Liver Supplements To Boost This Important Organ’s Health

A variety of liver supplements which enhance the health of the liver are available. Liver supplements are used to prevent liver damage and support liver regeneration.

Supplements may be used to promote a healthy flow of bile and enhance detoxification. They provide antioxidants which prevent the tissues of the liver and entire body from breaking down and enhance nutrition to all of the cells, including the vital cells of the liver. If liver disease is present, such as with the increasingly common hepatitis virus, supplements may be used to decrease the vital load of the liver and body.

Specific Supplements which Improve the Health of the Liver

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) protects the liver and helps the liver to regenerate its own cells. ALA helps cells obtain and use energy. It helps increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin, thereby decreasing insulin resistance. I recommend using a high potency form which is time released.

Studies indicate that selenium may help to prevent liver cancer. Deficiencies of selenium can make viruses, such as the viruses which cause hepatitis, stronger. A selenium deficiency may enable viruses to reproduce faster as well. Taking selenium protects against this deficiency and its related effects. Selenium citrate prevents free radical damage and oxidative stress. It enhances the function of the immune system. Take selenium citrate, 200 mcg, daily.

Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) offer several benefits. Supplements rich in EFAs include fish, krill, flax, borage, hemp, and black currant seed oils. These oils reduce inflammation, promote healing, and improve fat utilization. Follow label instructions.

Vitamins for Liver Health

Vitamins are essential for a healthy liver. Here is what I recommend for vitamin supplementation to prevent liver disease and enhance healing if an illness is present.

* Vitamin E with mixed tocopherols 400 IU daily

* Vitamin A 50,000 units daily

* A multivitamin without iron each day. What follows is an example of a multivitamin which I consider to be optimally blended to support the health of the liver. Look for one with similar values. I prefer hypoallergenic, food based vitamins whenever possible.

* Multivitamin Ingredient Guidelines
Vitamin A (2,000 IU as Vitamin A acetate and 7,500 IU as beta-carotene) 9,500 IU total
Vitamin C 500 mg
Vitamin D 200 IU
Vitamin E 200 IU
Vitamin K 2.5 mcg
Thiamin 35 mg
Riboflavin 35 mg
Niacin (and as niacinamide) 35 mg
Vitamin B6 35 mg
Folic Acid 200 mcg
Vitamin B12 35 mcg
Biotin 150 mcg
Pantothenic Acid 35 mg
Calcium 300 mg
Phosphorus 180 mg
Iodine 35 mcg
Magnesium 180 mg
Zinc 10 mg
Selenium 25 mcg
Manganese 2.5 mg
Chromium 25 mcg
Molybdenum 25 mcg
Potassium 25 mg
Boron 0.5 mg
Nickel 0.25 mcg

* Vitamins which contain digestive enzymes are often better utilized than those which do not contain enzymes.

Supplements can be an important addition to a plan to enhance liver health. Supplements provide nutrients and other building blocks which the liver needs to stay healthy and rid it of weaknesses.

Author

This article was written for Insights-on-Health.com in Nov 2013 by Patricia Bratianu RN PhD RH-AHG. Patricia has been a Registered Nurse for almost forty years in a wide variety of settings. As a Registered Nurse, she realized that conventional healthcare was not meeting the needs of all patients. She became an herbalist and obtained a PhD in Natural Health. Patricia is a professional member of the American Herbalist’s Guild, passing the stringent peer reviewed process to become a Registered Herbalist.