Fatty liver disease is a condition in which fat builds up in your liver. The liver helps you digest food, create energy, and remove unwanted substances from the body. Fatty liver disease can lead to serious complications and conditions like cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Certain supplements, like milk thistle and vitamin E, may help improve and manage fatty liver disease.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a herbal product used for centuries to treat liver disorders. The main ingredient in milk thistle is silymarin, an antioxidant that protects your liver cells from damage. Silymarin lowers inflammation and gets rid of toxins that affect how well your liver works.
Researchers have found that silymarin helps improve liver enzymes and blood tests related to liver damage. These labs are often high in people with fatty liver disease. However, other studies did not find the supplement to have a benefit.
Milk thistle is available in capsule, tablet, and liquid form. Doses often range from 250-750 milligrams, taken two to three times a day. Possible side effects include bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and gas.
Probiotics can help improve the amount of good bacteria in the body, especially in the gut. Maintaining good gut health is important for treating or preventing fatty liver disease. This is because having “bad” bacteria in your gut can raise the amount of toxins in other areas of the body.
Taking probiotics may help with fatty liver disease by improving gut health, inflammation, and the immune system. They may also improve biomarkers related to liver health.
Probiotics can cause side effects like bloating and gas. The dose you take depends on the product you are using. Read the instructions on the label or talk with your doctor to decide which dose is best for you.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that may improve inflammation, the amount of fat in the liver, and biomarkers for liver health.
Vitamin E doses used in studies range from 400 international units (IU) (268 milligrams) to 800 IU (536 milligrams) daily. This is much higher than the recommended vitamin E dose of 15-30 IU per day in healthy adults.
The tolerable upper limit for vitamin E in adults is 1,000 milligrams. Doses higher than 400 IU may raise your risk of bleeding or stroke. Talk with a healthcare provider before starting vitamin E.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is an Indian herb known for its yellow color. The main ingredient of turmeric is curcumin, which is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory herb. The supplement can lower liver enzymes and improve cholesterol levels.
Research on the use of turmeric in fatty liver disease is mixed. Some studies found it useful while others did not. More research is needed to understand how turmeric may help with liver health.
Many studies on turmeric for fatty liver disease used doses higher than 1,500 milligrams a day. Turmeric is usually well tolerated in doses up to 8,000 milligrams per day. Possible side effects include gastrointestinal upset, headache, and rash.
Vitamin D may help with how well insulin works, inflammation, and immune responses that affect liver cells. Researchers have found that people with fatty liver disease often have low vitamin D levels. While some studies have found a benefit in vitamin D supplementation, others report that vitamin D has no effect on liver health.
You can raise your vitamin D levels by eating food with vitamin D and getting exposure to direct sunlight. Supplements are also available to raise your vitamin D levels. The recommended dietary allowance for adults is 15-20 micrograms (600-800 IU). The tolerable upper limit for vitamin D in adults is 100 micrograms (4,000 IU).
Omega-3 fatty acids are “healthy” fats that improve heart health and lower inflammation. The supplement has been shown to improve insulin resistance, cholesterol, inflammation, and liver health.
Studies have reported that omega-3 improves liver blood tests and the amount of fat in the liver. However, the data is mixed on how well the supplement would work to treat or manage fatty liver disease. More research is needed to understand its benefit for this condition.
You can get omega-3 fatty acids through your diet or by taking supplements. The recommended daily intake for adults is 1.1-1.6 grams. A fish oil supplement often contains 1,000 milligrams of fish oil, but this can vary. Talk with your doctor to decide what dose would be best for you. Side effects of taking fish oil can include bad breath, heartburn, headache, and a fishy odor.
Talk with your doctor before starting a supplement for fatty liver disease. They can help you decide which type of supplement will work best for you and your condition. They can also check if the supplement will interact with any other medications, herbs, or supplements you already take.
Though some supplements and products claim to detox the liver, this is not actually true. When working properly, the liver cleans and detoxes itself. It’s best to focus on keeping your liver healthy so it works as it should.
Fatty liver disease is not reversible. However, you can take steps to help manage the condition. Adding a supplement to your daily routine may be one way to improve your liver health. Making certain changes to your lifestyle habits will also help:
- Exercise regularly: Regular physical exercise improves the liver and lowers inflammation and liver damage. Physical exercise can also help prevent fatty liver disease.
- Eat a balanced diet: Eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet can help you manage your weight and maintain your liver health. Along with getting plenty of fruits and vegetables, prioritize whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber.
- Manage your weight: If you have overweight or obesity, weight loss can improve many factors of fatty liver disease, like inflammation and fat buildup in the blood and liver.
- Limit your alcohol intake: Alcohol use is a common cause of liver disease. Drinking more than 14 alcoholic drinks in one week is associated with worsening fatty liver disease. Limiting your alcohol intake or not drinking alcohol at all can help prevent or treat liver damage.
Supplements like milk thistle, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E may help improve and manage fatty liver disease. Making certain lifestyle modifications can also help improve and maintain your liver health.
Talk with a healthcare provider before starting a supplement for fatty liver disease. They can help you decide which type of supplement will be best for you.
