Liver
Your body's chemical factory. The liver performs over 500 functions—detoxification, hormone processing, nutrient storage, protein synthesis. When it's overwhelmed, everything suffers.
What Your Liver Does
Detoxification
Filters blood, neutralizes toxins, drugs, alcohol, hormones. Phase I and II pathways.
Bile Production
Makes bile for fat digestion, toxin elimination, and cholesterol excretion.
Blood Sugar
Stores glycogen, releases glucose as needed. Gluconeogenesis during fasting.
Protein Synthesis
Makes albumin, clotting factors, and many other essential proteins.
Nutrient Storage
Stores vitamins A, D, E, K, B12, iron, copper. Releases as needed.
Hormone Processing
Converts T4 to T3, metabolizes estrogen, processes cortisol.
The Three Phases of Liver Detoxification
Phase I: Activation
CYP450 enzymes modify toxins, often making them MORE reactive temporarily.
Needs: B vitamins, glutathione, antioxidants
Phase II: Conjugation
Attaches molecules to make toxins water-soluble for elimination.
Needs: Glycine, glutathione, sulfur, glucuronidation cofactors
Phase III: Elimination
Transports conjugated toxins out via bile, kidneys, or gut.
Needs: Healthy bile flow, good gut motility, adequate hydration
If Phase I is fast but Phase II is slow, you accumulate reactive intermediates—worse than the original toxin.
⚠️ What Burdens the Liver
Alcohol
Direct hepatotoxin. Uses up glutathione. Fatty liver, then cirrhosis.
Medications
Tylenol, statins, NSAIDs, many drugs require liver processing.
Sugar/Fructose
Processed directly by liver. Causes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Seed Oils
High omega-6 oils drive inflammation and oxidative stress in liver.
Environmental Toxins
Pesticides, plastics, heavy metals, mold toxins all processed by liver.
Hormone Excess
Birth control, HRT, excess estrogen require liver detoxification.
Signs of Liver Stress
Digestive
- • Fatty food intolerance
- • Bloating after meals
- • Constipation
- • Pale/floating stools
Skin
- • Acne
- • Rashes
- • Itching
- • Yellow tinge (jaundice)
Hormonal
- • Estrogen dominance
- • PMS symptoms
- • Low thyroid symptoms
General
- • Fatigue
- • Brain fog
- • Chemical sensitivity
- • Bad hangovers
Pain
- • Right upper quadrant discomfort
- • Right shoulder pain
- • Headaches
Blood Markers
- • Elevated ALT/AST
- • High GGT
- • High bilirubin
✅ Supporting Liver Health
Reduce the Load
Cut alcohol, processed foods, sugar, seed oils. Less in = less work.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts support Phase II detox.
Sulfur Foods
Garlic, onions, eggs provide sulfur for glutathione and sulfation.
Bitter Foods
Arugula, dandelion, artichoke stimulate bile flow.
Milk Thistle
Silymarin protects liver cells, supports regeneration.
NAC
Precursor to glutathione. The antidote for Tylenol overdose for a reason.
Glycine
Amino acid for Phase II conjugation. Found in bone broth, collagen.
B Vitamins
Essential for Phase I enzymes and methylation.
Support Bile Flow
TUDCA, ox bile, choline, bitters help bile production and flow.
