Can Certain Supplements Really Improve Liver Health?

Dietary supplements are touted as a way to improve liver health. But the research results about them aren’t straightforward.

Note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not approve supplements for safety or effectiveness. Talk to a healthcare professional about whether a supplement is the right fit for your individual health, as well as about any potential drug interactions or safety concerns.

Discussions around liver health are increasingly prevalent as liver-related conditions rise. According to a 2018 article, at least 25 percent of adults have metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

By 2030, MASLD and obesity are predicted to become major causes of liver-related diseases and deaths.

Therefore, dietary supplements often emerge as potential tools for improving liver health. But the science behind these supplements reveals a complex picture regarding their effectiveness.

The liver acts as a filter for your body, metabolizing everything you ingest or receive intravenously and excreting the toxins, usually in the form of urine or stool. Despite the liver’s natural detoxification capabilities, the allure of a quick fix has led to the popularity of liver detox supplements.

Experts like Paul Kwo, MD, a professor of medicine and the director of hepatology at Stanford University, and Sean Hashmi, MD, a nephrologist and obesity medicine specialist, argue that these detox claims are misleading. “The liver’s job is to detoxify the body,” says Dr. Hashmi. Misguided reliance on supplements like milk thistle or beetroot may lead people to believe these products can protect the liver from poor diet or excessive alcohol consumption.

And while there may be some potential benefits to certain supplements, experts like Hashmi agree that the best way to maintain a healthy liver is with a balanced diet and an active lifestyle.

“It’s fascinating when you think about ‘detoxifying’ the liver because the liver’s job is to detoxify the body,” says Hashmi. “If people have a poor diet or drink a lot of alcohol or take a lot of NSAIDs, they turn to things like milk thistle or beetroot and think that’s going to somehow protect the liver from any damage.”

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is a natural source of silymarin, a powerful antioxidant. A small 2021 study suggested that milk thistle could be beneficial for treating MASLD. But, as Dr. Kwo points out, “There’s scant evidence that silymarin is truly beneficial to MASLD patients. It’s safe, but it’s not necessarily beneficial.”

Beetroot

A 2023 study tested the effects of beetroot juice on MASLD patients’ liver enzymes and lipid profiles. It found that beetroot juice alone can help improve these numbers slightly, but when combined with the Mediterranean diet, it had a significant positive impact on MASLD patients.

Results of another study published in 2019 also showed that beetroot supplementation could improve clinical symptoms of MASLD, decrease liver enzymes, and improve lipid profiles when also prescribed alongside lifestyle modification and pharmacological treatment.

Hashmi says the diet and lifestyle piece is key here. “When people take supplements they often think they are helping their liver enzymes to calm down, but oftentimes they just give it time and take away the offending agent and the liver heals itself,” says Hashmi.

Vitamin E

An article published in January 2024 found that increasing dietary sources of vitamin E can be beneficial for preventing MASLD. This is again met with caution as both the Mayo Clinic and Kwo warn that prolonged use of vitamin E has been linked to insulin resistance and an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Overall the data is inconclusive. Although numerous supplements demonstrate promising effects, the consensus among doctors and researchers is that a healthy diet, limited alcohol intake, and successful weight loss is the only unequivocally effective strategy for enhancing liver function and helping with diseases.

While there’s no concrete evidence that certain supplements can reduce or reverse liver damage, there’s no denying that the nutrients are good for you.

Vitamin E and silymarin are essential nutrients for the body, according to Kwo. “They are not for detoxing, but they are necessary for the body to function properly,” he says.

Some supplements can complement a liver-friendly lifestyle, but following a balanced diet and other healthy habits is more beneficial for those with chronic liver disease.
Still, supplementation may help to boost your intake of essential vitamins and minerals while your diet plays catch-up.
Approach supplements with caution, and always follow your doctor’s recommendation for treating MASLD.

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Milk Thistle

Beetroot

Vitamin E