Who really needs hepatoprotectors

What are hepatoprotectors

Hepatoprotectors are drugs and dietary supplements with chemicals that are supposed to protect the liver. This group of drugs includes a lot, for example:

• essential phospholipids;
• ademethionine, also known as adenosylmethionine, S-adenosylmethionine;
• milk thistle and its active ingredient silymarin;
• turmeric and curcumin;
• artichoke;
• glycyrrhizic acid (found in licorice root);
• acetylcysteine;
• ursodeoxyfolic acid.

They are taken for the prevention of diseases or the treatment of existing ones.

Do hepatoprotectors help the liver

Not really. Research results are very conflicting. Sometimes scientists come to the conclusion that the drugs help. And sometimes do not find no significant difference from placebo.

One could say that it just needs to be further studied. But hepatoprotectors are not some new drugs. Therefore, if there really was something to grab on to, scientists would have already done it.

It must also be said that in Russia many hepatoprotectors

considered medicines and they are actively recommended by doctors. But in other countries this is practically not used. At the same time, liver diseases are not rare in our country.

How do hepatoprotectors work

"Liver protection" is a very streamlined wording. It seems that these medicines should neutralize poisons and grow a new young beautiful organ, but everything is much more modest.

• milk thistle, turmeric, artichoke possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Essential phospholipids work as patches for the membranes of damaged cells and are involved in the metabolism of fats.
• S‑adenosylmethionine several restores damaged cells, improves metabolism throughout the body and the liver including, improves the outflow of bile.
• Glycyrrhizin slows down inflammation and damage to the liver, reduces the risk of neoplasms.

So they cannot significantly improve the condition of the liver in some disease or really protect against disease. Unless slightly push back fibrosis.

Can hepatoprotectors harm

Yes. Hepatoprotectors, like any other drugs and supplements, have side effects.

S‑adenosylmethionine can call gastrointestinal disorders and allergic reaction. But since it affects not only the liver, but also the body as a whole (including the nervous system), its drugs do not combine well with drugs such as:

• antidepressants;
• remedies for Parkinson's disease;
• amphetamine and other narcotic substances;
• St. John's wort;
• some antibiotics (daptomycin);
• some cough medicines.

And S-adenosylmethionine should not be taken by people with bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, depression, Parkinson's disease. And in some countries it permitted for veterinary use only.

Essential phospholipids can also call diarrhea, indigestion and an allergic reaction.

Even milk thistle grass (much more vegetable and safer!) can not only lead to standard nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and itching, but also:

• sharply lower sugar, which is dangerous for people with diabetes;
• affect the level of estrogen, and this is dangerous for endometriosis and tumors of the breast, ovaries, uterus;
• cause deadly anaphylactic shock.

It also interacts with hepatitis C medications and prevents them from working as they should. So the potential harm clearly outweighs the benefit.

Who needs hepatoprotectors

Nobody. They can slightly improve some processes in the liver. But for the prevention of diseases, there is nothing better than a healthy lifestyle. And for the treatment of hepatitis, cancer and other diseases, there are working drugs.

Compensate with the help of hepatoprotectors the love of junk food and alcohol will definitely not work.

If you really want to spend money on health, take a closer look at olive oil, fresh vegetables, fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Healthy eating really helps liver, heart and other bodies.