Best Vitamins For Liver Health

Discover the transformative power of the best vitamins for liver health: B, C, D, dandelion, zinc. Explore trusted supplements to optimize liver function and embrace vitality.

The liver is an essential organ in the human body that plays various important roles in our health and well-being, including supporting our metabolism, immune response, digestion, detoxification, and vitamin storage. However, like any organ, the liver is susceptible to several health conditions such as hepatitis, fatty liver, and cirrhosis. (Source)

Your diet and lifestyle habits play a role in the prevention or management of these different conditions and the overall health of this vital organ. Below are some of the best vitamins for liver health.

Best Vitamins For Your Liver

Choosing a balanced diet is not always easy and despite our best efforts, most of us still need to improve in certain areas.

But if you are suffering from liver disease or are currently suffering from a liver condition vitamin deficiencies can be common and can exacerbate these health issues. Below are important vitamins for liver health and their role in liver function.

Vitamin B

B vitamins play various roles in the body including energy metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and acting as cofactors for many important enzymes in the body including those involved in DNA and RNA synthesis. (Source) 

B vitamins can be found in a variety of sources but are particularly rich in fortified foods, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.

B vitamins can be depleted in certain liver conditions, especially alcoholic liver disease. Alcohol can negatively affect the absorption, metabolism, and storage of these vitamins, specifically folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6, which can lead to malnutrition and poor health outcomes. This is estimated to occur in nearly two-thirds of those suffering from alcoholic liver disease. (Source)(Source)

Additionally, liver disease can impact the storage of vitamin B12, leading to a potentially severe deficiency that can cause alterations in metabolic function. (Source)

Studies have found that supplementing B vitamins may help improve liver conditions. One animal study found that B12 and folate helped to reduce liver inflammation and scarring from non-alcoholic liver disease. In fact, B vitamins are commonly encouraged in those suffering from these health complications. (Source)

Another study found that folate, choline, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2 are important liver vitamins that may help protect against fatty liver in postmenopausal women, who are at an increased risk. Unlike other vitamins, B vitamins are water-soluble, so there is no risk of vitamin toxicity if supplements are used. (Source)

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble vitamin and valuable antioxidant that protects our cells against damaging free radicals. Fruits and vegetables are the best food sources for vitamin C, including citrus fruits, leafy greens, bell peppers, strawberries, and potatoes.

Research has found that low consumption of vitamin C-rich foods may exacerbate liver disease and may even lead to liver damage that is associated with various conditions such as hepatitis and fatty liver. (Source)

One study found that oral vitamin C supplementation helped improve liver health and glucose metabolism in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Like B vitamins, vitamin C is water-soluble and there is no risk for vitamin toxicity with supplementation. It’s recommended that women consume 70mg and men consume 90 mg of vitamin C daily. (Source)(Source) 

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that we can synthesize from direct exposure to sunlight. It is also available in various foods including egg yolks, fatty fish, mushrooms, and liver. Vitamin D plays an important role in immune health, bone health, brain health, and more.

Studies have linked liver disease with vitamin D deficiency. While research on this is ongoing, researchers agree that vitamin D plays an important role in liver health. (Source)

When your liver is damaged, it is unable to adequately metabolize vitamin D. This can lead to a deficiency and potential malnutrition which can further worsen liver disease. It can also fuel inflammation which can make it more challenging for your body to absorb vitamin D. (Source)

Vitamin D also promotes healthy blood flow through your circulatory system by keeping your veins and arteries flexible. This allows for adequate blood to flow through to your other organ systems, such as the liver.

Supplemental vitamin D may help treat patients with this condition however, further research on this is still needed. It remains unclear if low levels of vitamin D directly cause liver disease however, it has been found to worsen the progression of liver disease. Adequate vitamin D intake through food or supplements may help reduce progression and even prevent further complications from liver disease. (Source)(Source)

The recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin D is 600 IU (15 mcg) for adults over the age of 19 years old. Because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, over-supplementation is not recommended and could potentially lead to vitamin toxicity.

If you are unsure if you could benefit from taking a vitamin D supplement, consider reaching out to your healthcare provider to get your vitamin D levels tested. (Source)

Dandelion

Dandelion is a root that is commonly used in herbal medicine. It can be made into tinctures and teas or added to various health and wellness supplements. It is commonly used to help treat gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea or constipation as well as fever, eye problems, diabetes, and liver disease. It is also a common coffee substitute due to its stimulant effects. (Source)

Although dandelion is not a liver vitamin, some preliminary research has suggested that dandelion tea may promote liver health due to its positive effects on the flow of bile and rich phytochemical composition.

Dandelion in foods is considered safe however, more information is still needed on its effects in high doses found in nutrition supplements. Supplemental dandelion is generally considered safe for most healthy adults but may interact with certain medications or cause allergic reactions in some. (Source) 

If you are interested in trying dandelion to benefit your liver health, be sure to consult your healthcare provider before adding a supplement to your routine, or consider adding it in the form of food, such as in tea or using the leaves in a salad.

Zinc

Zinc is a crucial mineral for maintaining adequate liver function and those who suffer from liver disease tend to have lower levels of zinc. These levels continue to decline as the condition worsens.

Supplemental zinc may help to protect the liver against disease progression and other liver conditions, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, a form of liver cancer associated with chronic hepatitis and alcoholic fatty liver disease. (Source) 

The recommended dose for zinc in the treatment of liver disease is typically 50 mg of elemental zinc. This is often recommended to be taken during meals to avoid nausea. (Source)

How To Get All Your Vitamins For a Healthy Liver

While the vitamins and other nutrients mentioned above play particularly important roles in maintaining the health and function of our liver, adequate intake of all the essential nutrients is most beneficial.

Most of us aren’t able to get 100% of every nutrient that we need every day, which is why multivitamins and other nutrition supplements were created. For those looking for vitamins for liver health, be sure to choose from trusted brands that offer third-party testing for quality and purity.

Your liver is responsible for removing toxins from your body so it’s essential to find supplements that only provide what you need and not the other fluff. You also want to find a supplement brand that provides full transparency of its ingredients, such as Human Tonik. This way you can feel confident that you know exactly what you are putting into your body.

Our body requires us to replenish these important vitamins and minerals daily. Human Tonik Supergreen Tonik provides 100% or more of the %DV for vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and zinc along with dandelion leaf extract to provide optimal liver support in a once-daily convenient powder.

Whichever route you choose to support your liver health, be sure to include a good source of the vitamins and minerals mentioned above. This can make a difference in the health and wellbeing of your liver and even improve or prevent certain liver-related conditions.