But when it comes to using these botanicals to “optimize” or “cleanse” the liver of an otherwise healthy person? There’s no strong evidence. “No single ingredient in isolation, no matter how healthy, will cure disease, heal an organ, cleanse a liver, or make you young again,” Pasquariello says. “Liver health comes from a variety of lifestyle and diet choices.”
Dose also uses what’s known as a proprietary blend, which means consumers have no idea how much of anything is actually inside. To an RD, that’s a red flag. “Supplements like this often contain ingredients in such high quantities it becomes dangerous…or in quantities that are far too low to exert any benefits,” Pasquariello explains. “Or in amounts that are a total mystery, as is the case here.”
According to Pasquariello, more concentrated versions of health-boosting ingredients are not always better. So if you’re interested in exploring the benefits of turmeric, dandelion, or ginger, you might want to start by cooking with them.
Who might not be a fit, according to RDs?
The bigger issue, Pasquariello stresses, is that supplements like this often get used to compensate for bad habits. “The ultimate pitfall is that people will use supplements like this to overcompensate for a poor diet, lack of exercise, or habits that damage their health,” she says. And because the brand points to its “clinical studies” in its marketing, suggesting shifts in liver enzymes like AST and ALT, she worries that some users could be lulled into a false sense of progress. (The study in question was commissioned by Dose and included a small pool of 30 participants with liver issues.)
For anyone experiencing real liver issues, using this kind of supplement instead of seeking proper medical support could delay proper diagnosis or treatment, Pasquariello says. So if you suspect something is off with your liver? “Seek medical guidance, not a supplement,” she advises.
My experience with Dose
I’ve been starting my day with “Dose For Your Liver” for a month now. Here’s what my experience has been like.
Cost and ordering
Ordering your “doses” is easy and can be done entirely online. There are currently two options available in terms of sizes: two-ounce bottles (which are sold in packs of 24) and larger 16-ounce bottles, which are sold either in packs of three or six. If you order any of the 16-ounce packs, you’ll receive a free two-ounce shot glass with your order that makes portioning a breeze.
