis can harm the liver. Limiting your alcohol consumption and eating a healthy diet may help prevent liver problems, according to the Mayo Clinic. Certain dietary supplements may also promote liver health.
Betaine
Betaine is a nutrient that might be helpful in treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and alcohol-induced cirrhosis. A study published in 2002 in the journal Hepatology found that although betaine did not improve hepatic steatosis, or fatty liver, it may prevent steatosis from getting worse. The research was lead by Dr. Manal Abdelmalek from the Division of Gastroenterology at Duke University.
Licorce Root
Licorice root has been used as a herbal remedy for numerous health conditions, including liver disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. An active compound in licorice root called glycyrrhizin might lower the risk of developing cirrhosis in hepatitis C patients. Hepatitis C is a viral disease that causes liver inflammation.
A Korean animal study published in October 2007 in the Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin found that glycyrrhizin has protective effects on the liver in mice. The study was led by C.H. Lee at the College of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Additional studies are needed to investigate the effectiveness of licorice root for fatty liver.
Southern Ginseng
Southern ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat numerous conditions including liver ailments, according to LiverSupport.com. The antioxidants contained in southern ginseng are purported to encourage healthy cell development and have protective effects on the liver.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle has been used to treat liver and gallbladder problems for centuries, according to the Mayo Clinic. A flavonoid called silymarin that's extracted from the seeds of milk thistle is thought to support liver health, protect it from damage, prevent inflammation and encourage the growth of liver cells, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
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