Life depends on the liver.
However you interpret that, it's pretty true. In this case, we’re talking about the organ in your body.
The liver is a large organ and is only found in vertebrates (animals with backbones). This makes sense if you consider how complex it is compared to other organs.
In fact, the liver is only rivaled in complexity by the brain and digestive system.
The liver is one of the most crucial systems in your body. All organs are essential and vital to life, but the liver has a very unique and significant responsibility.
It also has a major influence on the healthy function of all other vital organs.
The Role Of The Liver
The liver is your nutrient filtration system. All the food and substances you eat or drink receive a check by the liver to make sure any toxins are removed.
The liver is basically border patrol for your body, making sure to keep the good and remove the bad stuff.
But that's just one of the liver’s functions, we did say its a complex system.
Next up, the liver plays an important metabolic role. It helps regulate glycogen storage, the storage molecule of glucose in the body.
Another metabolic function of the liver is its activity with fat. Firstly, it produces bile, the digestive fluid necessary for breaking down fat. It also converts fat into ketone bodies when the body needs to dip into fat reserves to fuel metabolic activity.
These are just a couple of the main functions of the liver, but rest assured, this is an organ with quite a few essential responsibilities.
That being said, you can imagine the havoc damaging it could cause
What Causes Liver Damage
Aside from the obvious potential for mechanical damage such as trauma or injury, the liver can be damaged in several ways, ways which are typically avoidable unless genetics is a major factor.
One of those is fatty liver disease. This is where excess fat builds up in the liver, hindering its healthy function. Its a common result of alcohol abuse, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.
Fatty liver disease can lead to cirrhosis (an accumulation of scar tissue) or even liver cancer if the problem goes unchecked.
Another common liver condition is hepatitis, a group of viral infections with a nasty propensity to cause severe liver inflammation.
A characteristic symptom of this is jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by the resulting liver damage.
In this article, we’re going to look into supplements that can help you optimize the healthy function of the liver.
If you suspect these or any other serious liver problems, your first and best solution is a doctor’s appointment.
Top 5 Supplements For A Healthy Liver
1. Milk Thistle
One of the most tried and trusted liver health supplements out there. It comes from a flowering plant with purple blooms related to daisies.
milk thistle is an amazing way to boost liver health.
This is because of the active ingredient silymarin, a potent antioxidant with specific benefits for liver health.
2. Artichoke Leaf Extract
Artichoke leaf, as the name suggests, is the leaf of the artichoke, a vegetable is already well known for its liver boosting properties.
Artichoke leaf extract is the concentrated isolation of the active antioxidants that give the artichoke its liver health qualities.
It stimulates bile production and is even known to help with hangovers.
3. Dandelion Root
You may think this little puffball flowering plant has nothing to offer but some childhood amusement, but the dandelion comes packing some rather incredible nutrients.
They are an abundant source of vitamins A and C as well as numerous B vitamins which are essential to liver health.
The presence of B complex vitamins, especially folate, helps stave off fatty liver disease.
4. Vitamin E
Direct supplementation with Vitamin E is a great way to boost Liver health.
But what exactly does the fat-soluble vitamin do for the liver?
It has been proven to be pivotal in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a condition that can lead to severe, long term liver damage.
As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin E also helps in nourishing and protecting liver cells from any potential oxidative harm.
5. Citrus Flavonoids
These powerful antioxidants form part of the flavonoid profile of many common citrus fruits such as the grapefruit.
Grapefruits, in particular, contain the citrus flavonoids naringenin and naringin.
These have been shown to protect liver cells in lab studies.
Conclusion
Your liver is a vital organ, just as vital as the heart, brain, and kidneys to name a few.
So taking care of it is a top priority.
That also means any of the supplement suggestions we give in this article should not be taken as medical advice. Get a proper check up done if you really suspect something or just have a general concern for the health of your liver
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