1. Milk thistle
Milk thistle is a popular supplement that has been used by traditional herbal medicine practitioners to provide liver support for hundreds of years. It contains silibinin and silymarin, which both have powerful and antioxidant properties. It has been shown to increase the production of glutathione, one of the major antioxidants made in the body. Today, it is one of the most popular supplements used to foster healthy liver function.
2. Vitamin B
Vitamin B is actually a group of 8 vitamins essential for numerous metabolic processes. Most of the B vitamins cannot be stored in the body and must therefore be consumed in a well-balanced diet that includes foods such as leafy greens, meat, poultry, whole grains, chickpeas, kidney beans, vegetables, and fruits.
In liver health, B vitamins are needed for the liver’s detoxification processes. Methylation, a process required for liver detoxification as well as a host of other bodily functions, requires vitamins B12, B6, and folate. Vitamin B6, or pyridoxal-5-phosphate, is required for glutathione production.
Vitamin B12 can only be found in foods from animal sources, so a vegan diet will be insufficient without foods fortified with vitamin B12, such as some unsweetened plant milks, soy products, breakfast cereals, as well as B12 supplementation. Also, as people age, their bodies do not absorb B12 as efficiently as they once did. Signs of B12 deficiency include fatigue, headaches, cognitive impairment, and swelling of the tongue.
To ensure adequate intake of B vitamins, you can consider taking a vitamin B-Complex supplement.