Condition

General Liver Health

The liver is the body's main filter, cleaning the blood, making bile for digestion, storing nutrients and neutralizing toxins. The evidence is strongest for milk thistle and N-acetylcysteine, and in trials artichoke extract improved liver enzymes. Those enzyme findings are still limited, and a tiny whey protein study of 11 women found mixed results on blood sugar, so bigger trials are needed.

Sources: PMID 21288612

Supplements studied: 17
Graded outcomes: 15
Trials: 19
People studied: 11,377

Evidence by supplement

Strong
Moderate
Limited
Very limited

17 supplements

Whey Protein

Whey Protein: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Studies	People
	Blood glucose Mixed effect		1 study	11 people
Studies that measured blood glucose Effects of a whey protein supplementation on intrahepatocellular lipids in obese female patientsClin Nutr · PMID 21288612
	Glycemic Control	Improves (the measure goes up)	1 study	11 people
Studies that measured glycemic control Open-labeled pilot study of cysteine-rich whey protein isolate supplementation for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patientsJ Gastroenterol Hepatol · PMID 19638084
	Liver Fat	Improves (the measure goes down)		11 people
	Total cholesterol	Improves (the measure goes down)		11 people
	Triglycerides	Improves (the measure goes down)		11 people

Artichoke Extract

Artichoke Extract: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Liver Enzymes Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect		2,509 people
	Triglycerides	Changes; see studies		3 studies	2,509 people
Studies that measured triglycerides Effects of artichoke leaf extract supplementation or artichoke juice consumption on lipid profile: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPhytother Res · PMID 34569671 Artichoke leaf extract for treating hypercholesterolaemia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 23543518 Effects of different natural products in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Phytother Res · PMID 38886838

Bitter Cucumber

Blood glucose: improves
Liver Enzymes: changes; see studies
Triglycerides: changes; see studies

Bitter Cucumber: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Blood glucose Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect		50 people
	Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies		1 study	50 people
Studies that measured liver enzymes The hypolipidemic effect of Citrullus colocynthis on patients with hyperlipidemiaPak J Biol Sci · PMID 21313901
	Triglycerides	Changes; see studies		1 study	50 people
Studies that measured triglycerides The clinical investigation of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) schrad fruit in treatment of Type II diabetic patients: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trialPhytother Res · PMID 19170143
	HbA1c	Changes; see studies			50 people
	High-density lipoprotein (HDL)	Improves (the measure goes up)			50 people
	Kidney Function	Improves (the measure goes up)			50 people
	Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	Changes; see studies			50 people
	Total cholesterol	Changes; see studies			50 people
	Urea	Improves (the measure goes up)			50 people
	Weight	Changes; see studies			50 people

L-Carnitine

Glycemic Control: improves
Liver Enzymes: changes; see studies
TNF-Alpha: improves

L-Carnitine: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Glycemic Control Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect		30 people
	Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies		2 studies	30 people
Studies that measured liver enzymes Data from a randomized and controlled trial of LCarnitine prescription for the treatment for Non- Alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseBioinformation · PMID 25352725 Effects of carnitine supplementation on liver aminotransferase enzymes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trialsIndian J Gastroenterol · PMID 31828538
	TNF-Alpha	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	30 people
Studies that measured tnf-alpha L-carnitine supplementation to diet: a new tool in treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis--a randomized and controlled clinical trialAm J Gastroenterol · PMID 20068559 Effects of carnitine supplementation on flow-mediated dilation and vascular inflammatory responses to a high-fat meal in healthy young adultsAm J Cardiol · PMID 18993165

Brown Seaweed Extract

C-Reactive Protein (CRP): improves
Liver Enzymes: changes; see studies
Liver Fat: changes; see studies

Brown Seaweed Extract: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Small Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect		151 people
	Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies		1 study	151 people
Studies that measured liver enzymes The effects of Xanthigen in the weight management of obese premenopausal women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and normal liver fatDiabetes Obes Metab · PMID 19840063
	Liver Fat	Changes; see studies			151 people
	Metabolic Rate	Improves (the measure goes up)			151 people
	Triglycerides	Changes; see studies			151 people
	Weight	Changes; see studies			151 people

Curcumin

Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile: improves
Blood glucose: improves
Triglycerides: improves

Curcumin: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile Moderate Increase	Improves (the measure goes up)	Moderate effect		38 people
	Blood glucose	Improves (the measure goes down)		18 studies	60 people
Studies that measured blood glucose The Effect of Antioxidant Polyphenol Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Nutrients · 2024 · PMID 39683599 Curcumin alleviates postprandial glycaemic response in healthy subjects: A cross-over, randomized controlled studySci Rep · 2018 · PMID 30209353 Effects of Curcuma longa (turmeric) on postprandial plasma glucose and insulin in healthy subjectsNutr J · 2010 · PMID 20937162 and 15 more on the Curcumin page
	Triglycerides	Improves (the measure goes down)		9 studies	178 people
Studies that measured triglycerides Effect of different curcuminoid supplement dosages on total in vivo antioxidant capacity and cholesterol levels of healthy human subjectsPhytother Res · 2011 · PMID 21796707 Effect of NCB-02, atorvastatin and placebo on endothelial function, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, 8-week studyDrugs R D · 2008 · PMID 18588355 Curcuminoids modify lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trialComplement Ther Med · PMID 28735818 and 6 more on the Curcumin page
	Oxidative Stress Biomarkers	Improves (the measure goes down)		6 studies	38 people
Studies that measured oxidative stress biomarkers The effects of curcumin-containing supplements on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Phytother Res · PMID 30402990 Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcuminoid-piperine combination in subjects with metabolic syndrome: A randomized controlled trial and an updated meta-analysisClin Nutr · PMID 25618800 Curcumin protects DNA damage in a chronically arsenic-exposed population of West BengalHum Exp Toxicol · PMID 20056736 and 3 more on the Curcumin page
	Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	Improves (the measure goes down)		5 studies	140 people
Studies that measured low-density lipoprotein (ldl) The effects of curcumin supplementation on liver enzymes, lipid profile, glucose homeostasis, and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver diseaseEur J Clin Nutr · PMID 30610213 Treatment of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Curcumin: A Randomized Placebo-controlled TrialPhytother Res · PMID 27270872 Nano-curcumin improves glucose indices, lipids, inflammation, and Nesfatin in overweight and obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trialNutr Metab · PMID 30705687 and 2 more on the Curcumin page
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)		5 studies	80 people
	Total cholesterol	Improves (the measure goes down)		4 studies	178 people
	Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies		3 studies	1,948 people
	Bilirubin	Changes; see studies		1 study	60 people
	C-Reactive Protein (CRP)	Improves (the measure goes down)			38 people
	Cell Adhesion Factors	Improves (the measure goes down)			38 people
	Hematocrit	Improves (the measure goes up)			60 people
	Hemoglobin	Improves (the measure goes up)			60 people
	High-density lipoprotein (HDL)	Improves (the measure goes up)			140 people
	Kidney Function	Improves (the measure goes up)			60 people
	Liver Fibrosis	Improves (the measure goes down)			80 people
	Myeloperoxidase	Improves (the measure goes up)			38 people
	Nitric Oxide	Improves (the measure goes up)			38 people
	Red Blood Cell Count	Improves (the measure goes up)			60 people
	Serum Albumin	Improves (the measure goes up)			60 people
	Serum Platelets	Improves (the measure goes up)			60 people
	Urea	Improves (the measure goes up)			60 people
	White Blood Cell Count	Improves (the measure goes up)			60 people

Astaxanthin

DNA Damage: improves
Triglycerides: changes; see studies
High-density lipoprotein (HDL): improves

Astaxanthin: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	DNA Damage Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect		29 people
	Triglycerides	Changes; see studies		2 studies	29 people
Studies that measured triglycerides Antioxidant Lipid Supplement on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Nutrients · PMID 39064656 Assessing the Effects of Moderate to High Dosage of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Lipid Profile Parameters-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies.Pharmaceuticals · PMID 40872489
	High-density lipoprotein (HDL)	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	29 people
Studies that measured high-density lipoprotein (hdl) A blinded placebo-controlled randomized trial on the use of astaxanthin as an adjunct to splinting in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndromeHand · PMID 23449748
	Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies		1 study	196 people
Studies that measured liver enzymes The effects of astaxanthin supplementation on liver enzyme levels.Int J Vitam Nutr Res · PMID 38407143
	Lymphocyte Count	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	29 people
Studies that measured lymphocyte count Effects of Astaxanthin on Liver and Leukocyte Parameters in Healthy Climacteric Women: Preliminary DataJ Med Food · PMID 28692413
	Estrogen	Changes; see studies			29 people
	Fibrinogen	Improves (the measure goes up)			29 people
	Gamma-Glutamyltransferase	Improves (the measure goes up)			196 people
	Kidney Function	Improves (the measure goes up)			29 people
	Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	Changes; see studies			29 people
	Neutrophil Count	Improves (the measure goes up)			29 people
	Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)	Improves (the measure goes up)			29 people
	White Blood Cell Count	Improves (the measure goes up)			29 people

Chromium

Kidney Function
Weight: improves
Liver Enzymes: changes; see studies

Chromium: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Kidney Function No effect		NoneNo effect	1 study	32 people
Studies that measured kidney function Resistive training and chromium picolinate: effects on inositols and liver and kidney functions in older adultsInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 15467101
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)		12 studies	32 people
Studies that measured weight Chromium picolinate supplementation in women: effects on body weight, composition, and iron statusNutrition · PMID 17291720 Effect of resistance training with or without chromium picolinate supplementation on glucose metabolism in older men and womenMetabolism · PMID 10337851 Chromium supplementation shortens QTc interval duration in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusAm Heart J · PMID 15990745 and 9 more on the Chromium page
	Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies			32 people

Creatine

Bilirubin
Creatinine: improves
Liver Enzymes: changes; see studies

Creatine: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Bilirubin No effect		NoneNo effect	1 study	23 people
Studies that measured bilirubin Creatine monohydrate supplementation does not improve functional recovery after total knee arthroplastyArch Phys Med Rehabil · PMID 16003653
	Creatinine	Improves (the measure goes up)		3 studies	23 people
Studies that measured creatinine Effects of creatine supplementation on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers after repeated-sprint exercise in humansNutrition · PMID 23800565 Creatine has no beneficial effect on skeletal muscle energy metabolism in patients with single mitochondrial DNA deletions: a placebo-controlled, double-blind 31P-MRS crossover studyEur J Neurol · PMID 15804248 Effects of long-term creatine supplementation on liver and kidney functions in American college football playersInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 12500988
	Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies			23 people
	Urea	Improves (the measure goes up)			23 people

Conjugated Linoleic Acid

Kidney Function
Liver Enzymes: changes; see studies

Conjugated Linoleic Acid: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Kidney Function No effect		NoneNo effect		20 people
	Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies		2 studies	140 people
Studies that measured liver enzymes A high intake of conjugated linoleic acid does not affect liver and kidney function tests in healthy human subjectsFood Chem Toxicol · PMID 19932729 Safety of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in a 12-weeks trial in healthy overweight Japanese male volunteersJ Oleo Sci · PMID 17898458

Tetradecyl Thioacetic Acid

Blood glucose
Heart Rate: improves
Total cholesterol: improves

Tetradecyl Thioacetic Acid: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Blood glucose No effect		NoneNo effect		18 people
	Heart Rate	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	18 people
Studies that measured heart rate Pharmacology and safety of tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA): phase-1 studyJ Cardiovasc Pharmacol · PMID 18427285
	Total cholesterol	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	18 people
Studies that measured total cholesterol Anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic effects of the modified fatty acid tetradecylthioacetic acid in psoriasis--a pilot studyScand J Clin Lab Invest · PMID 21338276
	C-Reactive Protein (CRP)	Improves (the measure goes down)			18 people
	High-density lipoprotein (HDL)	Improves (the measure goes up)			18 people
	Kidney Function	Improves (the measure goes up)			18 people
	Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies			18 people
	Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	Improves (the measure goes down)			18 people
	Red Blood Cell Count	Improves (the measure goes up)			18 people
	Serum T4	Improves (the measure goes up)			18 people
	Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone	Improves (the measure goes up)			18 people
	Triglycerides	Improves (the measure goes down)			18 people
	Uric Acid	Improves (the measure goes down)			18 people
	White Blood Cell Count	Improves (the measure goes up)			18 people

Vitamin E

Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile
Total cholesterol: improves
Triglycerides: improves

Vitamin E: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Profile No effect		NoneNo effect		88 people
	Total cholesterol	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	120 people
Studies that measured total cholesterol Pioglitazone, vitamin E, or placebo for nonalcoholic steatohepatitisN Engl J Med · PMID 20427778 Plasma transforming growth factor-beta1 level and efficacy of alpha-tocopherol in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: a pilot studyAliment Pharmacol Ther · PMID 11564008
	Triglycerides	Improves (the measure goes down)		2 studies	120 people
Studies that measured triglycerides Study on the effect of megavitamin E supplementation in manAm J Clin Nutr · PMID 347918 Megavitamin E supplementation in manAm J Clin Nutr · PMID 803000
	High-density lipoprotein (HDL)	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	88 people
Studies that measured high-density lipoprotein (hdl) Assessment of the safety of supplementation with different amounts of vitamin E in healthy older adultsAm J Clin Nutr · PMID 9701188
	Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies		1 study	120 people
Studies that measured liver enzymes Vitamin E for people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 39412049
	Neutrophil Count	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	32 people
	Serum T4	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	120 people
	Weight	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	120 people
	White Blood Cell Count	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	120 people
	Bilirubin	Changes; see studies			88 people
	Bleeding Time	Changes; see studies			88 people
	Blood glucose	Improves (the measure goes down)			120 people
	Hematocrit	Improves (the measure goes up)			88 people
	Homocysteine	Improves (the measure goes down)			88 people
	Immunity	Improves (the measure goes up)			32 people
	Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	Improves (the measure goes down)			88 people
	Lymphocyte Count	Improves (the measure goes up)			32 people
	Neutrophil Activity	Improves (the measure goes up)			88 people
	Red Blood Cell Count	Improves (the measure goes up)			120 people
	Serum Cobalamin	Improves (the measure goes up)			88 people
	Serum Folate	Improves (the measure goes up)			88 people
	Serum Platelets	Improves (the measure goes up)			120 people
	Serum T3	Improves (the measure goes up)			120 people

Black Cohosh

Blood Flow
Menopausal Symptoms: changes; see studies
Liver Enzymes: changes; see studies

Black Cohosh: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
Blood Flow No effect		NoneNo effect		87 people
Menopausal Symptoms	Changes; see studies		12 studies	87 people
Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies			87 people
Weight	Changes; see studies			87 people

Resveratrol

Bilirubin
Liver Enzymes: changes; see studies

Resveratrol: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Bilirubin No effect		NoneNo effect		208 people
	Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies		2 studies	714 people

DHEA

Body Fat
Estrogen: changes; see studies
Testosterone: improves

DHEA: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
Body Fat No effect		NoneNo effect		19 people
Estrogen	Changes; see studies		8 studies	19 people
Testosterone	Improves (the measure goes up)		3 studies	19 people
Muscle Mass	Improves (the measure goes up)		2 studies	19 people
Serum DHEA	Improves (the measure goes up)		2 studies	19 people
Luteinizing Hormone	Improves (the measure goes up)			19 people

Saffron

Liver Enzymes: changes; see studies

Saffron: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies		1 study	463 people

N-Acetylcysteine

Liver Enzymes: changes; see studies

N-Acetylcysteine: outcomes studied for General Liver Health
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Liver Enzymes	Changes; see studies		1 study	448 people

Key findings

Blood glucoseWhey Protein
Liver EnzymesArtichoke ExtractImproves (the measure goes down)
Glycemic ControlL-CarnitineImproves (the measure goes up)

The General Liver Health protocol

2 primary supplements · 4 supporting supplements

Milk Thistle (Silymarin)200–400 mg silymarin 2–3× daily
N-Acetylcysteine (NAC)600–1,200 mg daily

See the full protocol

Studies cited

7 studies from PubMed

The effects of Xanthigen in the weight management of obese premenopausal women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and normal liver fatDiabetes Obes Metab · PMID 19840063
Dietary Interventions in Patients With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisFront Nutr · PMID 34368214
The effectiveness and acceptability of Mediterranean diet and calorie restriction in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Nutr · PMID 35947894
Effect of Mediterranean diet on liver enzymes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trialsBr J Nutr · PMID 34165054
[The effect of kefir consumption on human immune system: a cytokine study]Mikrobiyol Bul · PMID 23621727
Effect of Intermittent Fasting on Liver Function Tests: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.Nutr Rev · PMID 38917447
The Effect of a Ketogenic Diet on Liver Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Nutr Rev · PMID 41206623

Evidence by supplement

Key findings

The General Liver Health protocol

Studies cited

Related conditions

Supplement stack for General Liver Health