The ingredient story behind Liver Love
When Dr Libby develops a formulation, she doesn't begin with a list of trendy ingredients or what's popular at the time. She begins with a much simpler question:
What does the body actually need?
From there, she looks for foods and medicinal herbs that can meaningfully support those natural processes. Sometimes that leads to ingredients with centuries of traditional use. Sometimes it leads to nutrients backed by emerging research.
And sometimes, it leads to broccoli. Not just any broccoli, though. The broccoli extract in Liver Love was chosen because of its naturally high glucoraphanin content, its consistency from batch to batch and the research supporting its role in the body's own detoxification pathways.
Why broccoli?
Broccoli naturally contains compounds called glucosinolates, including one called glucoraphanin. During digestion, your body converts glucoraphanin into sulforaphane, a plant compound that's been extensively researched for its ability to support the body's own detoxification systems. That conversion is one of the reasons we chose it. Rather than supplying sulforaphane directly, broccoli provides its natural precursor, allowing your body to do what it already knows how to do. We believe that's a smarter way to formulate. Not bypassing the body's processes, but supporting them. Nature delivers it this way – we follow that lead.
Why this broccoli?
We encourage you to eat broccoli, of course! But when Dr Libby was developing Liver Love, she wanted more than your average broccoli in more than average concentrations. She wanted a broccoli extract that had earned its place.
The extract we selected:
✔️ Comes from a carefully chosen broccoli variety naturally high in glucoraphanin
✔️ Is standardised to deliver concentrated, consistent levels in every batch
✔️ Is complete with full traceability from crop to finished extract.
✔️ Is an extract with meaningful research behind it
It’s also an extract with research behind it. That’s meaningful. There’s a biochemical pathway in the body that can create “risky” substances during a necessary process. This extract has been shown to offer protection from the creation of these risky intermediates, enhancing the detoxification and efficient elimination of specific pollutants.
To add to its detox-supporting effects, another study was done looking at the impact of this broccoli extract on the expression of the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) gene (a family of enzymes that neutralise reactive oxygen species to protect cells from oxidative stress) and found it offers significant oxidative protection. That’s immensely helpful for everything from disease prevention to everyday detoxification and the glow of our skin.
Supporting the liver from multiple angles
Broccoli may be the ingredient that catches your attention, but no single ingredient can support every aspect of liver function. No ingredient for Liver Love was chosen in isolation. Some protect the liver cells from pollutants. Others support natural detoxification processes. Others still support digestion, offer antioxidant activity, or promote healthy bile flow. Together, they create a formulation that works with the body's natural processes rather than trying to replace them.
Broccoli extract
Why it’s there
Provides glucoraphanin, the natural precursor to sulforaphane, in a concentrated and
consistent amount.
Why it matters
Supports the liver's own detoxification pathways by helping activate its natural
detoxification systems.
St Mary’s thistle
Why it’s there
Protects liver cells from damage from pollutants. Traditionally used in Western herbal
medicine to support healthy liver function.
Why it matters
Helps maintain healthy liver function, making it a natural partner to the broccoli extract.
Globe artichoke
Why it’s there
Traditionally used to support healthy bile flow and digestive function.
Why it matters
Healthy bile flow is essential for the detoxification and elimination of a host of different substances including pesticides, cholesterol and numerous hormones once they have done their job – you want them to leave the body rather than be recycled. Globe artichoke also supports fat digestion, highlighting the close relationship between digestion and liver health.
Turmeric
Why it’s there
Included for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and traditional use in
supporting liver health.
Why it matters
Provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support while the liver carries out its many
everyday functions.
Gentian
Why it’s there
Traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to support healthy digestive function.
Why it matters
A classic bitter herb traditionally used to stimulate digestive secretions before a meal,
supporting digestion as part of the bigger picture. It is the most bitter herb we know of on
Earth. Bitterness is exceptional for detoxification.
Better together
Every ingredient was chosen because it complements the others, creating a formulation that supports the body's natural systems from multiple angles. That's the difference between an ingredient list and a formulation. It's a philosophy you'll find throughout the OnBlends™ range. Not chasing shortcuts. Supporting the foundations that have been there all along.
