If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about your liver very often. But the health of your liver and its detoxification pathways are at the core of total wellness. While you are going about your day, your liver is working overtime to detoxify your body and keep you healthy, so it’s important to give your liver the support it needs to do its job.
Experts estimate that your liver cleanses your blood at a rate of 1.5 quarts per minute, and overall it performs 500 complex functions—from metabolic functions to filtering out toxins—all of which the body relies on for wellbeing.1,2 Keeping your liver in tip-top condition should definitely be a priority. Eating a clean, well-balanced diet is important for liver health, but certain herbs can help too. Here are the best herbs to give your liver a helping hand.
Milk Thistle Extract for Liver Detox Support
Milk thistle has been used for centuries as a liver health supporter, and scientific studies have confirmed its benefits.3 Milk thistle supports healthy liver function, liver cell production and cholesterol metabolism for individuals with blood lipid levels already within the normal range.
The benefits of milk thistle are most often attributed to silymarin, a liver-supporting compound within milk thistle that works to boost the strength of the outer membrane of liver cells, making them more resistant to toxins, and may also guard against depletion of glutathione, a molecule made in the liver that provides important antioxidant benefits and stimulates immune health.4
Artichoke Extract for Liver Health
While often mistaken for a vegetable, this Mediterranean diet staple is actually a thistle, in the same plant family as milk thistle, and provides complementary liver health benefits. Artichokes are loaded with beneficial nutrients, and it ranks among the top vegetable sources of antioxidants.
Artichoke extract helps activate the liver to promote healthy digestion and cleansing while reinforcing antioxidant activity. Research suggests it may help protect the liver and promote healthy tissue growth while boosting bile production, which encourages toxin removal. Studies show it may also help support blood lipid levels already within the normal range and help your body process blood lipids more efficiently.5
Broccoli Extract for Liver-Supporting Phytonutrients
Broccoli extract contains a high amount of glucoraphanin, a beneficial compound with many health applications and potent cellular-defending power. In the liver, broccoli extract enhances the liver’s detoxification capacity, boosts detox enzymes in the liver and acts as an antioxidant for the entire body.6
Pure Liver & Detox: All-in-One Liver Support
Swanson Pure Liver & Detox combines the power of all three of these science-backed supporters of liver health in a single formula featuring the highest quality ingredients. Our team of scientists and nutritional experts carefully selected a potent milk thistle extract standardized to 80% silymarin, a patented form of broccoli extract from TrueBroc® standardized to 13% glucoraphanin, plus a high quality artichoke extract to craft this unique, 3-in-1 herbal supplement and bring you well-rounded liver and detox support you can count on.
Like every Swanson Pure Science Herbals formula, Pure Liver was developed using the latest scientific evidence as our guide. Pure Liver features clinically studied herbal ingredients at scientifically evaluated doses to ensure safety and efficacy. And, like all Swanson Pure Science Herbals supplements, Pure Liver has no hidden ingredients or mysterious proprietary blends.
Learn about more of our Pure Science Herbals products in the articles Science-Backed Herbs for Energy, Joints, Heart, Brain, Weight, Blood Sugar & Digestion and The Best Vitality-Boosting Herbs for Women .
About Lindsey Toth, MS, RD
Registered Dietitian, Swanson Health Products
Lindsey is a nationally-recognized registered dietitian and nutritionist with a soft spot for ice cream. She empowers people to take charge of their health by finding the balance between the pleasure and nourishment in food.
Her philosophy is that you should take care of your body because it’s the only permanent home you have. It’s what inspired her to pursue a career in nutrition and, ultimately, led her to Swanson Health.
Sources:
1 Liver. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/liver
2 What Does the Liver Do, and How Do I Keep Mine Healthy? The University of Michigan Health. https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/what-does-the-liver-do
3 7 Science-Based Benefits of Milk Thistle. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/milk-thistle-benefits
4 10 Natural Ways to Increase Your Glutathione Levels. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-increase-glutathione
5 Top 8 Health Benefits of Artichokes and Artichoke Extract. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/artichoke-benefits#section3
6 Broccoli Boosts Liver Detox Enzymes. NutritionFacts, Michael Greger M.D. FACLM https://nutritionfacts.org/2013/07/18/broccoli-boosts-liver-detox-enzymes/
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
