8 Best Supplements for Liver Function

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Your liver is one of the most important organs in your body.

It is responsible for a variety of tasks, including filtering toxins from your blood and producing bile to help digest food.

If your liver isn’t functioning properly, it can cause a number of health problems.

That’s why it’s important to make sure that you’re taking care of your liver by eating healthy foods and using supplements if necessary.

In this article, we will discuss the best liver health supplements and how they can help improve your health!

If you want more helpful info on supplements – including risks and general FDA guidelines – please see our “Supplements and Vitamins – Ultimate Beginner’s Guide”.

How We Rank and Review – 8 Criteria

1 – Price: What’s the price of the supplement? What’s the cost per serving?

  • At Eating Enlightenment we value quality over price. However, all else being equal, then price comes into consideration. 

2 – Reviews: How many reviews for each product? What’s the average rating? How many third party reviews?

  • We strongly believe in third party reviews. Many supplement companies list positive reviews on their website, but third party reviews include negative comments. We always go with third party reviews.

3 – Reputation: How reputable is the brand behind the supplement? How long has the brand been around? What’s their mission? 

  • We believe that a company’s intention is highly important and should be one of your top purchasing decision factors.

4 – Taste / Absorption = What’s the taste? How quickly does your body absorb the supplement? Do reviews mention any negative side effects like an upset stomach?

5 – Perceived Therapeutic Effect = What beneficial effects or feelings does this supplement promote?

6 – Food Allergens = Does the company provide allergen info?

7 – Science / Certifications: Does the company list transparent scientific studies on their website? Do third party certifications test the company’s supplement for quality control? How many certifications does the company have?

8 – Pros/Cons: What are the pros and cons of each supplement? How is the supplement unique? For what situations is this supplement best?

1 – Best Overall – Now

  • Price = $16.95
  • # of Servings = 30
  • Price per Serving = $0.56
  • Product Reviews = 4.8/5 with 8 verified reviews
  • Taste / Absorption = 3 vegetarian capsules 
  • Labeled Effect = promotes optimal liver health
  • Food Allergens = very safe
  • Pro’s = variety of ingredients with decent clinical research
  • Con’s =

About “Liver Refresh”:

Liver Refresh is a combination of milk thistle extract, amino acids, artichoke extract, and a herb-enzyme designed to support liver health.

This supplement contains a variety of ingredients including many listed in other liver supplements. For example, artichoke extract, various amino acids and milk thistle extract are all in other liver health supplements.

The diversity of ingredients makes this supplement a good option to try.

Made by “Now”:

About Now Foods: Family owned since 1968. One of the most popular supplement brands, with many more third party reviews. According to ReviewMeta.com, Now Foods has an average adjusted rating of 4.2/5 from 175,757 verified reviews.

  • Start = 1968
  • Revenue = $650 million
  • Employees = 1600
  • Mission = provide value in products and services that empower people to lead healthier lives
  • Third Party Certifications = USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Gluten Free, GMP
  • Third Party Reviews = 4.2/5 from 175,757 verified reviews

2 – Best Price – Vitacost

  • Price = $9.79
  • # of Servings = 50
  • Price per Serving = $0.19
  • Product Reviews = 4.7/5 with 200 verified reviews
  • Taste / Absorption = 2 capsules daily with food
  • Labeled Effect = promotes healthy liver function
  • Food Allergens = very safe
  • Pro’s = highest dosage of milk thistle extract and low price
  • Con’s = only one ingredient

About “Synergy Milk Thistle Extract”:

This supplement contains 600 mg of milk thistle extract per serving, which is the highest per serving from our research.

There is decent science supporting the use of milk thistle for liver disease too. For example, over 16 studies looked at milk thistle extract for healthy liver function.

The studies note that, in general, milk thistle helps protect liver health from problems such as chronic liver disease and fatty liver disease.

It appears that milk thistle helps support a healthy liver by detoxifying liver cells.

Between science and being a natural ingredient, it’s hard to go wrong with milk thistle. No wonder so many of these liver supplements listed here contain milk thistle!

Made by “Synergy (A Vitacost Brand)”:

About Vitacost: Founded in 1994 in Florida, the company was bought by Kroger in 2014 for 280 million after being one of the US’s 500 fastest growing privately held businesses for five consecutive years. ResellerRatings.com compiles 97,435 reviews of Vitacost with average rating of 4.47/5.

  • Start = 1994
  • Revenue = $383 million
  • Employees = 432
  • Mission = dedicated to providing the highest quality health and wellness essentials at the best prices
  • Third Party Certifications = cGMP
  • Third Party Reviews = 4.47/5 average review score from 97,435 reviews.

3 – Best Natural Ingredients – Nature’s Craft

  • Price = $22.77
  • # of Servings = 30
  • Price per Serving = $.75
  • Product Reviews = 4.5/5 with 20,159 verified reviews
  • Taste / Absorption = 2 veggie capsules once per day before meals with water
  • Labeled Effect = promote strong functioning liver
  • Food Allergens = very safe
  • Pro’s = lots of great natural ingredients for liver health, including milk thistle and artichoke
  • Con’s =

About “Liver Cleanse Detox & Repair Fatty Liver”:

This supplement contains a bunch of natural extracts like artichoke leaf extract and, of course, milk thistle extract.

Instead of adding amino acids, this supplement sticks with more plant-based extracts like chicory root and dandelion root.

If you are looking for a great liver health supplement, from a trusted brand, that’s highly popular, this is a good one to try.

Made by “Nature’s Craft”:

About Nature’s Craft: According to ReviewMeta.com, Nature Craft’s adjusted average review is 4.3/5 from 15,033 verified reviews.

  • Start = 2013
  • Revenue = less than $5 million
  • Employees = less than 25
  • Mission = improve your health, improve your life; naturally
  • Third Party Certifications = GMP
  • Third Party Reviews = adjusted average review is 4.3/5 from 15,033 verified reviews

4 – Best for Urinary Tract – Superior Labs

  • Price = $22.95
  • # of Servings = 120
  • Price per Serving = $0.19
  • Product Reviews = 4.8/5 with 486 verified reviews
  • Taste / Absorption = 1 vegetarian capsule 2-3 times per day
  • Labeled Effect = help maintain a healthy urinary tract
  • Food Allergens = very safe
  • Pro’s = may help with urinary tract infections and some limited research for liver health
  • Con’s = only one ingredient

About “D-Mannose”:

D-Mannose is a sugar that is found in cranberries, pineapples, and some other fruits.

It is thought to help with urinary tract infections by preventing bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder.

However, there is limited research on whether D-Mannose can also help improve liver function and protect the liver from liver disease.

This liver supplement however, only contains D-Mannose, so be sure you’ve done your research on this active ingredient before purchasing.

You may want a quick blood test for overall health to see what vitamins and minerals would be best for your specific situation.

Made by “Superior Labs”:

About Superior Labs: Began in 2007, geared for athletes, and has FDA, GMP certification. Mission statement emphasizes purity, testing, and quality. According to ReviewMeta.com, Superior Labs has an average adjusted rating of 4.3/5 with 3902 verified reviews.

  • Start = 2007
  • Revenue = $6 million
  • Employees = less than 25
  • Mission = purity, testing, and quality
  • Third Party Certifications = NSF, GMP
  • Third Party Reviews = average adjusted rating of 4.3/5 with 3902 reviews

5 – Best Pure Milk Thistle – PureFormulas

  • Price = $37.10
  • # of Servings = 120
  • Price per Serving = $0.31
  • Product Reviews = 4.8/5 with 53 verified reviews
  • Taste / Absorption = 1 vegetarian capsule, 1-4 times per day in between meals
  • Labeled Effect = promotes healthy liver function by combating free radical damage
  • Food Allergens = very safe
  • Pro’s = high quality milk thistle extract
  • Con’s = only contains milk thistle extract

About “Silymarin”:

This supplement contains 250 mg per serving amount of milk thistle extract.

However, this liver supplement only contains milk thistle extract so be sure to know that this ingredient is what you want.

If you aren’t sure, best to consult your doctor or do more research.

Don’t forget about a healthy diet too. No amount of supplementation can overcome a poor diet and lots of alcohol.

Made By “Pure Encapsulations”:

About Pure Encapsulations: Pure Encapsulations began in 2004. According to ReviewMeta.com, Pure Encapsulations has a 4.5/5 average rating from 12,280 reviews. Pure Encapsulations lists over 50 clinical studies going back to 2006 on their website.

  • Start = 2004
  • Revenue = $35 million
  • Employees = 170
  • Mission = it’s what’s inside that counts
  • Third Party Certifications = Egg Free, Gluten Free, GMO Free, GMP, Certification Made in the USA, Peanut Free, Wheat Free, Hypoallergenic, NSF
  • Third Party Reviews = 4.3/5 with 7,100 reviews

6 – Best for TMG – Bulk Supplements

  • Price = $13.96
  • # of Servings = 50
  • Price per Serving = $0.28
  • Product Reviews = 4.8/5 with 5449 verified reviews
  • Taste / Absorption = half teaspoon per serving, 1-2 times per day
  • Labeled Effect = may also help support a healthy liver and contribute to a healthy heart
  • Food Allergens = very safe
  • Pro’s = one ingredient with some clinical research
  • Con’s = ingredient is general purpose that can help but doesn’t specifically target liver; if you are taking high doses daily then side effects are rare but more common than usual

About “Betaine Anhydrous (TMG)”:

There is some limited research to TMG showing it can help protect liver cells and contribute to liver function and liver health.

However, this research is not as strong as the research on milk thistle.

Before ordering please make sure you are looking for a TMG specific supplement, otherwise try a more general option.

Made by “Bulk Supplements”:

About Bulk Supplements: Bulk Supplements started in 2011 and is based in Nevada. It’s main manufacturing facility is FDA registered. They keep costs low by producing one metric ton for each supplement, which is more than normal, and by using plain packaging. According to ReviewMeta.com, Bulk Supplement’s average adjusted rating is 4.4/5 from 39,370 verified reviews.

  • Start = 2011
  • Revenue = $10 million
  • Employees = 50
  • Mission
  • Third Party Certifications = NSF, cGMP
  • Third Party Reviews = 4.4/5 from 39,370 reviews

7 – Most Easily Absorbable Milk Thistle – Life Extension

  • Price = $33.00
  • # of Servings = 60
  • Price per Serving = $0.55
  • Product Reviews = 4.8/5 with 141 verified reviews
  • Taste / Absorption = 2 softgels
  • Labeled Effect = deliver full-spectrum support for liver health
  • Food Allergens = very safe
  • Pro’s = a variety of ingredients, including milk thistle extract
  • Con’s =

About “Advanced Milk Thistle”:

This option has a handful of ingredients and is more of a general supplement for liver health, rather than a supplement with one ingredient.

It has silybin combined with phosphatidylcholine, which helps the absorption of milk thistle.

Made by “Life Extension”:

life extension

About Life Extension: Life Extension began in 1980 and is still going 40 years later. In 2021 ConsumerLab.com voted Life Extension as #1 Rated Catalog/Internet Merchant. According to ReviewMeta.com, Life Extension’s average adjusted rating of 4.1/5 from 24, 224 verified reviews. 

  • Start = 1980
  • Revenue = $168 million
  • Employees = 500
  • Mission = Achieve your goals with the best nutritional products that science can offer
  • Third Party Certifications = GMP, Non-GMO
  • Third Party Reviews = average adjusted rating of 4.1/5 from 24, 224 reviews

Conclusion

Your liver is one of the most important organs in your body.

It helps your body digest food, store energy and remove toxins.

Supplements can help your liver health through liver detoxification, protecting healthy liver cells, and giving overall liver support.

We hope this article has helped you find some good supplements to try!

But please keep in mind it’s important to do your own research before purchasing any product.  There are many other great supplements out there as well.

If you have any questions or feedback about this blog post about the best supplements for liver function, please let us know in the comments below!

Affiliate Disclosure: ​​Some of the links above are affiliate links, meaning that if you decide to purchase a product after clicking one, we may earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. 

Medical Disclaimer: This information should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before taking any supplements.

About the Author

Jared Levenson is a former binge eating wrestler turned Zen Buddhist Monk, Internal Family Systems counselor and nutrition wellness coach. He's helped hundreds of people through universal meal principles and internal family systems to make peace with food, stop binge eating, and find true health and wholeness.

@jared_levenson

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