Your liver is a large organ located in your upper abdominal cavity that performs hundreds of functions within your body. The American Liver Foundation states that three of the most important things you can do to maintain proper liver function are engage in a healthy lifestyle, limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages and manage your medications. Dietary supplements may also help improve the health and function of your liver. Ask your primary care provider if liver supplements are appropriate for you.
Liver-Related Conditions
There are numerous liver-related conditions. According to MayoClinic.com, possible liver-related conditions include liver cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, acute and chronic liver failure, hepatitis A, B, C, D and E, alcoholic hepatitis, bile duct obstruction, parasitic infection and liver cancer. Some of the most commonly experienced signs and symptoms associated with liver-related conditions include mild fever, fatigue, yellowing of your skin, reduced appetite, depression and abdominal pain -- especially abdominal pain in the upper right part of your abdomen.
Helpful Liver Supplements
Many dietary supplements may be helpful in treating your liver problems or improving your liver's health and function. According to Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," bupleurum, milk thistle, artichoke, dandelion, celandine, fringe tree and Oregon grape root may be among the most helpful supplements for this health purpose. Phosphatidylcholine, primrose oil and raw liver extract may also be beneficial. More scientific research evidence may be needed to validate the use of these dietary supplements in treating your liver problems. Consult with your primary physician before starting an herbal regimen.
Featured Supplement
Fringe tree may be one of the most effective dietary supplements for improving your liver health and function. In his book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," expert herbalist Ed Smith reports that fringe tree encourages liver action and drainage, thins your bile, helps prevent the formation of gallstones and helps treat numerous liver-related conditions, such as hepatitis with enlarged liver, alcoholic liver and liver congestion and jaundice. Extracts from the root bark are used in dietary supplements. Check with your doctor before using fringe tree to rule out possible side effects and drug interactions.
Disclaimer
Liver problems range in severity from mild and temporary to severe and chronic. If you are diagnosed with a liver-related health condition, review all possible treatment methods with your family physician. Your doctor can counsel you on the risks and benefits of complementary alternative healing methods, including dietary supplementation. To better understand the role of dietary supplementation in treating your liver problem, discuss treatment duration, dosage and methods of use with your health-care provider.
References
- American Liver Foundation: Liver Health and Wellness
- MayoClinic.com: Liver Problems
- "Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
