March 18th is the 24th National Liver Love Day in China. The National Liver Care Day is set up to mobilize the masses, widely carry out scientific knowledge on liver disease prevention and ensure people's health against the background that the incidence rate of hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver and other liver diseases is increasing year by year in China, and people's health is facing serious threats.
Since 2001, there has been an annual theme of loving the liver, and this year's theme is "Early prevention and treatment, stay away from liver cirrhosis". Every year on March 18th, various forms of liver loving science popularization public welfare activities are carried out across the country to enhance public awareness of protecting the liver. Currently, more and more people are choosing oral products to help protect their liver. This article will interpret from three aspects: liver protection trends, liver protection raw materials, and liver protection products.
01
Strong demand in the liver protection and liver protection market
According to data from Mordor Intelligence, the prevalence of liver diseases such as liver cancer, fatty liver, severe cirrhosis, and obesity among the global population is constantly increasing, and the liver protection and preservation market is expected to experience rapid growth. The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or fatty liver disease is 20% in the US population and 11.5% to 46% in the global population. Therefore, the proportion of such patients is expected to increase the market demand for liver supplements.
In addition, the number of patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes is increasing, and the risk of obesity with fatty liver is also increasing. According to the 2022 European Regional Obesity Report by the World Health Organization, obesity and overweight have reached epidemic levels in the European region, affecting nearly 60% of adults. The increasingly common phenomenon of obesity will also increase people's demand for liver health products, thereby promoting the growth of the liver health product market.
In China, the growth rate of liver protection products is also very fast. According to market intelligence from Magic Mirror, in September 2022, the sales of liver protection and nourishing products on Taobao and Tmall platforms increased by 329.7% year-on-year. According to Mordor Intelligence data, from a global perspective, the compound annual growth rate of the liver health product market from 2019 to 2029 is 5.5%. The fastest growing market is in North America, and the largest market is in the Asia Pacific region. Oral health food liver protection has become a major consensus among global consumers.
02
What are the ingredients for liver protection?
Shiyanhui searched for registered health foods related to "liver" on the special food information query platform and found that as of March 8th, a total of 676 products were listed. Common liver protection ingredients in domestic health products include kudzu root, lingzhi, rhodiola, and ginseng.
Kudzu root: Kudzu root is widely cultivated in Asia and used as medicine and food, with a long history. There are various natural active products in kudzu root, including puerarin, daidzein, ketone, genistein, and soy saponins. Numerous studies have shown that various natural active products of Pueraria lobata can protect against different types of liver diseases by regulating oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and lipid metabolism.
Ganoderma lucidum: Alcoholic liver injury is mainly caused by long-term excessive drinking, and alcoholic liver has become a common threat to humanity worldwide. Lingzhi has a significant beneficial effect on liver function and lipid metabolism. Mouse experiments have shown that oral administration of Ganoderma lucidum acid A (one of the main triterpenoid compounds in Ganoderma lucidum) can significantly inhibit the abnormal elevation of liver index, serum total triglycerides, and cholesterol in mice with alcohol intake, protecting the liver from alcohol induced excessive lipid accumulation and pathological changes.
Rhodiola: Rhodiola is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Sedum genus in the Sedum family. The salidroside extracted from Rhodiola has been proven to have protective effects on myocardial injury, liver disease, renal fibrosis, and other organ diseases, as well as neuroprotective effects. Research has shown that Rhodiola can significantly inhibit the release of liver pro-inflammatory cytokines.
According to SPINS' sales analysis of natural food and specialty food retailers in the United States, silymarin, liver extract, dandelion, and other ingredients are commonly used in liver health products on the US market. When searching for liver protection products on large shopping websites in Japan, ingredients such as turmeric and sulfoglucoside from radish are more common.
Silymarin: Silymarin is a member of the Asteraceae family and is a medicinal herb with a history of 2000 years. Silymarin is the most extensively studied plant in the treatment of liver diseases. Silymarin is an extract from silymarin seeds. Clinical data shows that silymarin can reduce oxidative stress and subsequent cytotoxicity, thereby protecting intact liver cells or cells that have not been irreversibly damaged. Silymarin can also reduce liver damage caused by acetaminophen, carbon tetrachloride, radiation, phenylhydrazine, alcohol, cold ischemia, and Amanita.
Dandelion: According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, dandelion can clear heat and detoxify, reduce swelling and disperse nodules, and promote diuresis and diuresis. The EU's evaluation report documented some animal experiments and observed that the hot water extract of dandelion whole grass may have liver protective effects. Studies have also found that dandelion has a potential protective effect on ethanol induced liver injury in mice. Supplementing pregnant and lactating rats with dandelion can reduce oxidative stress and liver damage.
Turmeric: Research has found that the hot water extract of turmeric can prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating fatty acid intake. In addition, curcumin in turmeric can inhibit NF by- κ B pathway to reduce radiation-induced liver damage. Curcumin has also been proven to have antioxidant, anti fibrotic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Turmeric can reduce the burden on the liver.
In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that many natural and healthy ingredients are also potential sources for preventing liver diseases, such as grapes, blackcurrants, plums, pomegranates, French beans, tomatoes, asparagus, garlic, ginger, soybeans, rice bran, and some edible large fungi. The active ingredients of these natural products can inhibit the development of liver diseases in various ways.
03
Application Cases of Liver Protection Products
According to market intelligence from Magic Mirror, consumer purchasing decisions are mainly influenced by seven factors: the effectiveness of product efficacy, the palatability of taste and taste, the portability of consumption, product cost-effectiveness, brand awareness, specific active ingredients, and product content. Among them, the effectiveness of product efficacy is the most important concern for consumers, and many businesses achieve the effect of improving efficacy by compounding various liver protection ingredients.
North America:
The Natures Craft brand has launched a liver supplement consisting of silymarin, silymarin extract, artichoke leaf extract, dandelion leaf, turmeric root, and curcumin. Mainly used for liver cleaning, detoxification, and repair.
The Nutriissa brand has launched Cycle Support supplements, which are high-quality liver detoxification and organ defense supplements for athletes in extreme sports such as bodybuilding and weightlifting. The lifestyle habits of extreme bodybuilders may cause excessive pressure on the liver. Cycle Support supplements can promote effective flushing of harmful substances (such as toxins, heavy metals, and chemicals) in the liver, allowing the liver to perform at its best. The main ingredients of this product include thistle, hawthorn berries, sawn palms, etc.
The Plug has launched a plant-based electrolyte repair beverage, mainly composed of kudzu root, artemisia, honeysuckle, dandelion, etc. This product can help people quickly eliminate liver toxins from the body, while improving the digestive and immune systems.
Europe: The German brand Doppelherz has launched Silymarin Liver Protection Tablets. The main ingredients of this product include silymarin, artichoke, and turmeric. This product helps with normal fat metabolism and maintains normal liver function, helping to reduce fatigue.
Australia: Swisse is an Australian health product brand with high global awareness. Swisse Silymarin Liver Detoxification Supplement is a well-known product that can alleviate indigestion, bloating, spasms, and stomach bloating, helping to detoxify and repair the liver. Its main components include silymarin, turmeric, and artichoke extract.
Japan: Most liver protection products on the Japanese market are linked to "sobering up", and the main added functional ingredients are turmeric and sulfur-containing glucosinolates. For example, there is a health supplement in Japan that contains turmeric. The main ingredients include turmeric extract powder (containing 95% curcumin), corn starch, and shellac. Support those who drink heavily to reduce liver burden.
Domestic: According to market intelligence from Magic Mirror, the population in China with a demand for liver protection and nourishment is concentrated in the age group of 21-35, accounting for nearly 70% of the population. Women are the core group for liver protection and nourishment, accounting for 64.6%; Men have a lower demand for liver health, and brands can strengthen market education. However, both male alcohol consumption and the proportion of people staying up late are higher than females.
Most of the liver protection products sold domestically are mainly liver protection ingredients listed in the health food ingredient catalog (such as kudzu root and Rhodiola). However, in recent years, some businesses have started using mainstream foreign ingredients such as silymarin. Each brand focuses on promoting its effects and scenarios, such as sobering up and anti fatigue. The main application scenarios include overtime, socializing, staying up late, etc.
Tang Chenbei Jian has launched a sobering and liver awakening tablet, which mainly contains active ingredients such as milk grass thistle seeds, kudzu flowers, turmeric, vitamins B1, and B6. The product details page introduces that Jiejiu Xinggan tablets not only support natural liver purification, but also alleviate hangovers and reduce digestive burden.
Jiangzhong brand has launched a liver pure tablet, mainly made from extracts of snake grapes. It has an auxiliary protective effect on chemical liver injury. Suitable for people staying up late, working overtime, socializing, drinking, and other scenarios.
Shanxianpin brand has launched a artichoke plant-based beverage, which mainly consists of artichoke, kudzu, and turmeric. This product claims to effectively alleviate skin dullness, mental fatigue, and other problems caused by staying up late, getting hot, and liver damage.
04
Summary
The liver is one of the main organs in the human body, but many people do not realize the importance of liver health until there are problems with the liver. In addition to taking liver protection products, people can also take many preventive measures to help maintain liver health. For example, controlling alcohol consumption, exercising regularly, and paying attention to a healthy diet. In addition, sufficient sleep and hydration can also provide the liver with opportunities for self detoxification and repair. Only by taking multiple measures in daily life can the liver maintain health and function well.
