8 Supplements for Liver Health that Boost Immunity

Even though it may be hard to believe, the liver can be an immunological organ.  In fact, it’s the biggest solid organ in the human body and has unique immunological properties, like inducing immune tolerance and generating a robust innate immunity. 

The liver is constantly exposed to various bacterial products, environmental toxins, and food antigens. To fight them off, the liver depends on its innate immune system to protect against toxic agents without generating an adverse immune response. [1] 

In addition to this, the liver allows us to eliminate heavy metals and other pollutants, which is why supporting liver health is paramount to our health and wellbeing. 

Today, let’s cover a few natural supplements for liver health that can boost your immunity and help your body deal with toxins easier.

Quality Natural Supplements for Liver Health

Our bodies cannot keep up with the increasing toxic burden of our world. The pollution of the air and water and pesticides in the food we eat are significant concerns and sources of environmental toxins that end up in the liver. 

While it may come as a surprise, various biological processes, such as cellular energy production in our body, also produce endogenous toxins.

• In addition to this, pharmaceutical medications consumed by an enormous population lead to livers with impaired abilities to perform their functions.

Unfortunately, eating healthy is no longer enough to maintain optimal liver and cellular function that would allow us to process toxins and have adequate liver immune responses. 

At this point, supplements are quite welcome. With the right nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, you can help your liver process waste and stay healthy longer. 

8 Best Supplements for Liver Health

1. Beta Glucan

We know that several types of beta-glucans are available in supplements and naturally in foods. Out of them, most have excellent antioxidant properties and immune-boosting properties and are macrophage stimulators. [2]

In fact, many experts observe how antioxidants found in beta glucans reduce liver damage and oxidative stress when taken regularly. 

• Beta glucans can be obtained from grains like oats, enriched foods, or supplements like the ImmunoBRAN capsules found in our store.

2. N Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC)

These are sulfur-rich antioxidants. For decades, they have been used to aid liver function. In fact, scientists found that NAC can significantly enhance glutathione levels in the liver.

• In a study done in 2009, scientists showed that NAC helps stimulate the regeneration of healthy liver cells in animals who had their liver removed.

3. L-Glutathione

L-Glutathione is another excellent antioxidant that can be produced in cells and comprises three main amino acids: glutamine, glycine, and cysteine. Because of that, L-Glutathione is essential to maintain function and reduce oxidative stress. That’s all thanks to its ability to detoxify the body. [3]

• Even though they can be produced in the body, their levels can be reduced due to poor nutrition, environmental toxins, and stress.

Furthermore, scientists found that our body uses the L-Glutathione reserves in the liver to protect itself from endogenous and exogenous toxins. That’s why maintaining high levels of this antioxidant in the body is essential for optimal health and liver function.

4. Milk Thistle Extract

Much like N Acetyl-L-Cysteine, this extract can reduce inflammation and oxidation in the body. This way, it helps liver cell regeneration and protects against future damage.

• Traditionally, it has been used to treat alcoholic hepatitis, liver disease (cirrhosis), and viral hepatitis worldwide.

Thus, one of the most essential functions of this supplement in the body is increasing glutathione production. In fact, the compound that milk thistle helps create, glutathione, has a nickname “the mother of all antioxidants”.

In addition, it also contains silymarin, a flavonoid responsible for liver function optimization and antioxidant activity of these supplements for liver health.

5. Dandelion

Next up, we have the root and leaves of dandelions. They are an ancient, well-known herbal medicine that can treat liver diseases. Even in the old days people knew that the root improves the body’s ability to remove toxins while boosting bile productionL-Glutathione.

• These also reduce free radicals in the body and strengthen plasma antioxidant enzyme activity.[4]

In addition, it has a variety of vitamins and nutrients that increase its liver cleansing properties that keep it working correctly.

6. Turmeric Root

You’ve probably heard of it before. Turmeric is a superfood well known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. With its long history of medicinal use, this root is beneficial in reducing the risk of fatty liver disease caused by stress.

Because it’s one of the most common disease causes, stress can be related to damage in the endoplasmic reticulum of cells which contributes to the development of fatty liver.

• The highly antioxidant properties of turmeric makes it ideal for those who take medication because it can reduce side effects on the liver.

While the two names “turmeric” and “curcumin” can be confusing, they’re related but very different. It’s simple – curcumin is the name of the main active ingredient in turmeric root. You can also get the compound curcumin in supplement form.

However, curcumin is hard to absorb through diet. It’s a good idea to combine the spice with black pepper for maximum absorption. Alternatively, check out CurcumaPRO capsules available on our website to get maximum benefits out of curcumin without hassle.

7. Burdock Root

This root has a long history as a plant for dietary use in folk medicine. Its health benefits come from its powerful antioxidants like quercetin, luteolin, and phenolic acids.

It’s an amazing plant. The antioxidants found in burdock root can help reduce inflammation and protect the liver from oxidative stress involved in liver disorders and damage.

• You can also use it to minimize hepatoxicity caused by medications and other liver-damaging toxins. [5]

Thanks to that, burdock root supplements for liver health represent an excellent treatment aid or alternative for diseases like cirrhosis, certain types of cancer, and fatty liver diseases.

8. Selenium

Unlike all the other discussed supplements, selenium is not an herbal supplement but a mineral one.

In nature, selenium is present in the soil as a trace mineral. It can also be found in some foods as part of several enzymes like glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase. As a compound, it directly affects glutathione levels in the body since it is involved in its methylation process.

• Low selenium in blood was shown as a problem for patients with chronic Hepatitis B or C, infections, and alcoholic, autoimmune or cryptogenic liver disease.

The Bottom Line 

We all know that our environment and eating habits have made it almost impossible to maintain good liver health. Sadly, we’re not making the job any easier on our livers – the amount of toxins and oxidative stress we face keeps increasing every day.

But there’s hope that we can live better and healthier. Fortunately, all the plants, herbs, and minerals listed above can help our body process all these harmful toxins exposed to and prevent other disorders by boosting our immune system.

In fact, supplements for liver health are a fantastic tool to make sure you are consuming enough antioxidants and other liver healing compounds. Get started on the journey with ImunoBRAN and CurcumaPRO!

References:

1. Gao B. Basic liver immunology. Cell Mol Immunol. 2016;13(3):265-266. doi:10.1038/cmi.2016.09
2. Erkol H, Kahramansoy N, Kordon O, Büyükaşık O, Serin E, Ulaş N. Tıkanma sarılığında beta glukanın karaciğer hasarına etkisi [Effects of beta-glucan on hepatic damage caused by obstructive jaundice]. Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg. 2011 Jul;17(4):303-7. Turkish. doi: 10.5505/tjtes.2011.88964. PMID: 21935826.
3. Main PA, Angley MT, O’Doherty CE, Thomas P, Fenech M. The potential role of the antioxidant and detoxification properties of glutathione in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2012;9:35. Published 2012 Apr 24. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-9-35
4. Davaatseren M, Hur HJ, Yang HJ, Hwang JT, Park JH, Kim HJ, Kim MS, Kim MJ, Kwon DY, Sung MJ. Dandelion leaf extract protects against liver injury induced by methionine- and choline-deficient diet in mice. J Med Food. 2013 Jan;16(1):26-33. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2012.2226. Epub 2012 Dec 20. PMID: 23256442.
5. Liang W, Xu L, Sui Z, et al. Quantification of plasmid DNA reference materials for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli based on UV, HR-ICP-MS and digital PCR. Chem Cent J. 2016;10(1):55. Published 2016 Sep 12. doi:10.1186/s13065-016-0201-0