Vital Nutrients is a well-known supplement brand and therefore we were excited to investigate their formulation of a liver support product. There are two versions of this popular supplement that Vital Nutrients sells – Liver Support I, and Liver Support II which would seem to be the newer one of the two. While Liver Support II may be more enticing to consumers due to its updated formula, it’s not as readily available to purchase at the current time, and the added Picrorhiza ingredient was not one of our must-have ingredients, so instead we chose to focus on reviewing Liver Support I.
Vital Nutrients Liver Support contains a variety of herbal extracts including Dandelion Root, Artichoke Leaf, Milk Thistle and more, as well as Choline Bitartrate and Methionine. It claims to support liver function by protecting the liver cells from free radical damage and supporting the liver’s efforts to remove chemicals, drugs, alcohol and other toxins.
We were happy to see that this product is manufactured in the USA and takes quality and safety measures very seriously, but it’s ultimately the formula that gets you the results, so does this product have what it takes?
In order to discern whether or not a supplement is effective, we first look at the ingredients found in each serving. In the case of Vital Nutrients Liver Support, a daily serving size is 2 capsules. It contains 200mg of the main four herbal ingredients, namely Dandelion Powder Root Extract, Artichoke Extract, Curcumin and Milk Thistle Seed Extract. We were happy that the company chose to be very clear about the percentages each of those ingredients were standardized to, as this is a good indication of the quality of the ingredients and lets the consumer know exactly what they’re getting. We would have liked to see a greater quantity of Milk Thistle Seed Extract, however, because clinical studies have shown a requirement for more than 200mg, and because that’s the most widely researched plant with positive benefits for the liver.
Two ingredients are contained in this formula with an amount of 80mg. The first, Schisandra Berry, is a fruit extract that has a long history of use in Chinese medicine, partly for its properties to help treat liver conditions. This ingredient might be effective, but clinical studies were inconclusive and most of them were not conducted on humans, so we don’t advocate adding this to an ideal liver health supplement. The second, Rehmannia, is a plant whose roots have also been used for thousands of years in China for their wide range of health benefits, one of which is supporting the functions of a healthy liver. Again, the scientific evidence to support the addition of this ingredient to a liver health formula is lacking, hence it doesn’t appear on our “5 Things To Look For” list.
We were pleased to see the inclusion of Choline Bitartrate in the list of ingredients as it is essential to help prevent fat and cholesterol buildup in the liver. However, at a dose of 80mg, it’s only providing 15% of the daily requirement, unlike the 125mg found in our number 1 product, giving 23% of the daily value. The last ingredient included in this formula is (L-Form) Methionine, an amino acid and antioxidant that our body uses to make proteins. It may protect the body from harmful substances such as heavy metals, and as such, is commonly taken to treat liver disorders along with other uses.
After looking over the ingredients, we read up on some reviews of Vital Nutrients Liver Support to see what people were saying. The customer testimonials seem to be mainly positive and translate into general customer satisfaction. Based on what we read, this product cleanses and supports the liver in a gentle but effective way, helps with acne, jaundice, processing hormones, and digestion, and it detoxes without nasty side effects. Customers were also pleased with fast shipping times and the sugar-free formula. A few people mentioned that the supplements did not have any noticeable effects on them, and we noticed one who received bottles with only one month left on the expiry date – something to be aware of.
In general, this product is marketed as natural and safe. There are no mentioned side effects and our research did not reveal any harmful ingredients. As with any new supplement or diet change, we always advise talking to your doctor first, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have any pre-existing health conditions or are taking other medications. Supplements work differently for everyone and the effects vary between individuals so it is always a good idea to run any health changes by a professional.
There are certifications which we usually look for, such as cGMP and non-GMO, which are not mentioned in association with this product, neither on the label itself nor on the Vital Nutrients website, so that aspect was disappointing.
However, the product label does state that it is certified by independent testing in U.S. labs, which is reassuring, and there is an entire section of the company website that is dedicated to the quality of all their supplements. Transparency of information is definitely something that we highly approve of highly, and here the company has excelled with their impressively detailed information. Vital Nutrients have exceeded FDA requirements by performing a significant number of additional, rigorous tests on both raw ingredients and finished products at third-party, independently certified labs. They also provide further analysis on exactly which tests they conduct, such as microbiology contamination, rancidity markers and heavy metals testing, which is very informative and helpful.
Vital Nutrients has the right idea by formulating Liver Support with many of the key ingredients to help support the liver’s vital functions. We were pleased that it includes Artichoke Extract in its optimum recommended dose. We were also happy to see labeling with all the relevant details clearly stated, with no attempts at disguising quantities. However, the specific concentration of Milk Thistle Extract and Choline Bitartrate is lower than we would have expected from a well-known manufacturer, and we would have also improved this product’s efficacy by adding a bioavailability enhancer.
While Liver Support boasts premium quality and is produced by a reputable company with outstanding testing facilities and credentials, there are no certifications listed on the product itself and, naturally, we would have liked to see some, making it easier and quicker for customers to verify this information. The product is labeled as vegetarian, and is free from dairy and egg protein, but does not state that it is suitable for vegans, so customers with this dietary restriction should be aware that this supplement will not meet their needs.
Finally, this product can be purchased at a reasonable price and comes with a return policy. Unfortunately, the return policy is only partial, applying to new, unopened bottles that were purchased directly via the manufacturer’s website. Additionally, returns will not be accepted after 30 days and are subject to a 25% restocking fee.
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