The liver acts as your body's detoxification center and helps to protect you from toxins in the environment as well as toxins that your body may produce naturally as you digest foods and some drugs. Under normal conditions, your liver does not need any help to detoxify itself but may benefit from supplements if you are eating a poor diet or if you have mild liver damage. It is important to note that many prescription drugs work by targeting the liver and that some liver detoxification supplements may interfere with these drugs. Consult your physician before beginning any liver detoxification regimen.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is one of the most popular herbal supplements used to detoxify and heal the liver. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine explains that milk thistle is rich in compounds known as silymarins, which have a number of beneficial effects on the liver. Milk thistle helps to prevent cells in your liver from absorbing too many toxins and also helps liver cells to regenerate. Silymarins are also powerful antioxidants that can help to prevent oxidative damage in the liver. As silymarins can interact with some prescription drugs, it is best to check with your physician before taking milk thistle.
Artichoke
Artichoke extract can be very healthy for the liver and is often found in liver detoxification supplements. VitaminsToHealth.com, an independent nutrition resource, describes many of the beneficial effects of artichoke on the liver. Artichoke can increase the production of bile in the liver to aid in detoxification. Artichoke also prevents the reabsorption of cholesterol as well as the synthesis of new cholesterol in the liver.
Glutathione
Glutathione is a super-antioxidant that plays an important protective role in every cell in your body. Glutathione is also critical to liver function, as it is involved in the processing and excretion of toxins. Vitamins-Supplements.org, an independent guide to vitamins and supplements, explains that glutathione is central in the liver detoxification process. Glutathione also helps to protect the liver from oxidative damage that occurs as your liver detoxifies the rest of your body. Many chronic diseases can actually lower glutathione levels and cause poor liver function. While glutathione supplements are available in many health food stores, it may be best to get glutathione from fresh vegetable sources such as asparagus and broccoli.
