4 Questions and Answers About Liver Health

by Melissa Chichester

Your liver plays a vital role in your health. It’s one of the hardest-working organs in your body in addition to being the largest internal organ. 

The liver’s primary roles are to cleanse toxins and waste from your body and produce bile. Bile helps carry waste away from the body and assists with digestion. It is also involved in immune response. 

When your immune cells get ready to respond to foreign substances, cells in the liver help your body get rid of them.

Here are 4 questions and answers about liver health and how you can support your liver throughout your lifetime. 

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What is the best diet to follow to promote liver health?

Your liver is involved in digestion, nutrient absorption, and metabolizes everything we put into our bodies. Eating a well-balanced diet rich in fresh and clean fruits and vegetables, optimal hydration, fiber, and protein is key to supporting your liver. Many experts recommend a Mediterranean diet for balance.

How can I keep my liver healthy?

Keeping your liver healthy is like keeping the rest of your body healthy. That means eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and reducing your alcohol intake. The American Liver Foundation recommends limiting alcohol to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks a day for men.

Should I do a liver cleanse? 

There are all sorts of cleanses out there with big promises. One might say to drink a unique concoction of lemon juice with spices. Another might say the key to cleansing involves tracking down expensive herbal blends. 

However, only your doctor can determine if your liver needs extra care. Always discuss liver concerns with a physician who knows your personal history. Johns Hopkins Medicine states there is not enough evidence to support liver cleanses at this time.

What supplements support liver health? 

There are four supplements that support liver health and may have other added benefits. Always ask your doctor before taking these supplements.

TUDCA

TUDCA is short for “tauroursodeoxycholic acid.” This is a next-generation liver supplement that can support your overall health and wellness routine.* TUDCA can therefore be used in combination with milk thistle or on its own for liver health.*

TUDCA is a bile acid, which is naturally produced in your liver from cholesterol.

One of the main functions of bile acid is to help with nutrient absorption of dietary fats and fat-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin D, E, and K.

Our bodies have a natural balance of hydrophobic bile acids (do not mix with water) and hydrophilic bile acids (mix with water). TUDCA is a beneficial hydrophilic bile acid that has been shown to support the liver and is found in our body in very small amounts.

Help keep your liver functioning in prime condition with this innovative supplement.*

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Milk thistle

Milk thistle is the most well-known herb traditionally used for liver support, by supporting the structure of the outer cell membrane of liver cells.* This can help to strengthen the liver to maintain normal liver function.* It contains silymarin, which is the beneficial active component of the plant that can be extracted from milk thistle seeds. 

Artichoke extract

Artichoke extract may help increase liver bile production.*  This assists the body with the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients.* It also helps support glutathione levels.* L-glutathione is made out of three amino acids: glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid.

Berberine & Silymarin

Berberine & Silymarin is a combination supplement with several benefits. It’s a great way to support heart health and maintain healthy liver function.* 

Berberine is an alkaloid, which is an organic compound that’s found naturally in plants.

In addition to its support of heart health, Berberine also provides cholesterol support.* It helps maintain cholesterol and triglyceride levels that are already within a normal range.* What’s more, it also helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels already within a normal range.* 

Silymarin has been traditionally used for liver health.* Our formula is standardized for the active silymarin components that help deliver the benefits that milk thistle is known for. So if you want to provide support for your heart and liver, Berberine & Silymarin is a great choice.*

The bottom line is there are many factors that play a role in supporting liver health. The most important of these is keeping a healthy lifestyle that helps you feel good daily.