Diet Plans Other Diets Detox Vitamins and Nutrients By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Fact checked by Fact checked by Adah Chung on December 26, 2020 linkedin Adah Chung is a fact checker, writer, researcher, and occupational therapist. Learn about our editorial process Adah Chung Updated on December 26, 2020 Print Wally Eberhart/Photolibrary/Getty Images In alternative medicine, certain nutrients are considered important for liver detoxification. In addition, increasing bile flow is considered an important part of detoxification, since bile carries stored fat-soluble toxins away from the liver to be excreted in the stools. According to some alternative medicine practitioners, signs of poor bile flow may include constipation aggravated by fiber supplements, flatulence, dry skin and hair, indigestion one to two hours after eating, indigestion after fatty foods and small, hard stools. Vitamins and Nutrients for Liver Support So far, scientific support for the claim that nutritional supplements and herbs can improve liver function is lacking. Choline and Methionine Known as lipotropic factors, the supplements choline and methionine are sometimes recommended by alternative medicine practitioners to regulate fat metabolism and increase bile flow. Vitamin C A water-soluble vitamin, vitamin C is an antioxidant that is said to help with detoxification and lessen a headache, nausea, and other side effects of detoxification. Milk Thistle In herbal medicine, milk thistle has been used as a folk remedy for liver health. It is said to be an antioxidant, assist in liver cell regeneration, and protect cells from exposure to chemical and industrial pollutants or excess alcohol or fat consumption. Artichokes Artichokes contain plant compounds known as caffeoylquinic acids, which are said to increase bile flow and help digest fat. Beets Beets contain betaine, which is said to promote the regeneration of liver cells and the flow of bile. It is also said to promote fat metabolism. Broccoli Broccoli and other members of the brassica family (cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, kohlrabi) are thought to support the liver's detoxification enzymes. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Fresh fruits and vegetables provide vitamin C. Protein Protein (amino acids) is required by the liver for detoxification. Beans, legumes, nuts, seeds are just some examples. Some people may choose to eat fish in moderation. Onions and Garlic Onions and garlic contain sulfur-containing compounds, which are involved in sulfation, the detoxication pathway for environmental chemicals, certain drugs, and food additives. Dandelion Root In herbal medicine, dandelion root was used as a remedy to increases the flow of bile. Herbalists sometimes recommend it in tea form. Caveats Supplements haven't been tested for safety and due to the fact that dietary supplements are largely unregulated, the content of some products may differ from what is specified on the product label. Adverse effects are poorly understood because they often go unreported. Also, keep in mind that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established. You should always discuss the appropriateness and possible adverse effects with your primary care provider before trying a supplement. Using Supplements for Liver Health Due to the lack of supporting research, it's too soon to recommend supplements to improve liver health. If you're considering the use of supplements, talk with your doctor first. Keep in mind that alternative medicine should not be used as a substitute for standard care. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Looking to lose weight? Our nutrition guide can help you get on the right track. Sign up and get yours! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Allen J, Montalto M, Lovejoy J, Weber W. Detoxification in naturopathic medicine: A survey. 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