What Are the Best Supplements for Liver Detox? We Review 9 Popular Liver Supplements

The liver does a lot to keep you healthy. It converts food into energy, regulates blood sugar, and detoxifies the blood. But the liver is also under a lot of stress from our modern lifestyles. And so nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is on the rise in the U.S. In fact, about 1 in 4 adults now have this condition. 

There are a lot of supplements out there that claim to detoxify the liver. But the truth is that a “liver detox” is false advertising. Still, there are many things you can do to protect yourself from liver damage and keep it running smoothly.  

The best ways to keep your liver healthy is with a nutritious diet, regular physical activity, and limiting alcohol intake. But if you have any type of liver inflammation, there’s some research that explores whether supplements can help. 

Here, we’ll review the evidence, so you can make the best decision for you.

Of note, the name for NAFLD has officially been changed to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). In this article, we continue to use the terms “NAFLD” and “fatty liver disease” as most people are more familiar with these terms. 

1. Milk thistle

What is it? Milk thistle is a medicinal plant that has been around for centuries. Its main active compound is silymarin, which is an antioxidant. You’re gonna see the word “antioxidant” a lot in this article. This just means a chemical that protects your cells from damage.

What does the research show? A large review study of people with NAFLD found that milk thistle significantly improved liver enzymes. Liver enzymes  — like AST and ALT — are blood markers of liver inflammation. Another study noted a similar benefit in people with liver cirrhosis, a more advanced type of liver disease.

What are the risks? The available research on milk thistle suggests it’s a relatively safe supplement if you take the recommended dose. There are rare side effects like an upset stomach, headaches, and itching skin. 

How much should you take? Most milk thistle products recommend doses that range between 400 mg and 600 mg per day. But many studies have looked at doses much higher than this and not observed serious side effects. Just be sure to stay below 5 g per day. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• What are the best foods for your liver? Certain fruits, fatty fish, and even coffee are a few examples of foods that can help repair the liver.

• Medications that are bad for your liver: If you’re worried about your liver health, it’s important to know if your medications are increasing your risk for liver damage. 

• Are your liver enzymes elevated? Many different conditions can affect liver function tests. Learn what it means if your results are abnormal.

Is it worth a try? There’s solid evidence that milk thistle can help reduce liver inflammation,  particularly in people with chronic liver disease. So if you’re wondering where to start, this might be the one to try. 

2. Turmeric

What is it? Turmeric is a spice that gives curry its bright yellow-orange color. But it has also been used as medicine for 4,000 years. It contains an active component called curcumin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 

What does the research show? There’s a lot of research in mice that suggests turmeric can protect the liver and lower inflammation. A large review study of humans with NAFLD also showed how curcumin can reverse several different markers of liver damage. In this study, turmeric also helped reduce cholesterol and weight.

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What are the risks? Current studies don’t reveal any serious risks of curcumin in doses up to 8 g per day. But high doses can still cause an upset stomach and headaches. And it may interfere with some medications. 

Lab studies show that turmeric helps to prevent blood clotting by blocking the action of platelets. So it’s important not to take turmeric supplements if you are at higher risk of bleeding, or take medications that prevent blood clotting. This includes aspirin.

How much should you take? Most studies use a dose of turmeric between 500 mg and 2,000 mg per day. Just be sure to check if the supplement is dosing turmeric or curcumin. If it’s using curcumin, the average dose is about 3 mg per kg of body weight per day. And don’t exceed 8 g of curcumin per day.

Is it worth a try? Turmeric has many potential health benefits due to its anti-inflammatory effects. It likely helps your liver, too. But avoid turmeric supplements if you take a medication that increases your risk of bleeding. 

3. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)

What is it? N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a precursor to the essential amino acid cysteine. It’s one of the main treatments for acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose, which is particularly toxic to the liver. It has also been used to treat a variety of lung diseases.

What does the research show? NAC’s ability to protect the liver in Tylenol overdose is well known. It’s less clear if it has a benefit as an everyday supplement for liver health. One small study showed it improved liver inflammation in people with NAFLD. But larger studies are needed to know if it provides any long-term benefits.

What are the risks? Oral NAC supplements can lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In very high doses, NAC is toxic to the body and can have serious health risks. But this is only likely to happen with IV (intravenous) NAC treatments in the hospital.

How much should you take? In the study cited above, participants took 600 mg twice a day. This dose is consistent with the recommended dose on many supplements.

Is it worth a try? Skip this one. NAC is a useful treatment for Tylenol overdose. But there’s no solid evidence it’s a useful everyday supplement for liver health. 

4. Artichoke leaf

What is it? Most people are familiar with artichokes as a food. But you can also find supplements that contain concentrated extract from artichoke leaves. 

What does the research show? Lab research has shown that artichokes contain antioxidants that protect the liver from damage. There are not a lot of human studies that look into their role in liver health. But review studies of the existing trials showed that artichoke supplements significantly reduced liver enzymes — especially in people with increased weight and fatty liver disease.

What are the risks? Anyone with an allergy to artichokes should avoid this supplement. Beyond that, current human studies haven’t observed any serious health risks or side effects.

How much should you take? In human studies, participants take anywhere from 100 mg to 2,700 mg per day. 

Is it worth a try? Artichoke supplements have a good safety profile, and early research suggests they could help lower liver enzymes. But it’s too soon to know if this one is worth it. You could also skip the supplement and incorporate this plant-based food into more of your daily meals.

5. Propolis

What is it? Propolis is made by honey bees. It’s a combination of their saliva and various plant compounds. It creates a glue-like substance to help them build their hives. It also has antimicrobial properties that have been used as medicine in various ways.

What does the research show? A large analysis of several clinical trials suggests that propolis supplements can help with liver health and blood sugar. Researchers looked at a mixed group of healthy people and people with liver disease, kidney disease, and/or diabetes. They noted that propolis supplements led to small improvements in:

• Liver enzymes (AST and ALT)

• Fasting glucose

• Insulin levels

• HbA1c

What are the risks? Propolis can cause allergic reactions. So it’s not safe for people who have an allergy to bees. There’s also a possible risk that it can interfere with blood clotting. So like other supplements on this list, it might not be safe for people who take blood thinners or have increased risk for bleeding.

How much should you take? In the review study cited above, doses ranged from 227 mg to 1,500 mg per day.

Is it worth a try? Propolis may be a little harder to find than the other supplements on this list. But there’s good evidence to suggest that it can help improve both liver enzymes and blood sugar management. So this one may be worth a try. Don’t take propolis if you have a history of allergies to bee products.

6. Probiotics

What is it? Probiotics are friendly bacteria and yeast that work with your body to keep you healthy. They have many well-established health benefits, like improving gut health and boosting the immune system.

What does the research show? An analysis of several studies compared probiotics to placebo in people with fatty liver disease. Researchers noted that probiotics improved one specific marker of liver inflammation (ALT). They also noted it improved insulin levels. This is helpful for people with fatty liver disease, as insulin resistance plays a key role in the progression of the condition.

What are the risks? Probiotics are a safe supplement for most people. And they are unlikely to cause any serious side effects. If you have a health condition that weakens your immune system, check with your healthcare team before you start taking probiotics.

How much should you take? Probiotic supplements are usually dosed in colony-forming units (CFU). Many of them contain about 1 to 10 billion CFU per dose — but some contain much more. So it’s best to follow the dosage instructions on the individual product.

Is it worth a try? We still need more research to know if probiotics have a significant effect on liver health. But there’s plenty of research to show they provide other health benefits. So this one is a good choice. Just use caution if you have a weaker immune system. 

7. Korean ginseng

What is it? Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) is an herb that contains anti-inflammatory compounds called ginsenosides. It’s also considered an adaptogen, which are compounds that help protect your body from the effects of stress. 

What does the research show? There are a large amount of lab and animal studies that suggest Korean ginseng can help lower inflammation associated with liver damage. Early clinical studies in people suggest it may be helpful for chronic liver disease of any kind. And another small clinical trial showed that Korean ginseng lowered liver enzymes in people without liver disease. 

What are the risks? Ginseng is usually well tolerated. A review of ginseng studies didn’t observe any major health concerns. But it’s important to avoid high doses (more than 3 g per day) or long-term use (longer than 6 months). This has been associated with side effects like high blood pressure, anxiousness, and diarrhea.

How much should you take? Studies on Korean ginseng use a pretty wide range of dosages — from 200 mg to 8,000 mg a day. Since higher doses have been associated with serious side effects, it’s best to stick to 200 mg to 400 mg a day.  

Is it worth a try? Ginseng is a relatively safe supplement with a variety of reported health benefits. There aren’t enough human studies to suggest it specifically for liver health. But if  you’re also looking for a supplement to help with stress, this might be a good choice. 

If you decide to give this one a try, note that there are several types of ginseng that have different effects. So make sure you’re getting Korean ginseng specifically.

8. Licorice

What is it? Licorice is actually a family of plants that contain an oil used in licorice candies. That characteristic flavor also contains bioactive components that are best known for their effect on digestive health.

What does the research show? When it comes to the liver, some research indicates that licorice supplements benefit people with chronic liver conditions. A large review of several clinical trials found that it reduced markers of liver inflammation in the blood in people with conditions like hepatitis and fatty liver disease.

What are the risks? Licorice can have serious side effects. It can lead to an upset stomach, low potassium levels, and high blood pressure. It can also affect estrogen and testosterone levels. Very high doses can be even more toxic, and there have been reports of life-threatening muscle breakdown called rhabdomyolysis.

How much should you take? A safe dose of licorice extract isn’t known. Typical dosages range from 200 mg to 800 mg per day. But significant side effects like a drop in potassium level were noted at 800 mg per day. 

Is it worth a try? Licorice may have medicinal benefits, but research on its benefit for the liver is limited. Given the potential risk associated with higher doses, it’s probably best to avoid this one. 

9. Vitamin E

What is it? Vitamin E is an essential vitamin that’s good for your immune system and vision. It’s easy to find in a variety of foods, especially nuts and green vegetables.

What does the research show? A recent study of vitamin E reviewed several clinical trials in people with fatty liver disease. When compared to placebo, vitamin E improved several different markers of liver damage — such as liver enzymes and liver fat. This is consistent with prior, smaller studies showing improvements in liver function and fat metabolism.

What are the risks? Too much vitamin E can interfere with blood clotting. So supplements aren’t safe for people who take blood-thinning medications, or people at increased risk of bleeding. There’s also some evidence that high doses can increase the risk of mortality. 

How much should you take? Adults need 15 mg of vitamin E daily from their diet. But supplements tend to contain more than that. Supplements also often list the dose in IU (international units) instead of mg. In the above study, the increased risk of mortality was seen at a dosage of 400 IU per day. So if you choose to take vitamin E, it’s best to stay below this dosage.

Is it worth a try? There’s evidence that vitamin E may be beneficial for people with fatty liver disease. But high doses come with some risks. So skip this one if you’re simply looking for a supplement for general liver health. If you have fatty liver disease and want to supplement with vitamin E, keep your dosage at less than 400 IU per day.

What supplements are bad for your liver?

Many supplements are harmful to your liver and can lead to life-threatening conditions like sudden liver failure. In fact, about 1 in 5 cases of liver injury in the U.S. is attributed to supplements. And so it’s important to use caution with supplements of any kind. 

Some of the supplements that have been associated with liver damage include:

• Anabolic steroids

• Green tea extract

• Black cohosh

• Ginseng

• Niacin (but only in dosages of over 500 mg a day)

Here are a few additional things to know about supplements that are bad for your liver: 

• In the above list, anabolic steroids were responsible for a majority of liver problems. So this one in particular is high risk.

• Weight-loss supplements also seem to be more dangerous for your liver than others, especially if they contain green tea extract.

• Many cases of liver injury are related to supplements that contain multiple ingredients. So avoid supplements that contain several substances, or aren’t clearly labeled with ingredients and doses. 

• Be cautious with any supplement that contains an extra high dose of its ingredients. Many cases of liver injury are associated with very high doses or long-term use of the supplement.

It’s always a good idea to reach out to a healthcare professional before you start taking a supplement. But it’s especially important if you have any chronic health conditions, or take several other medications. They can help you understand your individual risks and benefits so that you can make the best decision for you.

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Written by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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