If there is any organ we should really pay attention to in these toxic times, it's the liver. Acting as the center place for processing toxins in the body, it serves a crucial role in eliminating environmental pollution, which is at the root of many chronic symptoms [1].
When the liver is functioning well, it's easy to feel great and have plenty of energy. However, when it is struggling, it's common to have fatigue, skin issues, gut issues, brain fog, hormone imbalances, and more.
Thankfully, the liver is the only visceral organ that has the ability to completely regenerate itself. In fact, it can even regrow to a normal size after 90% of it has been removed [2]. This article will cover how to do so.
Understanding How The Liver Processes Toxins
The liver processes toxins through 3 phases:
Phase 1: Activation & Oxidation
This first phase involves activating & oxidizing toxins for easier processing. This phase relies on a family of enzymes called Cytochrome P450, which breaks apart toxins into smaller, more reactive metabolites.
Interestingly, glyphosate is well documented to damage cytochrome P450, effectively throttling liver detoxification [3]. This is one reason why addressing glyphosate is so critical for most people, as it helps elimination of all toxins. I've covered how to do so in this article.
Phase 2: Conjugate
Phase 2 takes the now reactive modified toxin, and conjugates (links) it to a molecule like glutathione. This makes the toxin water-soluble, and safe for transport out of hepatic (liver) cells. This also includes processes such as methylation, sulfation, and acetylation.
Phase 2 is supported through things like NRF2 upregulators (examples are broccoli sprouts & melatonin,) methylation support, and glutathione precursors like NAC. [4]
Phase 3: Excrete
Toxins are released in this phase through the bile, into the colon. Physical obstructions such as liver flukes or gallstones tend to block this phase, as well as lack of nutrients such as choline, which is critical for bile production. [4] Any blockage in bile flow will downregulate phase 1 & phase 2 activity, slowing down detoxification in general.
Signs That You Need To Detox Your Liver
Bloating, Gas, & SIBO - Proper bile flow helps maintain a healthy microbiome, reducing overgrowth in the small intestine. [12]
Excess body fat - Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), also sometimes called "obesogens," contribute to weight gain that doesn't respond to diet & exercise. [5] Our liver is what processes these environmental pollutants.
Excessive Fatigue - Our liver helps convert thyroid hormones into their active form. Impaired liver function can lead to insufficient T3 production, contributing to symptoms of hypothyroidism. [29] Many of the toxins our liver is supposed to process, like heavy metals, are mitochondrial poisons which cause fatigue. [6]
Hormone Imbalances - As mentioned above, the liver processes EDCs but also filters and metabolizes other hormones. In women, a sluggish liver can lead to irregular periods and symptoms of "estrogen dominance." [7] In men, a sluggish liver can lead to low testosterone. [8]
Fat intolerance & floating stools - Bile helps digest fats. Inadequate fat absorption leads to floating & yellow/pale stools. [11]
Skin Issues - When the liver is blocked, toxins recirculate putting stress on the skin, kidneys, and lungs. It is common for those with liver disease to have skin manifestations of all kinds. [10]
Sensitivities and Allergies - The liver is responsible for breaking down excess histamine. In patients with impaired bile flow, blood histamine levels were found to be significantly higher. [9]
Sleep Disturbances - Liver issues can lead to altered melatonin & glucose metabolism, affecting sleep quality & quantity. [32]
Blood Sugar Issues - The liver plays a crucial role in maintaining stable blood sugar levels. [33]
Things that Damage your Liver
Alcohol - The leading cause of liver damage.
Aceteminophen (Tylenol) - Tylenol is response for over 50% of acute liver failure cases in the US, and is especially dangerous when mixed with alcohol. [13]
Medications such as Acctuane (isotretinoin) - this synthetic form of vitamin A has destroyed the lives of many. [14]
Seed oils such as canola, rapeseed, sunflower oil [15]
High Fructose Corn Syrup - contributes greatly to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) [16]
Glyphosate - found in high levels in non-organic wheat, corn, & soy. Also found commonly in non-organic legumes such as chickpeas & lentils. [3]
Parasites - Unfortunately parasites are a common issue even in the developed world. Certain parasites such as liver flukes can physically obstruct bile flow. [22]
How To Detox Your Liver Naturally
Note: many of the supplements listed are available from my Fullscript dispensary at a 15-20% discount. Create an account here to gain access.
(1) Consume the right nutrients
Pasture-Raised Liver - supplies choline, various B vitamins, copper, and more. A common misconception is that the liver is where toxins are stored, so it shouldn't be consumed. The reality is that the liver is where toxins are deactivated and processed; it is the fat is where most toxins are stored. If you can't stand the taste, powdered liver capsules are usually a good option. I personally like multi-organ blends for balance, such as this one.
Eggs - high in sulfur compounds, choline, and glutathione precursors. [38] Pro tip: leaving the yoke runny preserves many of the valuable nutrients.
Cruciferous vegetables - high in sulfur compounds such as glucosinolates that support the breakdown of toxins in the liver. [4] These include broccoli, broccoli sprouts, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower.
Garlic - high in vitamin C, B6, and selenium. Helps processing of heavy metals in the liver in particular. [35, 36]
Berries - berries such as blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries are high in antioxidants which can help protect the liver against free radical damage during phase 1 detoxification. [37] They are some of the densest fruits in terms of antioxidant potential while also having the least amounts of sugar.
Coffee - coffee consumption has an inverse relationship with liver disease [34]. If you like retaining your calm, you can always get the benefits of coffee without the stimulation through coffee enemas.
(2) Use a Binder
The liver empties bile into the colon as it's main route for processed toxins. If the colon is inflamed, toxic, or leaky, then the flow of toxins can be reduced. Even worse, they can recirculate throughout the body in a process known as enterohepatic circulation. [17] Toxin binders such as Modified Citrus Pectin & Zeobind help prevent this process. [18]
(3) Use Herbal Formulas
There are many herbs that help protect the liver against damage & restore it's function such as dandelion & milk thistle. [19,20]
My favorite liver formulas currently are Quicksilver Bitters No. 9, Liver Health Tincture, and BileFlow Plus (use discount code JYOTIMB.)
(4) TUDCA
Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid (TUDCA) is a bile acid found in Ox Bile with a lot of research on it's liver protective abilities. [21] CellCore's Advanced TUDCA is truly a standout product in this category (to order, use patient direct code: tsXvEkKF.) It also includes NAC & melatonin, two outstanding supportive compounds for liver health. [30, 31] BileFlow Plus carries some TUDCA as well.
(5) Phosphatidylcholine
Phosphatidylcholine is a phospholipid that occurs naturally in foods. It is a key component of bile, as well as cell membranes throughout the body. [24] Supplementation helps phase 3 liver detoxification as well as help heal cell membranes which leads to better cellular nourishment & detoxification. [23] I like Body Bio PC.
What's really cool about Phosphatidylcholine is that if you take it together with any herbs or vitamins, it massively increases absorption and effectiveness by helping transport into cells. [28]
(6) Detoxify Glyphosate
Glyphosate, a poison found in over 80% of American's urine, is something I've written about at length in another article. It is important to note that glyphosate impairs Cytochrome P450, a main enzyme used in phase 1 liver detoxification which breaks toxins down into smaller metabolites. [3] Simple ways to detoxify glyphosate include high quality humic acid products such as ION* Gut Support & CT-Minerals (to order, use patient direct code: tsXvEkKF.) [25], and the amino acid glycine. [26]
(7) Coffee Enemas
I often say there are two categories of people: those who have never tried a coffee enema and think it's crazy; and those who have had their lives changed by it!
It is a fantastic tool for cleansing both the colon and the liver. It increases Glutathione S-Transferase, the phase 2 liver detox enzyme that binds glutathione to toxins, by over 700% [28]! They also support phase 3 by increasing bile flow. You can learn how to do them in this article.
(8) Liver Flushes
A fantastic way to clear out gallstones, a physical obstruction that impairs bile flow. [27] To learn more, read this book.
The simplest approach I've found to accomplish it is through the global healing center 6 day liver cleanse program, available here. However, liver flushes are best done under the guidance of a practitioner.
What should I do before and after detoxing the liver?
There is a important step-by-step process that needs to be followed to properly detox your body and restore your health naturally.
Healing the liver is just one of the first steps.
To learn the first steps to transform your health in 21 days or less,
download the Free Detox Jumpstart guide here.
If you're looking for further guidance, schedule a free strategy session with me to go over your case, and see what the path to better health might look like for you.
With Love,
Kyle Peche
References
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/cells-maintain-repair-liver-identified
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0300483X22000488
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/03/26/acetaminophen-overdose.aspx
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/12/12/acne-drug-accutane.aspx
https://www.jyotimineralbalancing.com/post/the-truth-about-parasite-cleanses
https://people.csail.mit.edu/seneff/2016/Glyphosate_V_glycine_analogue_2016.pdf
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langas/article/PIIS2468-1253(21)00169-2/abstract
https://hero.epa.gov/hero/index.cfm/reference/details/reference_id/1344659
Disclaimer: This information is educational only and not intended to diagnose or treat a specific individual or patient. Nothing presented here is medical advice.
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