The liver is the second-largest organ in the body (your skin is the largest) and is the largest gland. It performs more than five hundred separate functions. Here are a few things your liver does for you:

• Converts fats, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals into more usable forms.
• Makes cell membrane compounds and cholesterol.
• Manufactures the carrier proteins that transport phospholipids throughout the body.
• Produces important blood proteins, including immune factors, blood clotting proteins and the key component of hemoglobin for red blood cells.
• Breaks down excess amino acids to into urea, which is carried to the kidneys and excreted in the urine.
• Stores many vitamins and minerals, including iron and B12.
• Breaks down old red blood cells and recycles their components.

The liver takes care of the poisonous compounds produced through normal biochemical reactions, as well as toxins we ingest, absorb, or breathe in. It filters the blood to remove toxins and excess hormones and then changes the chemical structure of toxins to make them water-soluble so that they can be collected in the bile and excreted in the urine. Many of the most dangerous toxins are fat-soluble, so without the liver’s action they may lodge in your cells and remain there causing a multitude of health problems. An overloaded liver causes low energy and may open the door for hepatitis and other serious illnesses.

What is hepatitis?
 
Hepatitis means damage to the liver, indicated by inflammation in liver tissues. Hepatitis can clear up on its own or may cause liver scarring and reduced function. Hepatitis viruses cause most liver damage but hepatitis can also be due to toxins, other infections or from autoimmune processes. The World Health Organization estimates that 350 million people have chronic hepatitis (Chronic Hepatitis C), the most serious form. The death rate from hepatitis C is greater than that of AIDS. Fortunately, there are natural compounds available that can improve liver health.
 
How can you support the liver naturally?
 
Avoid putting undue stress on your liver. Don’t smoke. Drink little or no alcohol. Avoid caffeine, and do your best to avoid harmful chemicals, especially cleaning solvents and pesticides. Avoid saturated fats, refined sugar, and drink at least 48 ounces of water each day. Consume plenty of vegetables and legumes for their high fibre and nutrient content. Certain foods are particularly helpful because they contain nutrients that produce and activate dozens of enzymes involved in detoxification: garlic, legumes, onions, eggs, and other foods with a high sulphur content; pears, oat bran, apples, and legumes; cabbage-family vegetables, especially broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage; artichokes, beets, carrots, dandelion greens, and many herbs and spices such as turmeric, cinnamon, and licorice. Green foods like wheat grass juice, dehydrated barley grass juice, chlorella, and spirulina are also excellent liver support.

A high-potency, age and gender specific, multiple vitamin and mineral supplement is a must. Choose a formula with optimal levels of vitamins and minerals as well as important phytochemicals that support detoxification. As for other herbal and nutritional support, look for a formula with the following compounds:

Glucuronate - a nutritional substance used by the liver to bind together toxins for elimination. Clinical studies show glucuronate supplementation can improve poor liver function, even in cases of alcohol abuse, acute and chronic hepatitis, exposure to toxic substances, and diabetes.^1,2

Alpha-lipoic acid is a sulphur-containing vitamin-like substance necessary for energy-producing reactions. It is an effective antioxidant³ that can counteract both water-soluble and fat-soluble free radicals.⁴

Silybin Phytosome, a special extract of milk thistle, is better absorbed and more effective than regular milk thistle extract.^5,6

Licorice extract protects the liver from damage, enhances immunity and supports detoxification. Clinical studies in Japan showed excellent results in individuals with both acute and chronic hepatitis.^8,9

Curcumin is the yellow pigment of turmeric (Curcuma longa). It improves liver function and promotes improved clearance of toxic compounds.¹⁰

Panax ginseng helps enhance liver function including regulation of protein production and filtration of the blood.
 
Schizandra extract has antioxidant effects; an anti-stress action, much like ginseng, and an ability to protect the liver from chemical damage.¹¹

References:

1. Miglio F, et al., "Efficacy and safety of oral betaine glucuronate in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis," Arzneim Forsch 2000;8:722-7.
2. Miglio F, et al., "Efficacy of glucuronates versus placebo in chronic hepatitis: A randomized, double-blind study", Advances Therapy 1995;12:299-312.
3. Packer L, et al,. " Molecular aspects of lipoic acid in the prevention of diabetes complications", Nutrition, 2001; 17: 888-95.
4. Berkson BM., "A conservative triple antioxidant approach to the treatment of hepatitis C. Combination of alpha lipoic acid (thioctic acid), silymarin, and selenium: three case histories", Med Klin, 1999; 94 (Suppl 3): 84-9.
5. Schandalik R, et al., "Pharmacokinetics of silybin in bile following administration of silipide and silymarin in cholecystectomy patients", Arzneim Forsch, 1992; 42: 964-968
6. Moscarella S, et al., "Therapeutic and antilipoperoxidant effects of silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex in chronic liver disease: preliminary results", Curr Ther Res, 1993; 53: 98-102
7. Buzzelli G, et al., "A pilot study on the liver protective effect of silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex (IdB1016) in chronic active hepatitis", Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol, 1993; 31: 456-460
8. Arase Y, et al., " The long term efficacy of glycyrrhizin in chronic hepatitis C patients", Cancer, 1997; 79: 1494-1500
9. van Rossum TG, et al., "Glycyrrhizin as a potential treatment for chronic hepatitis C", Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 1998, 12 (3): 199-205
10. Murray MT, Pizzorno JE., "Curcuma longa", In: A Textbook of Natural Medicine. Churchill-Livingstone, London, UK 1999, pp689-94
11. Upton R, "Schisandra berry (Schizandra chinensis): Analytical, quality control, and therapeutic monograph", American Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Therapeutic Compendium. Santa Cruz, CA, 1999, pp.1-25.