Liver health
Check what applies to you and the best-matched supplements move to the top.
Nothing checked yetDefault order, by strength of evidence.
Bottom line
For liver health, start with Milk thistle, Glutathione, NAC (N-acetylcysteine). The first one to look at is Milk thistle — 200–400 mg a day as silymarin (up to 600 mg); Split into 2–3 doses a day, after meals.
Supplements ranked for this concern
AWell researchedBSome evidenceCLimited evidence
| # | Supplement | Evidence | When | How much | Caution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milk thistleMatches your checks The most studied liver supplement. It may help protect liver cells and raise glutathione levels in the liver. |
A | Split into 2–3 doses a day, after meals | 200–400 mg a day as silymarin (up to 600 mg) | It increases bile flow, which can upset your stomach. If you have a blocked bile duct or are on hormone therapy, talk to your doctor first. | Details |
| 2 | GlutathioneMatches your checks A key substance in the liver's detox process. It may help clear free radicals that build up from alcohol and other sources. |
B | Regular forms on an empty stomach; liposomal forms with or without food | 250–500 mg a day. Start low and find the amount that works for you. | Whether it's absorbed when taken by mouth is debated. Stop if you get a reaction such as breakouts or itching. | Details |
| 3 | NAC (N-acetylcysteine)Matches your checks A building block your body uses to make glutathione. It may support liver detox and help with liver enzyme levels. |
B | Fine on an empty stomach, or after meals if it upsets your stomach | 600 mg a day, or 600 mg twice a day if needed | Its sulfur smell can easily make you queasy. | Compare products |
| 4 | CurcuminMatches your checks May help bile flow and calm inflammation caused by fatty liver. |
B | After meals, split between morning and evening | An enhanced-absorption form at the label amount (e.g. 1–2 capsules of 500 mg) | It raises liver enzymes in a fair number of cases, so be careful if you have liver or bile duct disease, and avoid products with piperine (black pepper extract). | Compare products |
| 5 | Vitamin EMatches your checks An antioxidant vitamin with a fair amount of data suggesting it may help non-alcoholic fatty liver. |
B | After meals. Stop 1 week before surgery. | 400 IU a day or less | Taken with blood thinners, it may raise bleeding risk. | Details |
| 6 | LecithinMatches your checks Supports fat metabolism and may help reduce fat buildup in the liver. Often paired with silymarin (milk thistle). |
C | After meals | 5–10 g a day (1 tablespoon of granules is about 10 g) | If you take a blood thinner, talk to your doctor first. | Details |
| 7 | Vitamin B complexMatches your checks Supports fat metabolism in the liver. A good partner for liver supplements if you're tired and drink often. |
C | After breakfast or lunch | 1 tablet with 20–50 mg of each main B vitamin (keep total B6 at 100 mg or less) | High-dose niacin (B3) can actually strain the liver. | Compare products |
| 8 | Artichoke extractMatches your checks Stimulates bile flow and is used to support the liver and digestion after fatty meals. |
C | With meals, especially fatty ones | 2 capsules a day (up to 6) | It's high in potassium, so avoid it if you have kidney problems, gallstones or bile duct disease. | Details |
Medications to watch out for
If you take any medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting.
Tamoxifen and estrogen medicinesMilk thistleMay affect how the drug is absorbed or your hormones. Talk to your doctor before taking it.
Blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) and aspirinCurcumin · Vitamin E · LecithinYour blood may get thinner, raising bleeding risk.
Diabetes drugs and GLP-1 shots such as Wegovy and MounjaroCurcuminBlood sugar may drop too low, and there are reports of raised liver enzymes. If you use them together, check your levels.
Antidepressants and heart medicinesMilk thistle · Curcumin (with piperine)Black pepper extract can change how drugs are absorbed. Choose products without piperine.
Gallstone medicine (ursodiol/Actigall, etc.)Curcumin · Artichoke extractBoth increase bile flow. If you're being treated for gallstones, talk to your doctor first.
Being treated for stomach ulcers or gastritisNAC (N-acetylcysteine)It can irritate the stomach lining and cause pain.
Before supplements: daily habits
- 01Even ingredients said to be good for the liver, like green tea extract, noni, garcinia and high-dose vitamin A, can raise liver enzymes.
- 02If you get yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, nausea or loss of appetite after taking a supplement, stop right away and see a doctor.
- 03Simple single-ingredient products are easier on the liver than blends with many herbal ingredients.
- 04If you have fatty liver, cutting back on alcohol and sugary drinks (fructose) comes first.
- 05If your liver enzymes stay high, don't rely on supplements alone. Get tested to find the cause.
Product comparison
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAC 600 mg (120 Capsules)Best value Best Naturals |
N-acetylcysteine only | 600 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) 600 mg (180 Capsules) Nutricost |
N-acetylcysteine only | 600 mg | 180 | Low | Amazon → |
| NAC 1,000 mg (120 Tablets) NOW |
N-acetylcysteine only (tablet) | 1000 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine 600 mg (60 Vegetarian Capsules) Life Extension |
N-acetylcysteine only | 600 mg | 60 | Low | Amazon → |
| NAC N-Acetyl Cysteine 600 mg (100 Capsules, 3 Pack) Swanson |
N-acetylcysteine only | 600 mg | 300 | Low | Amazon → |
| NAC 600 mg with Selenium & Molybdenum (100 Veg Capsules) NOW |
N-acetylcysteine + a little selenium | 600 mg | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| NAC 600 mg (60 Capsules) Integrative Therapeutics |
N-acetylcysteine only | 600 mg | 60 | Average | Amazon → |
| NAC N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine 500 mg (90 Capsules) Natural Factors |
N-acetylcysteine only | 500 mg | 90 | Average | Amazon → |
Compare all NAC (N-acetylcysteine) products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Bio-Curcumin 400 mg (BCM-95)Best value Life Extension |
BCM-95 curcumin capsules | 1 capsule: BCM-95 400 mg (about 380 mg curcuminoids) | 60 | Average | Amazon → |
| Curcumin Phytosome 500 mg Sustained Release (Meriva) Thorne |
Meriva (curcumin phytosome) sustained-release capsules | 2 capsules: Meriva 500 mg (250 mg per capsule) | 120 | High | Amazon → |
| Curcumin Phytosome 1,000 mg (Meriva) Thorne |
Meriva (curcumin phytosome) capsules | 2 capsules: Meriva 1,000 mg (500 mg per capsule) | 120 | High | Amazon → |
Compare all Curcumin products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) 2000 mcgBest value Nutricost |
Methylcobalamin (active) capsule | 1 capsule: B12 2,000 mcg | 240 | Low | Amazon → |
| Methyl B-12 1000 mcg Lozenges NOW Foods |
Methylcobalamin (active), dissolvable lozenge | 1 lozenge: B12 1,000 mcg (label 1–2) | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| High Potency Vitamin B Complex 462mg Nutricost |
Regular B vitamins + methyl B12 | 1 capsule: B1 60, B2 75, B6 50 mg, B12 1,000 mcg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| Super B Vitamin B Complex Sustained Release Bronson |
Regular B vitamins, time-release tablet | 1 tablet: B1, B2, B6 50 mg each | 60 | Average | Amazon → |
| Coenzyme B-Complex with Methylfolate and B12 Country Life |
Coenzyme (active) B1, B2, B6 + methyl and adenosyl B12 | 1 capsule: B1, B2, B6 25 mg each, B12 250 mcg (label 1–2 capsules) | 240 | Average | Amazon → |
| Active B-Complex with Methylfolate Integrative Therapeutics |
Active B2, B6, folate (Quatrefolic), B12 (methyl) | 1 capsule: B1, B2, B6 25 mg each, B12 500 mcg (label 1–2 capsules) | 60 | Average | Amazon → |
| B-Complex Plus Pure Encapsulations |
Active B2, B6, folate (Metafolin), B12 (methyl) | 1 capsule: B1 100, B2 12.7, B6 16.7 mg (label 1–2 capsules) | 120 | High | Amazon → |
| High Strength Super B-Complex (Methylated & Active) Igennus |
Active B2, B6, folate (5-MTHF), B12 (methyl), time-release tablet | 2 tablets: B1 40, B2 28, B6 40 mg, B12 1,800 mcg | 180 | High | Amazon → |
Compare all Vitamin B complex products →
Cost per day is relative — compared with other products of the same supplement. Check Amazon for the current price. Some links are affiliate links.
Several ingredients in one pill: Compare liver support combos →