Doctors point out the 'culprit' causing progressive liver deterioration.

Many people believe that "liver tonics" help detoxify the liver after drinking alcohol, but experts say there is no clear evidence that these products can restore or protect the liver when drinking alcohol.

A healthy liver performs its vital functions well, such as metabolizing nutrients, storing energy, producing bile, processing medications, and participating in the elimination of harmful substances from the body. Photo: Unsplash .

After drinking sessions, many people rush to find "liver-cooling" drinks, "detox" medications, or dietary supplements advertised to "strengthen the liver," believing that simply taking a few pills a day will restore their liver's health.

However, in an interview with Tri Thức - Znews, Master of Science, Doctor Duong Thi Phuong, Department of Nutrition, University Medical Center - Linh Dam branch, stated that concepts such as "liver tonic," "liver cooling," or "liver detoxification" appear frequently in advertisements for functional foods and health care products. Nevertheless, these are not clearly defined professional medical terms.

"A healthy liver performs its vital functions well, such as metabolizing nutrients, storing energy, producing bile, processing medications, and participating in the elimination of harmful substances from the body. At the same time, the liver does not show any long-term damage or progress into serious diseases such as hepatitis, fatty liver disease, fibrosis, or cirrhosis," said Dr. Phuong.

The "culprit" that causes liver damage

According to MSc. Dr. Duong Thi Phuong, one of the common causes of liver damage today is overweight, obesity, metabolic disorders, and an unbalanced diet.

When the body consistently consumes more energy than it needs, especially from foods high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks, or saturated fats, the excess energy can be metabolized and stored in the liver as fat. Over time, this can lead to fatty liver disease, particularly in overweight or obese individuals, those with prediabetes, diabetes, dyslipidemia, or low levels of physical activity.

In addition, alcohol remains one of the leading causes of cirrhosis. Prolonged alcohol consumption causes continuous damage to liver cells, leading to inflammation, fibrosis, and an increased risk of developing cirrhosis.

Alcohol remains one of the leading causes of cirrhosis. Photo: Freepik.

According to MSc. Dr. Duong Thi Phuong, a worrying current trend is that many people self-medicate with traditional herbal remedies or dietary supplements for extended periods without a doctor's prescription.

Many products of unknown origin may contain ingredients that are not fully disclosed, active ingredients that do not match the labeling, or multiple combinations of ingredients that are difficult to control. Prolonged use, high doses, or simultaneous use of multiple products may increase the risk of drug interactions and liver damage in some individuals.

The liver's constant need to metabolize these substances can overload its function and cause damage over time. "Even dietary supplements, which many people think are harmless, can actually become a burden on the liver if used unnecessarily or for extended periods," Dr. Phuong warned.

Do "liver detoxification pills" really help improve liver health?

According to nutrition experts, the market currently has many products advertised with the benefits of "liver health," "liver cooling," and "liver detoxification." To date, there is insufficient high-quality clinical evidence to show that products advertised as "liver detoxification" can improve liver health in normal individuals, restore liver function after alcohol consumption, or protect the liver if users continue harmful habits.

"The liver is the organ responsible for metabolizing and eliminating harmful substances from the body. Therefore, simply taking 'liver detoxification' medication does not necessarily mean the liver will become healthier," Dr. Phuong explained.

Notably, some herbal products or dietary supplements may also be linked to liver damage. This risk is higher when users consume products of unknown origin, use multiple types simultaneously, use them for extended periods, increase dosages without consulting a doctor, or have underlying liver disease.

Dr. Duong Thi Phuong, MD, Department of Nutrition, University Medical Center - Linh Dam campus. Photo: Provided by the doctor.

According to Dr. Phuong, only products that have undergone clear clinical research, have reliable scientific data, and are published by independent, reputable agencies should be considered for use in certain cases.

According to MSc. Dr. Duong Thi Phuong, the most important factor in treating liver disease is not taking "liver-boosting" medication, but rather identifying and correctly addressing the underlying cause of the disease.

For example, with fatty liver disease related to metabolic disorders, patients need to control their weight, adjust their diet, limit sugar, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats, increase their intake of green vegetables and fiber, and maintain regular physical activity.

"When patients lose weight appropriately, reduce saturated fat, sugar, and starch intake in their daily diet, and control blood sugar and blood lipids effectively, fatty liver disease can significantly improve."

Conversely, if you continue to consume excess calories, drink alcohol, and exercise little, while relying solely on "liver-boosting" medications, the chances of improvement will be very limited.

Similarly, with hepatitis, treatment must be based on the specific cause. If the hepatitis is caused by a virus such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C, the patient needs to be examined by a specialist and treated, with monitoring of viral load, liver function, and the degree of fibrosis.

If the underlying cause of hepatitis is not addressed, taking liver support supplements is unlikely to yield significant results.

To protect the liver, doctors recommend that people limit alcohol consumption, control their weight, reduce foods high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats, and maintain regular physical activity.

In addition to diet, people should proactively control blood lipids and blood sugar, and screen for hepatitis B and C if they have risk factors. People should also avoid self-medicating with traditional herbal remedies or dietary supplements for extended periods, especially if they have elevated liver enzymes, underlying liver disease, or are taking medication for chronic illnesses.

Source: https://znews.vn/bac-si-chi-ra-thu-pham-khien-gan-ngay-cang-suy-yeu-post1654961.html