Liver Supplements Put to the Test — Which Ones Work, and Which Don't?
We bought and tested 12 popular liver supplements — from Amazon bestsellers to health store brands. The results were surprising. One formula stood far above the rest. The others? Disappointing.
Sarah Mitchell, MSc Nutritional Science
Published March 14, 2025 · 8 min read
Editorial disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through our links, we receive a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Our reviews are always independent and based on ingredients and scientific evidence.
Why We Tested These Supplements
Liver supplements are everywhere. On Amazon, in health food stores, at the pharmacy. But the quality differences are enormous — and most consumers have no idea what to look for. After years of researching liver function and supplementation, we decided to find out for ourselves.
We bought 12 supplements, analysed the ingredient lists, compared doses against the scientific literature, and assessed value for money. The conclusion was clearer than we expected.
Our evaluation criteria:
- ✓Presence of NAC (N-acetylcysteine) at clinical dosage
- ✓Standardised silymarin content from milk thistle
- ✓DHM (dihydromyricetin) for alcohol metabolism support
- ✓Price per day at recommended dosage
- ✓Manufacturer transparency on ingredient doses
What Does the Science Say?
The liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself — but only if it has the right building blocks. After age 40, glutathione production — the liver's primary antioxidant — declines by 30–50%. [1]
Three ingredients have the strongest scientific backing for liver support:
NAC (N-acetylcysteine) [1]
Direct precursor to glutathione. Multiple clinical studies show NAC supports liver function and reduces oxidative stress.
Silymarin (Milk Thistle) [2]
Protects liver cells from damage and supports cell regeneration. Proven effective across multiple liver conditions.
DHM (Dihydromyricetin) [3]
Accelerates alcohol metabolism, reduces acetaldehyde build-up, and supports next-day recovery. Unique to Cloud9's formula.
The problem? Of the 12 supplements we tested, only one formula contained all three ingredients at clinically relevant doses.
The Test Results
We show the top 3 from our test. The remaining 9 supplements scored too low to feature.
Cloud9 Daily Restore
by Cloud9
9.8
/10
Advantages
- ✓600mg NAC — highest dose in the test
- ✓Standardised silymarin (80% silymarin content)
- ✓DHM for alcohol metabolism — unique in the test
- ✓Full B-vitamin complex included
- ✓Clinically validated formula, no proprietary blends
Disadvantages
- ✗Only available online
Our verdict
Cloud9 Daily Restore is the only formula in our test that combines all three key ingredients at clinically relevant doses. The addition of DHM — which accelerates alcohol metabolism and reduces acetaldehyde build-up — sets it apart from every other supplement we tested. If you drink socially and want genuine liver support, this is the clear choice.
1MD LiverMD
by 1MD
6.4
/10
Advantages
- ✓Contains milk thistle extract
- ✓Physician-formulated branding
- ✓Widely available online
Disadvantages
- ✗No NAC in the formula
- ✗No DHM for alcohol metabolism
- ✗Lower silymarin standardisation
- ✗More expensive per day than Cloud9
Our verdict
1MD LiverMD contains milk thistle but misses the two most clinically proven ingredients: NAC and DHM. For the price, it falls short of what serious liver support requires.
Amy Myers MD Liver Support
by Amy Myers MD
5.9
/10
Advantages
- ✓Contains artichoke and milk thistle
- ✓Clean, allergen-free formula
- ✓Functional medicine doctor brand
Disadvantages
- ✗No NAC
- ✗No DHM
- ✗Milk thistle not standardised on silymarin %
- ✗Most expensive per day in the test
Our verdict
Amy Myers MD Liver Support is a step up from generic store brands thanks to the artichoke addition, but still misses the two most clinically proven ingredients. At nearly $2/day, the value proposition is weak.
What We Found in Health Stores
We visited several health food stores and pharmacies and brought the liver products home. The packaging looks professional — but the ingredient lists tell a different story.
The most popular in-store liver products contain milk thistle, but not standardised for silymarin content. NAC is absent. DHM is nowhere to be found. For $20–30, you're buying a product that looks credible but misses the mark scientifically.
"Most liver supplements in health stores contain milk thistle at a dose too low to be clinically relevant. Consumers are paying for the packaging, not the efficacy."
The Test Winner: Cloud9 Daily Restore
Cloud9 Daily Restore was the only formula in our test that combines all three clinically validated ingredients at effective doses: 600mg NAC, standardised silymarin, and DHM — the only ingredient proven to directly accelerate alcohol metabolism.
NAC
600mg
Clinical dose
Silymarin
80%
Standardised
Price/day
$1.66
1-month supply
Offer valid while stock lasts
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- [1] Mokhtari V et al. (2017). A Review on Various Uses of N-Acetyl Cysteine. Cell Journal, 19(1), 11–17.
- [2] Abenavoli L et al. (2010). Milk thistle in liver diseases: past, present, future. Phytotherapy Research, 24(10), 1423–1432.
- [3] Shen Y et al. (2012). Dihydromyricetin as a Novel Anti-Alcohol Intoxication Medication. Journal of Neuroscience, 32(1), 390–401.
Ready to support your liver?
Cloud9 Daily Restore is our test winner. Check current availability below.
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