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The liver is the second largest organ in your body, next to the skin, and weighs three pounds. It's a hard-working hub with numerous jobs, such as metabolizing and digesting nutrients, storing vitamins, making hormones, managing cholesterol, processing medications and alcohol, filtering chemicals, removing toxins, and more. Keeping the liver healthy can mean more energy, sharper focus, better blood sugar balance, easier digestion, and a better quality of life.
Monitoring your drinking habits isn't the only way to care for your liver health. Exercising regularly, eating healthy cleansing foods, and routine doctor's visits are good ways to keep your liver in check. Some may opt for other methods of improving liver health by using liver supplements.
The Best Liver Supplements - Our Top Picks
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Best Cleansing Liver Supplement: KOS Spirulina Powder
- Best Budget Liver Supplement: KOS Apple Cider Vinegar
- Best Curcumin Liver Supplement: Transparent Labs Turmeric Curcumin C3 Complex
- Best Natural Liver Supplement: Ritual Synbiotic+
- Best Mushroom Blend Liver Supplement: Transparent Labs Shroom Stack
- Best Milk Thistle Supplement for Liver: Jacked Factory Defend XT
- Best Powder Liver Supplement: Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens
- Best Desiccated Liver Supplement: Vital Proteins Desiccated Liver
If you're interested in adding liver health supplements to your arsenal, the ACTIVE Reviews Team has curated a list of the nine best liver supplements. We make sure you have all the information you need by reviewing supplement dosage, form, ingredients, price, and certifications.
Though this review covers liver supplements that may support liver health, like medications, supplements can cause harm to the liver.(1) Always consult with your medical provider before starting a new supplement.
Why Trust Us?
The health and safety of ACTIVE's readers are of the utmost importance to us. To ensure your well-being when consuming nutritional supplements, the ACTIVE.com editorial team prioritizes products that are independently tested by a third party. We've also consulted with a team of nutritionists and dieticians to ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. This helps us create the most accurate, authentic review content for our readers.
Best Cleansing Liver Supplement - KOS Organic Spirulina Powder
SPECS
- Price: $
- Dosage: 1 scoop (3.5g)
- Type: Powder
- Ingredients: Organic spirulina powder
- Certifications: USDA-organic, non-GMO
Spirulina is a blue-green algae rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This nutrient-dense—and plant protein-heavy—superfood can aid in detoxification by helping to alleviate heavy-metal toxicity in the body.(5) Spirulina has also been recommended as a safe, therapeutic supplement for helping bolster liver health or for those suffering from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.(6) It can also help support digestion, boost energy levels, and support overall immune health. KOS Organic Spirulina Powder is our pick because it provides 100% natural spirulina in an easy-to-take powdered dosage that can mix well into your beverage of choice or even baked goods. There is also a subscribe-and-save option for greater savings.
As with most cleansing properties, you'll want to monitor your intake because high amounts of spirulina can have an adverse effect on your system. Follow the recommended dosage of no more than 8 grams of spirulina per day or consult with your doctor before starting a cleanse.
What We Like
- Contains 100% natural spirulina
- USDA-organic and non-GMO
- Erythritol free
- Small dosage that mixes well with drinks and baked good
- Budget-friendly
What We Don't Like
- May smell and taste "fishy"
- Some reviewers experienced GI issues
Best Budget Liver Supplement - KOS Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies
SPECS
- Price: $
- Dosage: 1 tablet a day
- Type: Gummy
- Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar powder, organic beetroot extract, organic pomegranate fruit extract, chicory root extract
- Certifications: GMP-certified
If you're looking for a dynamic liver health supplement at a low price point, KOS may have the product for you. KOS Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies are an easy and inexpensive way to provide a natural boost of liver detoxification and gut health daily from apple cider vinegar. There have been studies that show positive results in favor of fruit-based vinegars helping to reduce damage to the liver.(7) Additionally, this gummy is made without gluten, soy, or dairy, which is very helpful for those with dietary restrictions or allergies. Why wear out your body with juice fasts and cleanses when you can opt for a simple chewable gummy that may help the liver work optimally?
What We Like
- Easy-to-take gummy
- Convenient individual packaging
- Erythritol-free
- 1 gummy serving size
- Subscribe-and-save option
What We Don't Like
- Not all reviewers enjoy the flavor
- Some users have reported experiencing nausea
BUY: KOS Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies
Best Curcumin Liver Supplement - Transparent Labs Turmeric Curcumin C3 Complex
SPECS
- Price: $
- Dosage: 1 capsule, twice daily
- Type: Capsules
- Ingredients: Curcumin C3 complex, BioPerine® black pepper extract
- Certifications: Clinically-dosed, natural ingredients, third-party tested
Transparent Labs is a brand that we recommend because of their excellent track record for producing quality supplements with natural ingredients. Transparent Labs Turmeric Curcumin C3 Complex contains two active ingredients, Curcumin C3® Complex, and BioPerine® black pepper fruit extract. The Curcumin C3® Complex is extracted from the dried rhizomes of Curcuma longa—or turmeric—and contains curcuminoids, which have been shown to help manage oxidative and inflammatory conditions.(2) This curcumin complex is also formulated to be better absorbed and is aided by the BioPerine® to boost intestinal uptake and reduce liver metabolism of bioactive curcuminoids. Additionally, curcumin has been shown to help treat and protect against liver disease.(3)
We also like that this product is third-party tested for quality and purity and is clinically dosed. With Transparent Labs Turmeric Curcumin C3 Complex, you aren't just helping support healthy liver function; you're also boosting your joint health, metabolism, immune system, and cardiovascular function with a twice-daily dosage.
What We Like
- Formulated for better absorption
- 100% natural ingredients
- Third-party tested
- Vegan
- Budget-friendly
What We Don't Like
- May have a slight spicy aftertaste
- Can be hard to remember the twice daily dose
BUY: Transparent Labs Turmeric
Best Natural Liver Supplement - Ritual Synbiotic+
SPECS
- Price: $$
- Dosage: 1 capsule
- Type: Capsules
- Ingredients: Probiotic blend, PreForPro®, Tributyrin
- Certifications: Non-GMO, third-party tested
Ritual Synbiotic+ is an impressive blend of traceable prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to help bolster overall gut health and aid healthy liver function. Probiotics have been shown to have positive effects on liver health by strengthening the intestinal wall and, therefore, potentially reducing oxidative and inflammatory liver damage, particularly in cases of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.(4) This mint-infused once-daily capsule is gluten and major allergen-free and delayed-release, meaning it will bypass the stomach and travel directly to the colon for optimal probiotic growth.
Due to the quality of Ritual's natural ingredients, this product is a little on the spendier side, and you will have to subscribe to purchase. That said, you can cancel your subscription at any time, and there is a money-back guarantee.
What We Like
- 3-in-1 prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic formula
- non-GMO and third-party tested
- Vegan and gluten-free
- Money-back guarantee
- Free shipping
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Subscription is required
Best Mushroom Blend Liver Supplement - Transparent Labs Shroom Stack
SPECS
- Price: $
- Dosage: 3 capsules daily
- Type: Capsules
- Ingredients: Organic lion's mane, CordycepsPrime™, organic reishi
- Certifications: Third-party tested, manufactured in FDA GMP-compliant facility, UDAF GMP-certification
Mushroom enthusiasts have been touting the effects of these fungi for health purposes for thousands of years. So, it should come as no surprise that mushrooms—such as reishi—are also suggested for optimal liver health and protection against damage.(8) Transparent Labs Shroom Stack combines three organic mushroom varieties—reishi, lion's mane, and cordyceps—for a potent blend of immune, gastrointestinal, cognitive, and metabolic health benefits. This supplement has a three-capsule serving size and may be too much of an ask if you are pill-adverse. Otherwise, this is a great liver supplement at an excellent price.
What We Like
- Blend of organic lion's man, Cordyceps, and reishi mushrooms
- Third-party tested
- Vegan
- No artificial sweeteners, colorings, or preservatives
What We Don't Like
- 3 daily capsules can be a lot
- Free shipping starts at $149
BUY: Transparent Labs Shroom Stack
Best Milk Thistle Supplement for Liver - Jacked Factory Defend XT
SPECS
- Price: $
- Dosage: 2 capsules
- Type: Capsules
- Ingredients: Milk thistle seed powder, reduced glutathione, bergamot orange fruit, BioPerine® black pepper extract
- Certifications: GMP-certified, third-party tested
We chose Jacked Factory Defend XT as the best milk thistle supplement for the liver because it offers a whopping 500 milligrams of milk thistle per two-capsule serving. Milk thistle, or Silybum marianum, is well-researched in the realm of treatment for liver diseases like cirrhosis and hepatitis and helps improve liver health by acting as a toxin blocker.(9) Other benefits of choosing Jacked Factory Defend XT are its research-backed ingredients and GMP certification.
It's also manufactured in the USA. Furthermore, it's vegan and has favorable reviews. Another thing to consider is that the product is proprietary blend-free, meaning you know exactly how much of each ingredient you're getting with each dosage.
What We Like
- Contains 500mg milk thistle
- GMP-certified and researched
- Feature Bergavit® for cholesterol reduction
- Subscribe-and-save option
What We Don't Like
- Offers no choline, a nutrient for liver health
- May not be third-party tested
Best Powder Supplement - Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens
SPECS
- Price: $$
- Dosage:1 scoop (16.17g)
- Type: Powder
- Ingredients: Spirulina, organic chlorella, organic acacia fiber, organic green banana flour, organic Jerusalem artichoke fiber, chicory root
- Certifications: Clinically-dosed, natural ingredients, third-party tested
While many liver supplements come in capsule or tablet form, others, like Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens, allow you to skip the pill swallowing and make a nutrient-rich, prebiotic drink instead. This prebiotic powder is clinically dosed, 100% natural, and features previously mentioned liver health-supporting ingredients like spirulina and fiber-boosting ingredients like chlorella to help lower inflammation and flush out harmful toxins. Depending on your flavor preferences, you can opt for Peach Mango or stick with an unflavored powder that can easily be mixed with juice or blended into a smoothie to help you take it regularly.
What We Like
- 100% natural ingredients, including spirulina
- Clean formula; made without gluten, dairy, other allergens, or GMOs
- Offers protein, iron, and calcium
- Available in Peach mango flavor
- Mixes well
What We Don't Like
- Some find the unflavored version unpleasant
- No money-back guarantee
BUY: Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens
Best Desiccated Liver Supplement - Vital Proteins Beef Liver
SPECS
- Price: $$
- Dosage: 4 capsules
- Type: Capsules
- Ingredients: Freeze-dried beef liver
- Certifications: NSF and GMP Certified
Organ meats are naturally chock-full of nutrition and could be an option if you're looking to enhance your overall health. The liver is a powerhouse of nutrition, and an easy way to ingest it is in supplement form. Vital Proteins Beef Liver is 100% sourced from grass-fed cattle, which naturally has essential nutrients like B vitamins, iron, copper, and choline. In addition, the supplement carries 167% of the daily recommended levels of vitamin A and 363% of the daily recommendations for vitamin B12.
Vitamin A levels that surpass daily recommendations are unsafe if you have liver problems and could lead to vitamin A toxicity, and those with liver disease may already have high amounts of B12 in the blood, so seeking medical advice from a physician is strongly advised before taking this product.(10) Vital Proteins Beef Liver claims it helps enhance energy levels and protein metabolism. The USA-made supplement also promotes healthy nails, hair, and skin for a bonus. Consider the dosage of four capsules daily; that's a lot of pills to swallow daily. Plus, some customers complain of large capsule sizes, making them tough to get down.
Vital Proteins is a reputable brand that covers all bases by manufacturing all its products in an NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) certified and GMP-certified facility where the products undergo testing to meet and comply with standard requirements.
What We Like
- Sourced from grass-fed cattle
- Paleo-friendly
- Capsule form makes it nearly flavorless
- NSF and GMP-certified, third-party tested
- Customers say the product helps increase energy levels
What We Don't Like
- The dosage is large
- Customers say the capsules are large and hard to swallow
- It may offer too much of some vitamins for sensitive groups
What to Look for in a Liver Supplement
Science-Backed Ingredients and Bioavailability
Some herbal ingredients for liver support are more well-studied than others. No one wants to take a supplement that's full of random ingredients. Your liver supplement needs ingredients that science says help to improve liver function. The claims on the front of the bottle can make us want to quickly add to cart, but reading the rest of the product labels before purchasing is crucial. A few brands on our list are transparent about their ingredients and provide research studies on their website. Good brands offer components formulated for your body to absorb them better.
Allergen-Friendly Contents
If you have food allergies or certain restrictions, then you'll want to ensure your product is free of any threat to your health. Many brands will put this on the product label, but sometimes it's not so easy to find. Check the brand's website, and if you're still uncertain, call their customer service line and ask.
The Right Form
When seeking liver supplements, or any supplements, think about what form you'll be more likely to take consistently. Maybe you already drink breakfast or post-workout smoothies daily, therefore a powder supplement may best fit you. Whatever the case, know yourself and what will help you succeed with taking your liver supplement.
Certifications
For safety, it's good to choose a supplement that must adhere to specific guidelines and standards to ensure the product is what it says it is. GMP and NSF certifications are usually on the product label or the product's website. NSF certifications are highly reputable because they offer ongoing testing of supplements in their labs to ensure product purity.
Third-Party Testing
Third-party testing allows supplements to be tested in a different facility to make sure the supplement is a safe product.(11) Most supplements are not third-party tested, therefore consuming them is a potential risk.
How We Rate Supplements
Price/Affordability (scale of $-$$$)
Prices depend on a number of factors, and tend to fluctuate over time, so we've kept our affordability rating scale simple so you can easily see how products compare:
$ = under $1 per serving
$$ = $1-2 per serving
$$$ = over $2 per serving
FAQs About Liver Supplements
How do I make my liver healthy again?
It's always best practice to speak with a medical provider for help improving your liver health. Other steps you can take to improve your liver health include staying up to date with your hepatitis vaccinations, eating a healthy diet, exercising, avoiding sharing needles, avoiding drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and practicing safe sex.
Are liver supplements worth it?
More research is needed to know if liver supplements genuinely live up to their claims to "regenerate" and "restore" the liver. There's no guarantee that a certain supplement will give you what you want. You may not need to invest in supplements to enhance your liver health if you're a healthy individual. Following a healthy lifestyle and seeing your medical provider routinely is worth it to your liver health.
What improves liver function naturally?
Studies show milk thistle, ginseng, licorice, green tea, turmeric, garlic, ginger, danshen, Ginkgo biloba, and astragalus may naturally improve liver function, though the research continues. It's always best to speak with a medical provider for help enhancing your liver function.
Does milk thistle help your liver?
Milk thistle is an alternative therapy used to help liver function in conditions like hepatitis, liver cancer, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and alcoholic fatty liver disease.(12,13,14)
What are signs your liver is struggling?
Signs and symptoms that your liver isn't functioning as it should:
- Weight loss(15)
- Poor appetite
- Fatigue
- Edema
- Ascites(16)
- Muscle wasting
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Yellowing skin and eyes
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References
- Stravitz, R. T., & Lee, W. M. (2019). Acute liver failure. Lancet (London, England), 394(10201), 869–881. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31894-X
- Hewlings, S. J., & Kalman, D. S. (2017). Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 6(10), 92. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods6100092
- Farzaei, M. H., Zobeiri, M., Parvizi, F., El-Senduny, F. F., Marmouzi, I., Coy-Barrera, E., Naseri, R., Nabavi, S. M., Rahimi, R., & Abdollahi, M. (2018). Curcumin in Liver Diseases: A Systematic Review of the Cellular Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress and Clinical Perspective. Nutrients, 10(7), 855. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10070855
- Eslamparast, T., Eghtesad, S., Hekmatdoost, A., & Poustchi, H. (2013). Probiotics and Nonalcoholic Fatty liver Disease. Middle East journal of digestive diseases, 5(3), 129–136.
- Bhattacharya S. (2020). The Role of Spirulina (Arthrospira) in the Mitigation of Heavy-Metal Toxicity: An Appraisal. Journal of environmental pathology, toxicology and oncology : official organ of the International Society for Environmental Toxicology and Cancer, 39(2), 149–157.
- Yousefi, R., Saidpour, A., & Mottaghi, A. (2019). The effects of Spirulina supplementation on metabolic syndrome components, its liver manifestation, and related inflammatory markers: A systematic review. Complementary therapies in medicine, 42, 137-144.
- Bouazza, A., Bitam, A., Amiali, M., Bounihi, A., Yargui, L., & Koceir, E. A. (2016). Effect of fruit vinegars on liver damage and oxidative stress in high-fat-fed rats. Pharmaceutical biology, 54(2), 260–265. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2015.1031910
- Soares, A. A., de Sá-Nakanishi, A. B., Bracht, A., da Costa, S. M., Koehnlein, E. A., de Souza, C. G., & Peralta, R. M. (2013). Hepatoprotective effects of mushrooms. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 18(7), 7609–7630. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules18077609
- Abenavoli, L., Capasso, R., Milic, N., & Capasso, F. (2010). Milk thistle in liver diseases: past, present, future. Phytotherapy Research, 24(10), 1423-1432.
- LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-. Vitamin A. [Updated 2020 Nov 4]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548165/
- Vento, K. A., & Wardenaar, F. C. (2020). Third-Party Testing Nutritional Supplement Knowledge, Attitudes, and Use Among an NCAA I Collegiate Student-Athlete Population. Frontiers in sports and active living, 2, 115. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2020.00115
- National Institutes of Health. (2020). Milk Thistle. NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Retrieved October, 2022, from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/milk-thistle
- Federico, A., Dallio, M., & Loguercio, C. (2017). Silymarin/Silybin and Chronic Liver Disease: A Marriage of Many Years. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 22(2), 191. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22020191
- Gillessen, A., & Schmidt, H. H. (2020). Silymarin as Supportive Treatment in Liver Diseases: A Narrative Review. Advances in therapy, 37(4), 1279–1301. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-020-01251-y
- Sharma A, Nagalli S. Chronic Liver Disease. [Updated 2022 Jul 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554597/
- Lala V, Zubair M, Minter DA. Liver Function Tests. [Updated 2022 Oct 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482489/