Things you should know before taking liver tonics

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Vo Thi Thuy Trang - Digestive Endoscopy Doctor - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Da Nang International Hospital

Although the liver serves as the body's main filtering and detoxification system, supplement manufacturers like to suggest that the liver can use its own method of detoxification. In this article, we take a look at what you should know before taking liver supplements to see if these products work.

1. What is a liver tonic?

The liver is one of the largest and most important organs in our body. In addition to storing and releasing energy from food, it acts as the body's natural filter. The liver filters the “waste” in the blood, removing toxins and waste from the body. Given the importance of this organ to one's health, it is not surprising that supplement manufacturers have taken notice and turned people's attention to methods of liver detoxification. The liver performs many essential functions, including cleaning the blood, synthesizing proteins, producing hormones, and aiding digestion. Some liver tonic manufacturers claim that their products will detoxify and rejuvenate the liver.
Thousands of products with names like “Protect Liver”, “Rescue the Liver” and “Detoxify the Liver” claim they can help get our liver back to its best – and make you feel better in this process. However, do liver tonics work? And does your body detox really need its own detox?
In fact, many of the claims about liver detox supplements are inconsistent with research. Although some studies have found benefits from certain ingredients supplements -- like milk thistle and artichoke leaves -- they've mostly been found in people with liver disease. Whether these supplements can improve liver function in healthy people has not been fully proven to date.
Liver supplement labels claim that their product will “detox”, “regenerate” and “rescue” our liver. They're meant to get rid of the harmful effects of alcohol, fat, sugar, and all the other toxins your liver has been forced to process over the years - or after a party with friends every weekend. Websites that sell liver tonics often claim their products:
Promote liver function and general health Protect liver cells from damage Stimulates growth of liver cells new Liver Detox Improves Blood Flow From The Liver The makers of these natural remedies promise that their supplements will regenerate your liver and restore liver function to its peak. They also claim their product will give the user more energy, boost their immune system, help them lose weight and even improve the user's mood.

2. How does the liver work?

Before thinking about using liver tonics on the market, we need to understand how the liver works.
With a weight of about 1.4 kg, the liver does a lot of important work. The liver is the final point of processing everything you eat. After your stomach and intestines finish digesting food, it travels through your bloodstream to your liver for filtration.
The liver breaks down fat to release energy, it produces a green-yellow substance called bile to make it easier for the body to break down and absorb fat.
This organ is involved in sugar metabolism, it pulls glucose from the blood and stores it as glycogen. Whenever your blood sugar drops, the liver releases glycogen to keep your blood sugar stable.
When alcohol, drugs and other toxins reach the liver, they are eliminated from the blood. Then, your liver either clears these substances or eliminates them through your urine or stools.

3. Popular liver tonics

Many liver tonics on the market contain a combination of three herbal ingredients:
Milk Thistle Artichoke leaves Dandelion root Let's break down each ingredient according to research.
3.1. Milk Thistle Milk thistle has been used to treat liver disorders for over 2,000 years. This is the most commonly used herbal ingredient. The active ingredient in milk thistle is silymarin and is made up of several natural plant chemicals.
Laboratory studies show that silymarin helps regenerate liver tissue, reduce inflammation and protect liver cells from damage by acting as an antioxidant. However, human studies are limited and liver tonic manufacturers often mix the two concepts.
One study looked at children who were being treated with chemotherapy for leukemia. After 28 days, the children given the milk thistle supplement had insignificantly less signs of liver damage than the other children.
Many studies on silymarin have involved people with cirrhosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C. A Cochrane meta-study evaluated 18 milk thistle studies that included people with these conditions. Supplementation did not have much of an effect on complications or death from liver disease compared with placebo (inactive) treatment. Many of the studies included in the review were of poor quality.
A 2017 analysis of studies found that silymarin slightly reduced certain liver enzymes, markers of liver damage, in people with liver disease. More research is still needed to know how well milk thistle might work. Milk thistle appears to be safe. However, some people have reported GI symptoms or allergic reactions while taking it. Because this supplement can lower your blood sugar, people with diabetes should check with their doctor before taking it.
3.2. Artichoke leaves Artichoke leaves have antioxidant properties. Studies show it can protect your liver. Research done on animals shows that it can also help regenerate liver cells.
In studies done in 2016 and 2018 in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, artichoke leaves reduced markers of liver damage compared to a placebo. However, the clinical benefits of artichoke leaf supplementation have yet to be conclusively demonstrated.
3.3. 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.

3.4. Other Ingredients In addition to milk thistle, artichoke and dandelion, liver supplements differentiate themselves by adding other ingredients to the mix. These may include :
Wild Mexican root Yellow root extract Chanca piedra hawthorn berry Chanca piedra However, currently, studies in humans have demonstrated the effects of these substances in decongesting as well as Hepatocyte regeneration is still very limited.

4. How to keep your liver healthy

Currently, there is not enough evidence to confirm whether taking supplements will detoxify or protect our liver. However, certain lifestyle choices have been shown to improve liver health. Here are some tips to keep your liver in optimal condition:
Limit fat in your diet: limit your intake of fried foods, sweets and fast foods that lead to weight gain. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Keeping a healthy diet will result in a leaner and healthier liver. Stay away from toxins: the chemicals in some insecticides, cleaning products, and aerosols can harm your liver when handling them. If these products must be used, make sure the room is well ventilated. Quit Smoking: Smoking is bad for the liver. Limit alcohol, beer and alcoholic beverages: Large amounts of beer, wine or liquor damage liver cells and can lead to cirrhosis. Drink alcohol in moderation - no more than one to two drinks per day. Avoid using certain medications chronically: every drug we take must be broken down and eliminated by the liver. Chronic 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 your liver. Don't mix alcohol and drugs: Using alcohol and certain medications together can worsen liver damage. Read the directions for use carefully before taking any prescription medication. Avoid drinking alcohol if the label says the combination is unsafe. Pharmaceutical companies that manufacture liver tonics often claim great liver benefits from their drugs. However, to date, most of these drugs have not been supported by studies to show whether they really work as advertised. It is best before using liver supplements or any other supplement products, you need to discuss and consult with your doctor.
Vinmec International General Hospital is a prestigious address for liver problems with a team of highly qualified and experienced doctors in the field of hepatobiliary disease screening with the support of equipment, Modern medical facilities will help to accurately identify liver related problems.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference sources: medicalnewstoday.com, healthline.com