Do Liver Detox Supplements Really Help in Cleansing the Liver?
Abstract
Incidence of liver diseases is constantly rising in India. In 2015, India alone was responsible for 18.3% of the 2 million deaths caused by liver diseases worldwide. In order to bring down this number, one has to be aware of the principles of food and nutrition along with conventional lifestyle choices. An ideal regime will help in preventing liver diseases and those who already are stuck deep in this mess need a little something extra like the science of Ayurveda which can help regenerate the liver as well as curb the side effects on other body parts as well. There are several herbs found in Ayurveda that contain the ability to detoxify and regenerate the liver. This article comprises many such ways that can help manage liver diseases with Various liver detox supplements.
Introduction
Liver is a major metabolic organ of the body with about 1.5 kg weight. It is located in the right upper quadrant of the body just below the rib cage. Liver produces bile for digestion, helps detoxify the body of wastes, metabolises nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates and fats) in the food, produces clotting factors, stores glycogen etc. Unconventional lifestyle and certain chronic diseases can damage this amazing organ. However, it possesses the ability to heal and regenerate itself if supported in the right way.
Causes of Liver Diseases
Food and Lifestyle
- Excessive consumption of food rich in carbohydrates and fats
- Eating nutritionally depleted food
- Less or no exercise
- Regular consumption of alcohol
- Excessive anger issues
- Popping pills on a regular basis
Conditions Affecting Liver
- Viral infections like Hepatitis A, B and C
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver
- Iron overload
- Wilson’s disease
- Liver cancer
- Auto-immune conditions like primary cholangitis
Signs & Symptoms for Liver Disease
Listed below is a list of signs & symptoms of liver disease that you might experience when suffering from impaired liver function.
- Weight loss
- Itching
- Pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen
- Buildup of fluid in the stomach
- Swelling in ankles
- Constant fatigue
- Dark coloured urine
How Can We Help the Liver?
In order to address this problem, one needs to make changes in their regimen. Avoid problematic factors and adding healthy ones like good food and liver detox supplements can make a great deal of change in liver diseases.
The following lifestyle changes should be made:
- Avoid ultra-processed foods as well as any food that comes in a packet.
- Homemade fresh foods are your best friend.
- Homemade fried foods are also to be avoided.
- Include a more fibrous diet which is rich in grains like oats, millets etc. rather than eating the monotonous wheat grain diet everyday.
- Drink plenty of water if you do not suffer from the condition of fluid collection in the body.
- Ayurveda asks you to get up before sunrise, have a timely breakfast and dinner before sunset on a regular basis. Eating at the same time everyday helps the body digest food more efficiently.
- Avoiding alcohol and drug use is absolutely necessary & follow diet plan for liver diseases.
- Avoid animal products at least until you are the master of a healthy liver.
The ultimate support is given by liver detox supplements occurring in nature that have the ability to detoxify and improve liver function.
Regular Consumption of any of These Herbs Can Make a Visible Difference in the Symptoms of Liver Disorders
- Punarnava
- Revand Chini
- Kalmegh
- Kiratatikta
- Chitraka
- Haridra
- Ajwain
- Guduchi
- Mulethi
- Parijata
- Bhringraj
- Ardraka
- Maricha
- Karanj
There are Many Miraculous Medicinal Formulations in Ayurveda that Have Shown Jaw-dropping Results in Patients
- Arogyavardhini Vati
- Triphala Churna
- Avipattikar Churna
- Katuki Churna
- Punarnava Mandur
- Jalodarari Ras
- Patola Katu Rohinyadi Kashaya
- Phaltrikadi Kashaya
Why Not Use Contemporary Medicines?
Contemporary medicinal drugs are known to have side-effects. Liver is the major victim of those unwanted effects. There are many drugs associated with inducing liver diseases:
- NSAIDs and analgesics can cause toxic hepatitis
- Anabolic steroids may cause serious liver damage as well as development of tumours and blood filled cysts in the liver
- Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) counteract with the increased activity of renin-angiotensin system in chronic liver diseases. This produces a higher risk of excessive hypotension or acute renal failure
- Anti-seizure medications are one of the most common causes of drug induced liver injury
- Antidepressant drugs like monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO) can damage the liver over time
- Antiarrhythmic medications are known to increase liver functions tests (LFTs)
- Antiviral drugs and antibiotics are also associated with liver damage
Herbal Supplements For Liver Detox
Ayurveda is full of herbs that can help in all kinds of diseases. Planet Ayurveda is a GMP certified company and a platform that complies with all the Ayurvedic norms and provides us with a wide array of herbal remedies and supplements for ayurvedic treatment of liver diseases. There are numerous Supplements for the liver but out of which we are discussing some of them. Herbal remedies for detoxifying and regenerating the liver with liver detox supplements are as follows:
- Yakrit Plihantak Churna
- Liver Detox Formula
- Livo Plan Syrup
- Liver Support Tea
Products Description
1. Yakrit Plihantak Churna
Yakrit Plihantak Churna is an herbal formulation containing eight liver friendly herbs such as Bhumi Amla (Phyllanthus niruri), Katuki (Picrorhiza kurrao), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea) etc. This powder will aid in bringing down elevated liver enzymes and help fight liver infections. Its anti-toxic properties (Vishaghan) will help in drug induced liver damage. Its digestive and appetising properties will rekindle the digestive fire helping in removal of toxins more efficiently.
Dosage: ½ to 1 teaspoon twice a day, after meals with water.
2. Liver Detox Formula
This herbal remedy contains extracts of Katuki (Picrorhiza kurrao), Makoy (Solanum nigrum), Himsra (Capparis spinosa), Kasni (Cichorium intybus), etc. There will rarely be any formulation for liver in Ayurveda that does not have Katuki in it. These herbs create an alkaline environment in your body which improves liver health and gut health. It will help remove fat from the liver. Due to its hepatic-regenerative properties it will work best in chronic liver damage. Its antitumor property may help in liver cancer.
Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice a day with water after meals.
3. Livo Plan Syrup
This drinking formulation consists of herbs like Shyonak (Oroxylum indicum), Rohitaka (Tecomella undulata), Trayamana (Gentiana kurroo), Patol (Trichosanthes dioica), Dugdhapheni (Taraxacum officinale) etc. The analgesic and Vata paciying herbs will help reduce pain experienced by the patient. It will help reduce oedema in ankles and other body parts. It will help remove the fluid collected in the abdomen (Ascites, a common complication of liver damage).
Dosage: 1-2 teaspoons twice a day with equal water after meals.
4. Liver Support Tea
This tea pack comprises of detoxifying and hepatoprotective herbs like Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Pomegranate Peel Powder (Punica granatum) etc. It helps to reduce jaundice. It has giloy as its major ingredient which is the best medicine for detoxing the liver. It has anti-inflammatory properties. It helps lower cholesterol levels in the body. Its antioxidant properties will reduce oxidative stress on the liver.
Dosage: 1 cup of tea once or twice a day.
Conclusion
Ayurveda believes that liver diseases are due to imbalance of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) which leads to accumulation of toxins in the liver and other body parts. These toxins cause liver diseases and damage. Where contemporary medicine fails to reach out, ayurvedic herbs possess specific properties that purify and pacify these doshas thus supporting liver function. Planet Ayurveda’s herbal medicines and supplements can help your liver be free of diseases and reach optimum health.
