Should you use liver tonics?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi Nhat - Infectious Diseases - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Just walking around the drugstore or online sales websites, you can easily find many different liver tonic products with advertisements such as this product to help protect and promote liver health, support the body's natural detoxification process. Are these liver tonics really effective and safe? Should you use liver tonics?

1. Should you use liver tonics?

The liver is the largest and most important organ in the body. The liver represents the main filtration system of the human body, converting toxins into waste products, cleaning the blood, and metabolizing nutrients and drugs to provide the body with some of its most important proteins.
The liver is a detoxifying factory of the body, the use of tonics to detoxify the liver does not make much sense. However, there are also a few studies that show that the ingredients in liver tonics are beneficial for the body.
Liver supplement labels claim their products will “detox”, “regenerate” and “rescue” your liver. They're meant to get rid of the harmful effects of alcohol, fat, sugar, and all the other toxins your liver is forced to process over the years or after a weekend of binge drinking.
The makers of this liver tonic promise that their supplements will help regenerate your liver and restore its maximum function.

Trắc nghiệm: Làm thế nào để bảo vệ lá gan khỏe mạnh?

Làm test trắc nghiệm kiểm tra hiểu biết về gan có thể giúp bạn nhận thức rõ vai trò quan trọng của gan, từ đó có các biện pháp bảo vệ gan để phòng ngừa bệnh tật.

2. Ingredients of liver tonic

Many liver tonics contain a combination of herbal ingredients, vitamins, and minerals:
Milk thistle extract: Milk thistle has been used to treat liver disorders for over 2,000 years. This is the most commonly used herbal ingredient in liver tonics. The main active ingredient in milk thistle is silymarin. Laboratory studies show that silymarin helps regenerate liver tissue, reduce inflammation, and protect liver cells from damage by acting as an antioxidant. However, there is also a study that shows that the use of milk star fruit leaves has no effect on complications or death from liver disease compared with placebo treatment. More research is still needed to know if milk thistle really works. Note because this supplement can lower blood sugar, people with diabetes should consult their doctor before taking it. Artichoke leaf: has antioxidant properties, studies show it has a protective effect on the liver. Animal studies show that artichoke extract helps regenerate liver cells. Many studies in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease showed that artichoke leaves reduced markers of liver damage compared with placebo. Dandelion Root: Although dandelion has been used to treat liver disease, evidence for its benefits is scant. More research is needed to determine if it is safe and effective for this purpose.

Nếu muốn dùng thuốc bổ gan, hãy hỏi ý kiến ​​bác sĩ trước để đảm bảo sản phẩm đó an toàn cho bạn.
Nếu muốn dùng thuốc bổ gan, hãy hỏi ý kiến ​​bác sĩ trước để đảm bảo sản phẩm đó an toàn cho bạn.

3. Are liver tonics safe?

Using herbs and supplements for any reason can do more harm than good. Available data suggest that herbal supplements are responsible for 20% of liver injury cases in the United States. According to a study involving the Drug Injury Liver Injury Network (DILIN), herbal supplements can cause more severe liver damage than conventional drugs.
A study published in the journal Hepatology in 2016 found that the frequency of liver damage caused by dietary supplements and herbs in the US seems to be increasing. In particular, this study found that green tea extract used in many liver tonics marketed as a "fat burner" or weight loss product could cause damage. liver similar to acute hepatitis.
There is not enough evidence to confirm taking supplements will detoxify or protect your liver. If you want to take any supplements, even those that are said to be good for liver health, you should consult a specialist because no matter how good the medicine is, if used in the wrong way can still be harmful. for health.

Thuốc bổ có an toàn cho gan không
Thuốc bổ có an toàn cho gan không

4. How to keep the liver healthy?

There is currently insufficient scientific evidence to fully support the use of supplements to treat or prevent liver disease. However, the following lifestyle choices can help keep the liver healthy:
Limit saturated fat intake: High levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood can cause fat to build up around the liver, which can lead to fat accumulation. can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and long-term liver damage. Limit alcohol use: The liver produces harmful chemicals, such as acetaldehyde, when it metabolizes alcohol. Heavy alcohol use can increase your risk of liver disease and other chronic diseases. The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for American recommend limiting alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. Minimize exposure to toxins: Exposure to toxins in the environment, such as cleaning products, pesticides, and cigarette smoke, can damage the liver as it filters these substances from the blood. Avoid drug abuse: Every drug you take is metabolized by the liver. Excessive drug use or abuse of drugs such as steroids and inhalers can permanently damage this organ. Using harmful or illegal drugs like heroin can also damage the liver. Do not use alcohol and certain drugs together: this combination can worsen liver damage. Read the instructions carefully before taking any prescription medication. Avoid alcohol if the label says the combination is unsafe. See your doctor if you suspect you have symptoms of liver disease or may have been exposed to the hepatitis virus. Most people remain asymptomatic in the early stages of liver disease. Doctors can detect early signs of liver damage during their annual physical exam.

Khám sức khỏe tổng quát giúp đánh giá chính xác về tình trạng sức khỏe của bạn
Khám sức khỏe tổng quát giúp đánh giá chính xác về tình trạng sức khỏe của bạn
In summary, current research shows that extracts from certain herbs with anti-inflammatory properties can prevent liver damage from infection and toxin exposure. However, all of these substances also carry health risks if not used properly. Currently, the scientific evidence that shows the benefits of using liver tonics is quite limited, so use with caution and consult your doctor.
Periodic health check-ups help to detect diseases early so that there is a treatment plan for optimal results. Accordingly, if during the general examination, the doctor finds that your liver is really "problematic", he will advise you to use liver tonics, suitable liver disease treatment.

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References: healthtalk.unchealthcare.org, medicalnewstoday.com, healthline.com

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