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As research continues, there is growing interest in how gut bacteria like probiotics impact the rest of our bodies. Still, probiotics are more than a health buzzword - these incredible microorganisms help maintain balance in the gut and even affect immunity, mood, and digestion. However, the benefits of probiotics extend beyond the gut to other crucial organs, such as the liver. With this in mind, we’ll explore how probiotics can promote liver health and reduce liver-related conditions. Additionally, we’ll discuss how you can choose the right probiotic supplements to support your health and flourish from within.
Understanding Probiotics
Before learning how probiotics affect liver health, it’s vital to understand what they are and why they matter. Probiotics are sometimes referred to as ‘good bacteria’, but there’s more to them than this. For instance, probiotics are mainly bacteria but are also made up of other microorganisms like yeasts. These reside naturally in our gut and play a fundamental role in balancing our microbiome.
Our gut microbiome comprises fungi, bacteria, viruses and many other microbes living symbiotically with our bodies. This diverse, living community coexists in harmony, forming an ecosystem that’s essential for good digestion, metabolism and immunity. Probiotics are part of the trillions of microorganisms in our gut, and they help to increase the population of good bacteria while suppressing harmful ones. Additionally, probiotics aren’t just found in our gut - fermented foods such as yoghurt, sauerkraut, kimchi and kefir are all probiotic-rich. When we consume probiotics through food or supplements, they colonise the gastrointestinal tract and begin working alongside the existing microflora. In turn, they enhance our beneficial bacteria, which contributes to better wellness all around.
The Impact of Probiotics on Liver Health
At first glance, it may seem that probiotics have little to do with liver health - after all, they reside in the gut. Still, the liver is a large and vital organ in the body, dealing with nutrient storage, detoxification, metabolic function and more. When the liver suffers stress or injury, fibrosis and inflammation may occur and cause severe knock-on effects. Notably, inflammation and fibrosis can contribute to fatty liver diseases and even cirrhosis. This is where probiotics and liver health are connected. These microorganisms balance gut flora populations and activity, which can influence liver function by reducing inflammation.
Probiotics produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which have anti-inflammatory properties. These can help alleviate liver inflammation and support liver regeneration. Additionally, probiotics can also improve our gut barrier and minimise harmful elements entering the bloodstream, thereby reducing the liver’s workload. What’s more, probiotics can combat liver fibrosis. Specific strains prevent hepatic stellate cells (specialised liver cells) from activating, which are involved in fibrosis. Since probiotics inhibit this process, they can slow or even reverse fibrosis and enhance liver health.
Probiotic Strains Beneficial for Liver Health
While research in this area is still ongoing, several probiotic strains have shown potential for supporting liver health. Let’s take a look at these below.
Bifidobacterium breve: This strain plays a large role in strengthening and maintaining the gut barrier, which can reduce the likelihood of toxins entering and causing inflammation. In this way, it can protect the liver from harmful substances and damage, allowing it to function optimally.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus: Known for its immune-modulating properties, this probiotic strain has shown promise in reducing liver inflammation and minimising non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) symptoms. By balancing and protecting the gut’s microbiome, lactobacillus rhamnosus may also reduce endotoxins and other damaging substances travelling from the gut to the liver.
Saccharomyces boulardii: Though technically a yeast, s. boulardii is considered a probiotic due to its beneficial effects on gut health. Its anti-inflammatory potential also supports the liver since liver health is closely related to overall inflammation levels. Further, s. boulardii is capable of binding to and neutralising specific toxins, stopping them from reaching the liver and affecting its function.
Bacillus subtilis: This is a beneficial spore-forming bacterium that can support the immune system by promoting varied gut bacteria. In turn, a thriving immune system protects the liver from pathogens, infections and inflammation. Some bacillus subtilis strains also create enzymes that help the gut detoxify compounds. By supporting detoxification, it can minimise stress on the liver.
Choosing the right Probiotic Supplements
There’s a vast amount of probiotic supplements available, which can make it challenging to choose the right one for you. Here are some suggestions to help you select a high-quality, effective supplement for your gut and liver:
Strain Selection: The best probiotics for liver health should include a variety of strains. This way, the supplement will combine and maximise its benefits, making it a more effective way to consume probiotics. That’s why our Multi Strain Biotic contains fifteen different bio-live cultures combined with natural botanicals for an added wellness boost.
Strength: It’s important to choose a probiotic supplement that’s sufficiently potent, and you can check the colony-forming units (CFUs) count to do so. Most supplements provide this on the label, but it’s worth noting that higher CFUs don’t always guarantee better results. Alongside the CFU, you can also look out for the percentage of bio-live cultures present in the supplement.
Quality and Viability: Probiotics are delicate microorganisms, so it’s crucial that they remain viable to be effective. That’s why it’s best to select high-quality probiotics that are viable for the length of time it takes to finish the supply. Our liquid probiotic supplement is hand-brewed locally in the South West of England, guaranteeing the finest quality and most effective results.
Additional Ingredients: Some supplements might contain added ingredients, such as sugars, chemicals or preservatives. Opt for supplements that are free from artificial ingredients and additives, as these can compromise the effectiveness of the probiotics. Instead, we use natural plant-based nutrients, such as aloe vera, ginger and zinc, to enhance our supplement’s potency. What’s more, our all-natural supplement is free from sugars and gluten, and we never add chemical substances or flavourings.
Evidently, maintaining a healthy gut is essential for the whole body, but it also promotes better liver health. This is because the gut and liver are closely interconnected via the gut-liver axis. Through probiotics, we can help our gut microbiomes flourish and relieve our livers from additional damage and stress. In fact, probiotic foods and supplements can help us manage and avoid liver conditions while strengthening our gut and immunity. As with any supplement, consult a healthcare practitioner if you feel unsure about taking probiotics or have existing liver issues and concerns. Still, by choosing the right probiotics, we can support our livers, boost our overall health, and progress on our wellness journeys.
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Hanna SillitoeDec 27, 2023
Milk Thistle vs Other Liver Support Supplements: Which is Right for You?
Our livers undergo stress on a daily basis, which is why liver support supplements keep gaining popularity. These supplements can help us combat the effects of pollutants and toxins, helping our livers function well and promoting better health. Still, with so many supplement forms and ingredients available, you might struggle to choose the right one for your liver. That’s why this article will compare milk thistle and other well-known liver support supplements, exploring how they can benefit our vital organs and improve our wellness.
Liver Health and the Need for Supplements
All our organs are important and work in tandem to keep our bodies thriving and functioning. Still, the liver is one of our vital organs and is crucial for maintaining the body's internal environment. It filters and neutralises harmful substances, metabolises nutrients, stores essential vitamins and minerals, and produces proteins needed for various functions. However, our livers can quickly feel the effects of our polluted environments and stressful lifestyles, causing them to become overworked and even damaged. For example, external toxins, sedentary habits, unhealthy diets and excessive alcohol can all take a toll on our livers.
Yet our livers may need extra support even while we take steps to improve our lifestyles, and this is where supplements can help. Liver support supplements provide additional nutrients and compounds that can help the liver function smoothly, allowing it to regenerate and recover from damage or liver conditions. These supplements often contain a mixture of vitamins, minerals, herbs, and antioxidants that offer unique benefits for the liver.
While supplements can boost our liver health, it’s important to note that they shouldn’t replace healthy eating or lifestyle habits. Instead, these supplements can help us take a holistic approach to our health, providing a natural way to complement our wellness journey.
Getting to Know Milk Thistle
Milk Thistle, also known as Silybum marianum, is a well-known natural remedy for liver problems. This flowering herb contains the active compound silymarin, which contains powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential. In turn, this compound can help minimise liver inflammation and oxidative stress, shielding liver cells from free radicals.
Silymarin’s protective properties can also rescue toxin damage and lessen the risk of liver conditions. Another crucial benefit of milk thistle is its ability to support liver repair. It can encourage regeneration by stimulating new cell growth, helping the liver renew damaged tissue. Additionally, milk thistle may promote improved bile production. This bodily fluid is essential for proper digestion and helps absorb fats. Since milk thistle assists this process, it supports better digestion, waste elimination and detoxification.
Clearly, this wonderful herb has many potent benefits for the liver and the rest of the body. It’s available in various supplement forms, from tinctures to teas and capsules. And since it’s a natural botanical, it won’t have detrimental side effects or contain harmful chemicals. Still, if you’re ever uncertain about taking a supplement, please talk with your doctor or general practitioner for advice.
Other Liver Health Supplements
Milk thistle is a common and widely taken liver support supplement, but it’s not the only one available. Other supplements, teas and tinctures may contain milk thistle alongside other ingredients that support the liver and improve its function. Liver support supplements may contain natural botanicals such as:
Artichoke Extract: Artichokes can support better bile production, helping the liver detoxify and cleanse itself more effectively. Plus, artichoke compounds can positively impact cholesterol levels, lowering “bad” cholesterol (LDL) levels which can lead to fatty liver disease and other liver problems. Since artichoke can help minimise high blood sugar levels, it may also prevent conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Dandelion Root: Dandelion is a traditional liver supplement used for centuries to help cleanse the body and support the liver. Dandelion root is considered a natural diuretic, meaning it can increase urine production and promote toxin elimination through the kidneys. This diuretic effect can indirectly support the liver's detoxification processes by efficiently removing waste products from the body, lessening the liver’s workload.
Turmeric: This root vegetable contains curcumin, an active compound with strong anti- inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Chronic inflammation is a symptom and a cause of many liver conditions, including NAFLD and fibrosis. This means that turmeric’s anti- inflammatory effects can lower the risk of these diseases and even help the liver recover from them.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Liver Support Supplement
There are many options to choose from, which is why some need help finding the right liver health supplement. Since everyone’s circumstances differ, it’s best to consider your needs, routines and health conditions. One thing to keep in mind is your personal health goals. Are you aiming to help your body detoxify, recover from a liver condition, or simply want to give your liver a nutrient boost? Determining this can help you choose supplements with ingredients that targetyour specific goals. For instance, a milk thistle supplement is a great choice for supporting liver detoxification.
It’s also essential to consider the supplement’s purity and quality, as this can affect how it benefits your body. Low-quality supplements might contain additives, sugars, chemical extracts or botanicals with pesticides that can have a detrimental impact on the liver. To avoid this, opt for supplements that use high-quality ingredients and extracts, such as our 100% natural milk thistle tincture.
When selecting a supplement, consider any allergies, sensitivities or health requirements you might have. It’s always best to check the ingredients label to ensure that the supplement doesn’t contain any allergens that can affect you, such as gluten or dairy. And if you suffer from any underlying conditions or are taking medications, consult your healthcare practitioner before adding a new supplement to your regimen. Doing this can help you make the best decision when supporting your liver health.
Lastly, think about the supplement form that you prefer. For those who are elderly or dislike swallowing tablets, taking liver support tinctures may be preferable. Further, tinctures help the body absorb the supplement faster and more easily. On the other hand, some find capsules and tinctures too strong and prefer gentler herbal remedies such as teas. Whichever method you choose, being consistent and supporting your body from within can help you regain your health and vibrancy.
Liver support supplements such as milk thistle and other natural extracts can complement your liver and support your health and recovery journey. It’s more important than ever that we take steps to care for our bodies, from the inside as well as the outside. That’s why taking liver support supplements can be an invaluable way to protect and cleanse the liver while boosting our overall health.
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Hanna SillitoeDec 23, 2023
A Guide to Using Milk Thistle Tincture: Dosage, Usage, and Expected Results
Milk thistle has a long history of alleviating liver problems, fatigue and helping the body detoxify. That’s one reason why I decided to harness its benefits in a powerful tincture. I formulated this natural tincture to help the body heal from the inside and work alongside our natural processes. This article will explore how you can maximise the benefits of our milk thistle tincture, from dosage and frequency to expected results. Read on to learn how milk thistle can support your organs and help you achieve your wellness goals.
How to Take Milk Thistle for the Best Results
Although there are plenty of supplement forms available, milk thistle is most effective as a tincture. It’s easier to swallow as a liquid, and the body can absorb it far more effectively in this state. Our milk thistle tincture uses only pure botanical extracts and a traditional extraction procedure into ethanol.
We extract the Silybum marianum (milk thistle) seeds into medical alcohol to guarantee the best quality, preserving the milk thistle’s beneficial plant compounds. Plus, our locally-sourced milk thistle is the finest in the UK, recognised globally for its purity and quality. We only use organic herbs in our tincture, ensuring that it’s pesticide-free and perfectly safe for consumption.
Our tincture is easy to ingest and simple to incorporate into your routine. You can take it at night or in the morning, but it’s best to do so on an empty stomach. This allows the body to quickly absorb the tincture into the bloodstream without it becoming diluted or mixed with food. You can take the drops directly, squeezing the dropper under the tongue for quicker absorption. If you find the taste too bitter or strong, not to worry! Simply add the milk thistle drops to some water, tea or juice to dilute the flavour.
For best results, complement your milk thistle intake with a healthy diet and lifestyle. Factors such as excessive alcohol, processed food, and smoking can counteract the tincture’s benefits and cause more problems for the body. On the other hand, you can support your internal organs even more by eating a healthy and varied diet alongside our milk thistle supplement.
How Much Milk Thistle Should I Take?
We recommend taking 30 drops of our tincture twice each day. For instance, you could take 30 drops in the morning before breakfast and 30 drops at night before bed. Since milk thistle is a natural botanical and herbal remedy, it’s safe to take for months at a time until you notice results. If you have a particularly sensitive constitution, are elderly or need to avoid alcohol, you can evaporate the ethanol from the tincture. You can do this by adding the drops to boiling water for ten minutes and consuming it as usual afterwards.
We don’t recommend this product for under 18s. However, younger children may take it if your healthcare practitioner has approved usage beyond our suggestions. Still, in these cases, we highly recommend evaporating the alcohol. Please ensure you consult your doctor if you have any uncertainties, serious underlying health issues, or contraindications.
Our milk thistle tincture is pure and is equal to the potency of the herb itself. While we take pride in offering this powerful supplement, it's important to remember that no natural product is a substitute for a normal, varied diet, as well as a healthy lifestyle. That’s why we encourage you to approach taking supplements as a complementary aspect of your wellness journey.
What Results Can I Expect?
Our tincture is a natural remedy extracted from the milk thistle herb, known for its antiviral, anti- inflammatory and antioxidant potential. Since it’s an all-natural solution free from additional preservatives or ingredients, it won’t cause any side effects such as drowsiness or weight gain.
Some wonder if milk thistle is bad for the liver or kidneys, and the answer is a resounding no. In fact, it’s a well-known botanical remedy that helps both these organs heal and function properly. With its concentrated form, the tincture delivers the essential compounds found in milk thistle to support liver and kidney health and promote overall well-being.
Our high-stress and polluted environments put immense stress on our bodies, leading to accumulations of toxins, increased health conditions and extreme fatigue. However, our tincture can help you combat this by supporting your body’s natural cleansing and detoxification pathways. Milk thistle can help your kidneys, liver, digestive and lymphatic systems clear themselves and eliminate waste more effectively - leading to better wellness all around.
Additionally, when our bodies successfully remove toxins and harmful elements, it improves our immunity. Healing the gut and liver can also lessen problems throughout the body, including skin issues such as psoriasis. Still, this cleansing and healing process may take some time, depending on the individual.
Many of our customers have experienced quick relief from tiredness, fatigue and gut problems after taking the tincture. This is because milk thistle can alleviate inflammation and help the body get rid of toxins, which can elevate energy levels. You may notice less IBS or digestive issues early on, as well as an energy boost. Our tincture may take longer to work for those with skin conditions, especially if you have been suffering from them for a long time. Healing from within may take months or longer, so it’s important to be consistent with the tincture and healthy lifestyle habits.
My milk thistle tincture is part of my holistic approach to healing the body and maintaining optimum health. The benefits of milk thistle extend beyond helping the liver - its wonderful properties can boost all our detoxification processes, strengthen our immune response and improve our energy. Incorporating this tincture into your daily routine can help you target specific health concerns while promoting a renewed sense of vitality and well-being.
Discover its incredible benefits for yourself by reading our glowing customer reviews. Please feel free to reach out with any questions via email at support@hannasillitoe.com.
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