Liver Supplements: Milk Thistle, Artichoke, NAC, and Glutathione at a Glance
The liver is one of the largest internal organs in the human body and is located in the upper right abdomen. It plays a role in numerous metabolic processes, including processing nutrients from food, producing bile, and breaking down and transforming various substances, both those produced by the body and those ingested. Given its central role in metabolism, the liver is a frequently discussed topic in the field of nutrition and dietary supplements.
In this category, you'll find dietary supplements that are often marketed for liver and metabolism support. The range includes capsules, drops, powders, and combination products with plant extracts, amino acids, and other ingredients such as milk thistle, artichoke, NAC (N-acetylcysteine), and glutathione.
Dietary supplements are intended to supplement your overall diet and are not a substitute for a balanced, varied diet or medical treatment.
Common ingredients in this category
- Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) A plant whose seeds contain the active ingredient complex silymarin. Milk thistle extract is one of the most commonly used herbal ingredients in liver products.
- Artichoke (Cynara scolymus): a vegetable plant whose leaf extract contains bitter compounds like cynarin, and which is used in dietary supplements to support metabolism.
- NAC (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) An acetylated form of the amino acid cysteine that serves as a precursor for the body's own glutathione synthesis.
- Glutathione: a tripeptide produced naturally in the body from the amino acids glutamine, cysteine, and glycine. It is also available as a dietary supplement, including in its acetylated form (S-acetyl-glutathione).
- Choline: An essential nutrient found, for example, in lecithin and often included in combination preparations.
- Bitter herb blends: Drops and extracts made from a variety of herbs (such as gentian, wormwood, and dandelion) traditionally combined in bitter formulations.
Product forms
Form | Examples |
|---|---|
Capsules | Milk thistle, artichoke, NAC, and glutathione capsules |
Drops | Herbal bitter drops |
Powder | Detox/superfood powder blends |
Sets | Multi-part product routines with capsules, drops, and powders |
What to look out for when buying
- Daily dosage: Information on the number of capsules or drops and the amount of active ingredient per recommended daily dose.
- Extract standardisation: For plant extracts (e.g., milk thistle), the silymarin content is often stated in a standardised form.
- Additives: Information on fillers, capsule materials, and excipients.
- Origin and certification: e.g., organic certification or vegan labelling.
- Manufacturer's recommended intake: This is indicated on the relevant product page and should not be exceeded.
Note: Dietary supplements are not a substitute for a balanced and varied diet or a healthy lifestyle. The recommended daily intake should not be exceeded. Keep products out of the reach of children.