The liver plays a crucial role in ensuring the body functions properly. Filtering around 1.4kg of blood per minute in the adult body, this highly vascular emunctory organ operates like an water purification plant.

Involved in processing and storing nutrients, it is also responsible for metabolising xenobiotic substances (alcohol, medicines...) by neutralising their toxic by-products so that they can be eliminated via stools or urine (6).

Liver cells thus come under significant strain when, for example, we eat an unhealthy diet(high in sugar and/or fat), we drink large amounts of alcohol or we’re onlong-term drug therapy (7-9).

Unfortunately, there are rarely any signs at an early stage that the liver is suffering. Symptoms may be subtle or entirely absent. However, potential clues which should serve as a warning include persistent fatigue with or without a temperature, pain in the right side of the abdomen, digestive problems, an increase in the size of the abdomen or yellowing of the skin (jaundice) (10).

As a result of its therapeutic use, it has been the subject of numerous scientific studies. At the end of the 1960s, a team of researchers identified silymarin as the compound responsible for milk thistle's therapeutic properties. Silymarin is a flavonoid complex encompassing silybin, silydianin and silychristin. These compounds are known for their health-protecting antioxidant potency. Silymarin is present in all parts of the milk thistle plant but is particularly concentrated in its seeds when it reaches maturity.

Due to its antioxidant potency and liver-beneficial properties, silymarin is associated with improvements in liver diseases such as cirrhosis. Primarily linked to excessive alcohol consumption, this chronic liver disease is characterised by extensive and irreversible damage. While the damage is permanent, it is nonetheless important to stabilise the disease and minimise its adverse effects. In addition to these benefits for cirrhosis, silymarin is often highlighted for its ability to regenerate the liver. It has proved to be particularly beneficial for protecting the liver from toxin-induced damage, due, for example, to pollution or ingestion of toxic substances.

As well as supplementing with Silyplus, you may find these other nutritional supplements of interest too.

Discover the properties of LIV 52®, a famous ayurvedic formulation. See also Liver Support Formula, an enhanced formulation for liver health.

For detox purposes, a course of 2-4 weeks is generally advisable. This can be extended to several months, under medical supervision, in the case of liver problems.

In terms of dose, we recommend taking 3 capsules of Desmodium Liver Detox a day with a large glass of water, before meals, which equates to a daily dose of 1200mg of desmodium extract.

Studies confirm that desmodium supplementation is non-toxic, and is not associated with any contraindications or major side-effects. Only minor digestive symptoms have been reported.

However, according to the scientific literature, there is a risk of it interacting with certain marginal molecules such as thiopental, a general anaesthetic. Desmodium may trigger the production of cytochrome P450, a liver enzyme involved in eliminating drugs from the body, which could potentially reduce their efficacy (11). In reality, however, no specific drug interactions have been documented to date.

As a precaution, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as well as anyone being monitored for liver disease, should check with their doctor or pharmacist before starting to supplement.

In addition to desmodium, there are several other plants associated with providing effect liver support. One such plant is milk thistle, which helps protect and regenerate liver cells as a result of its silymarin content (12). The ground-breaking supplement Silyplus benefits from a patented form of silymarin which is 10 times more bioavailable than standard supplements.

For a broad-spectrum detox, a good option is Triphala, a legendary Ayurvedic medicine remedy based on a combination of three plants: amla, behada and most importantly, harada (Terminalia chebula) which supports liver health (13).

This product’s capsules are made of pullulan, a natural polysaccharide obtained by fermenting tapioca or corn. Pullulan contains no animal ingredients and provides an excellent barrier to oxygen, helping to preserve the integrity of the capsule’s ingredients. It is also an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic materials.

This product’s capsules are made of pullulan, a natural polysaccharide obtained by fermenting tapioca or corn. Pullulan contains no animal ingredients and provides an excellent barrier to oxygen, helping to preserve the integrity of the capsule’s ingredients. It is also an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic materials.