How To Support Your Liver With Herbs and Supplements

Every element of your body plays a vital role in keeping you healthy, but many people often forget the importance of their livers. 

Responsible for nutrient processing, bile production, removing toxins from the bloodstream and storing essential vitamins, a functioning liver is integral to your overall health. 

Failing to look after it can put you at risk of numerous health conditions, including fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, cancer and liver failure. According to the Canadian Liver Foundation, 5,000 people die annually from liver disease, highlighting an ongoing problem. 

In this guide, we'll explain everything you need to know about liver function and how herbs and supplements can support it. 

Let's dive in. 

How The Liver Works 

Did you know that the liver performs over 500 functions? It would be impossible to mention them all here, so let's break them down into the key duties that define your overall health. 

Nutrient processing 

Everything you eat and drink goes through the intestines, and the liver processes nutrients and then harnesses them for bodily functions. For example, it can take glucose and release it when your blood sugar levels drop or store vitamins and minerals, giving your body a steady supply. 

Detoxification 

The liver also filters toxins and removes them from the body. Each cell acts like a sieve, removing alcohol, drugs, ammonia, and bilirubin and converting them to less harmful substances. It's essentially a processing hub, ensuring your body gets what it needs. 

Producing bile 

Bile facilitates digestion and breaks down fats. The liver produces it and sends it to the gallbladder, where it is stored. Bile is integral to breaking fats, ensuring the intestines can absorb them. 

Herbs Shown To Improve Liver Function

Now that you know what the liver is and how it works, it's time to explore which herbs play a key role in its functioning. Herbs are abundant in important nutrients and don't use chemicals. 

However, despite their many benefits, herbs often play a background role compared to pharmaceuticals. Here are the best herbs for liver function and performance.  

1: Turmeric

Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient revered for its holistic properties. It's also abundant in antioxidants, and many people believe it can decrease the risks of cancer.

While there's limited research on turmeric and liver health, some studies show a promising link between the herb and its ability to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NCBI). 

If you're looking for quality turmeric supplements, we recommend YouTheory Turmeric Capsules, which contain 95% total curcuminoids. 

2: Artichoke

While artichoke is a vegetable, it's also popular in holistic medicine. Many specialists believe it can enhance liver health by enhancing your digestive system and facilitating bile production. 

If you're not a fan of artichoke—it has an acquired taste—using supplements that contain it is a great way to support digestive health. The St. Francis Artichoke Drops are easy to take and mix well with water to support digestion before meals. 

3: Ginseng

Ginseng is a herb that supports a range of functions and enhances overall health. So, what does it do for your liver? Studies show that ginseng is rich in antioxidants and can enhance liver health while protecting against disease (Science Direct).

Taking Natural Factors Ginseng SoftGels can also provide additional support against alcohol and other toxins.  

4: Milk Thistle

Milk thistle—also known as silymarin—is a powerful herb with proven benefits for liver protection. Civilizations have utilized it as a treatment for liver and bile conditions for thousands of years, and studies show it can slow down the progression of liver disease (Mount Sinai). We already know there are incredible benefits to using milk thistle supplements.

Silymarin can also increase survival rates in people with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, making Milk Thistle Supplements a wise investment. 

5: Dandelion

Dandelion is a long-term treatment for liver health, but little scientific research has shown its effectiveness.

However, many believe its high level of antioxidants plays a key role in reducing inflammation and protecting against liver damage. 

The best thing about dandelions is their versatility. Depending on your preferences, you can use dandelion tea, capsules or liquid. 

What Is The Gallbladder?

The gallbladder is an important organ that stores the bile your liver produces and releases it to aid the digestion of fatty foods. It's located just under the liver and performs the following functions: 

• Storage: While the liver produces bile, the gallbladder is a storage system, concentrating the bile and making it more effective at breaking down fatty foods. 
• Releasing Bile: After eating fatty foods, the gallbladder will release bile into the small intestine, ensuring it can provide optimal digestion.
• Fat Absorption: Due to their size, the body cannot effectively absorb fat molecules without support. However, the gallbladder releases bile to emulsify these molecules, making it easy to digest them. 

The Relationship Between The Liver and Gallbladder

Your liver and gallbladder work harmoniously to power up your digestive system and ensure the effective breakdown of fats. While the liver is essentially the manufacturer, the gallbladder acts as a storage system. 

So, while the gallbladder stores and releases bile, the liver produces it and is integral to digestion. Both organs are essential, but people can't survive without their livers. 

They can, however, still produce and digest bile without a gallbladder, but the bile goes straight from the liver into the small intestines. 

How Can Liver Herbs Help With Gallbladder Function?

Due to their close relationship, taking herbs that support your liver can also enhance gallbladder function. As the gallbladder stores any bile produced by the liver, the herbs you take can improve its ability to concentrate and send it to the small intestines. 

Detoxify The Liver And Gallbladder

Herbs can support the detoxification processes of both the gallbladder and the liver, making it easier for the liver to expel harmful toxins such as alcohol. Supplements containing silymarin and artichoke enhance liver function, providing a consistent supply of bile to the gallbladder. 

Ideal Liver Function Aids With Gallbladder Function

A healthy liver makes a significant difference to how your gallbladder functions. Taking herbs that increase liver function can charge up your gallbladder and ensure it concentrates bile correctly. If the liver can regulate blood sugar levels and perform other functions, it supports the gallbladder. 

Herbs Assist In Bile Production 

Some herbs can rev up the liver and ensure it produces higher amounts of bile, which the gallbladder needs to function optimally. If you eat a diet high in fatty foods, the gallbladder will need a consistent supply of bile to break down the molecules. 

Gallbladder Function Helps With Ideal Digestion

Improper digestion can cause long-term conditions such as malabsorption, which leads to nutrient deficiencies and weight loss. If the gallbladder doesn't function properly it can result in gallstones, which means you might require a removal if the symptoms worsen. 

Improve Liver Function With Herbs and Supplements 

As you can see, the liver plays a key role in overall health and well-being, and any issues can impact the gallbladder. Taking herbal supplements for both the liver and gallbladder is a simple way to enhance liver function and ensure it provides a steady supply of bile to the gallbladder. 

Choosing the right supplements for your needs protects the gallbladder from damage and facilitates digestion. Lifestyle Markets supplies a range of effective herbal supplements from reputable suppliers at great prices. 

Please feel free to shop today or contact our friendly team if you have any questions.