The liver is one of those vital organs that we don’t really pay any mind to its functionality….until we have to. For an organ that doesn’t get a lot of attention, it’s responsible for an awful lot. Starting with processing our foods, regulating our metabolism and removing toxins, the liver goes about its job without need of excessive maintenance. So significant is it to the overall function of our bodies, that when the liver is in trouble, it is impossible to ignore. 

Truthfully, liver detox supplements hold a limited amount of credibility in terms of their efficacy. There are many that believe they do very little to rid the liver of toxins and harmful wastes. Whilst we have not done any research to determine the truth of this, we do not mind putting the health of our liver in the hands of supplement companies that incorporate scientifically-backed ingredients that are often age-old, sometimes even ancient remedies and have the data to prove its healing effects.  

Products such as the Swisse Liver Detox supplements exist to keep the liver happy and functioning optimally before worst case scenarios start to transpire in the event of its compromise. The active ingredients that Swisse incorporates into all of its vitamin and supplement products are specifically chosen and scientifically backed to support the health and well-being of the area to which they are intended. The Swisse Liver Detox supplement contains milk thistle, turmeric and globe artichoke to support the liver. The milk thistle is a known liver tonic that has proven to nourish, strengthen and protect it. Turmeric is one of the oldest herbs in Western herbal medicine to be used to relieve symptoms of indigestion, including abdominal bloating, digestive discomfort and flatulence. 

It’s the detox you wanna do if you’re prone to a drink or two cause it’s a Wednesday, (or, let’s face it, because it’s the end of any working day), or if you have begun to eat heavier, richer foods that take a greater toll on your digestive system. 

Each ingredient’s value to the liver detox supplement is as follows:

Turmeric is hailed as a herb with many healing properties in medicinal science. It is especially valuable in its liver detox abilities because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It also has the ability to prevent alcohol and other toxins from becoming harmful compounds that could damage the liver. 

Milk thistle has quantifiable research that states that, as another anti-inflammatory natural ingredient, it has shown improvement in liver function in people with existing liver conditions. 

Globe artichokes are a cousin of milk thistle, and are known to promote bile flow, which will carry toxins within your liver out of your body. As a remedy for indigestion, their scientific relevance to liver detox dates back over a century in Europe. 

Ultimately, supplements like the Swisse Liver Detox should be taken alongside a healthy diet that does not aggravate the liver and its function (ie. not over indulging in heavier foods and excessive intake of alcohol), not in place of. 

Turmeric is a hero ingredient as far as nutrition is concerned, grounded in ancient Indian medicine for its remarkable benefits to the body. While it features in the liver detox tablets for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to prevent alcohol and other toxins from becoming harmful compounds that could damage the liver, it has many benefits aside from this. The ample benefits to both body and brain reside in the compound called ‘curcumin’, which is an active ingredient in turmeric. 

Among its many benefits, turmeric can increase the antioxidant capacity of the body. It is alleged to be able to do this again through the active ingredient, curcumin, which is a potent antioxidant that is able to neutralise free radicals through its chemical structure.  

Studies have also suggested that turmeric is a pain reliever. Particularly for people suffering from osteoarthritis in the knee, the anti-inflammatory properties have been known to reduce the swelling (and, by consequence, the pain). The spice is known to work so well at this that it rivals ibuprofen for its ability to reduce pain.

Turmeric also has properties that have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, as well as reduce the severity of it. Curcumin is the key chemical that appears to have protective effects against prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer in particular. It is able to reduce the spread of cancer, reduce the growth of new blood vessels in tumours and assist in the death of cancerous cells.

The potent spice also plays a key role in the body’s ability to digest food. This is because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Further studies of turmeric are revealing that turmeric can help with gut inflammation and gut permeability.  

Although the cause is unknown, studies have suggested that turmeric has the ability to thin the blood. This function in the body is also thought to be linked with the spice’s ability to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Be warned, however! If people are taking blood-thinning medication, then they should not be taking turmeric in large quantities. 

Women, take note! If everything already detailed is not enough, turmeric also is known to reduce the severity of PMS symptoms.

For anyone who suffers from hay fever from time to time, there is evidence to suggest that turmeric can reduce symptoms of it like itching, sneezing, congestion and runny noses. 

Curcumin (the chemical in turmeric) also has benefits for those suffering from depression (that is, it helps reduce symptoms) as long as the turmeric is taken by people who are already taking anti-depressants. A small study was conducted, in which 60 people with depression divided into three groups; one taking taking Prozac, another taking curcumin, and the third taking both, concluded that the results of the third group were most successful at reducing symptoms, whilst also determining that curcumin is as effective as an anti-depressent. 

Medicinal properties aside, turmeric is a beautiful addition to food for its golden yellow colour that overpowers the colour palette of the meal. It is used often in Indian cooking as a rich and fragrant flavour to many meals.