How to Nutritionally Support LIVER DETOXIFICATION

How to Nutritionally Support LIVER DETOXIFICATION

Detoxification begins with the initial toxins and passes through phase I, which makes many compounds even more inflammatory.

Then these compounds pass through phase II and are eliminated.

If phase 1 is up-regulated before 2 & 3 are open, the system can become backed up with inflammatory intermediates.

This means you want to optimize detoxification "backwards": begin with elimination support, then phase II support, and finally phase I support.

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INITIAL TOXINS

need to be removed

examples: hormones, microbial endotoxins, cellular waste, inhaled pollutants, drugs, alcohol, household chemicals, some supplements, pesticides, etc

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1. FUNCTIONALIZE

"activate it"

organ: liver

support with:

  • B vitamins meat & fish, legumes, greens, nutritional yeast

  • BCAAs animal proteins

  • glutathione/NAC turmeric, Brazil nuts, avocado, asparagus, spinach, citrus, garlic, onions

  • phospholipids soy, sunflower, eggs

  • healthy fats fish oil, olive oil, coconut oil, walnuts

  • flavonoids colorful plant foods

  • quercetin apples, cherries, broccoli, onions, citrus

  • milk thistle

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INTERMEDIATES

very inflammatory

support with:

  • vitamins A, C, E, D3

  • selenium

  • zinc

  • copper

  • manganese

  • CoQ10

  • garlic

  • onions

  • crucifers

  • milk thistle

  • berries

  • greens

  • colorful veggies

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2. CONJUGATE

"deactivate it"

organ: liver

support with:

  • amino acids glutamine, glycine, taurine, methionine from protein

  • sulfur meat, eggs, whey, onions, garlic, MSM

  • glutathione/NAC turmeric, Brazil nuts, avocado, asparagus, spinach, citrus, garlic, onions

  • polyphenols green tea, rooibos tea, turmeric, rosemary, crucifers, watercress, dark berries

  • chlorophyll greens, cilantro, parsley, chlorella, spirulina, moringa

  • magnesium

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3. ELIMINATE

"get it out"

organs: gallbladder, intestines, kidneys

FAT-SOLUBLE: via bile into intestines, excreted in feces

  • bile support: healthy fats, artichoke, beets, dandelion root, lemon water

  • gut support: fiber from variety of plant foods, psyllium husks

  • lifestyle: prioritize daily BM, hydration, movement, gallbladder function, microbiome health

WATER-SOLUBLE: via blood into kidneys, excreted in urine

  • hydration: water with electrolytes

  • kidney support: burdock or dandelion tea

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Now read this backwards.

That’s right, you want to optimize detoxification "backwards".

If phase 1 is up-regulated before 2 & 3 are open, the system can become backed up with inflammatory intermediates.


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References

Walter J. Crinnion, & Joseph E. Pizzorno. (2018). Clinical Environmental Medicine : Identification and Natural Treatment of Diseases Caused by Common Pollutants. Elsevier.

IFM Detox Food Plan. Institute of Functional Medicine. https://www.ifm.org/news-insights/detox-food-plan/

Jones, D. S., Bland, J. S., & Quinn, S. (2010). Textbook of Functional Medicine. Institute for Functional Medicine.

Gaby, A. R. (2017). Nutritional Medicine (2nd ed.). Fritz Perlberg Publishing.

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