How liver detoxification supports metabolic health

What is metabolic health

Metabolic health is often defined with five important markers: blood pressure, fasting triglycerides, waist circumference, fasting high-density lipoprotein (HDL) [cholesterol], and fasting blood sugar. When the levels of these markers are within an optimal range, one can be defined as metabolically healthy. At the core of the body’s metabolic processes, your cells’ energy powerhouses are at play. Mitochondria (the hard-working organelles found in almost every one of your cells) are responsible for conducting the body’s cellular energy metabolism, immunity and signal transduction – making them vital for overall metabolic health.

Liver detoxification and metabolic health

As one of the largest organs in the body, the liver plays a central role in our body’s metabolic processes. By breaking down or converting substances, balancing energy metabolism, and making toxins less harmful, this hardworking organ is responsible for many processes that support our everyday health. There are 3 important phases as part of the liver detoxification process:

Phase 1: Modification

Phase one of liver detoxification is the first line of defense against toxins. Phase one involves a group of enzymes within a family known as cytochrome P450. These enzymes are recruited to help neutralize substances like alcohol and caffeine into by-products that are easier for the body to excrete. Converting these bodily toxins into less harmful substances means that these substances can move onto the next phase.

Phase 2: Conjugation

While they have undergone the process of phase one, end products that make it to phase two can still be harmful to the body. To ensure these substances don’t build up, phase two provides the final stage of neutralization so that bodily toxins can be safely removed . Also known as conjugation, phase two works to neutralize the by-products of phase one, making them water-soluble. Phase two requires key nutrients including glutathione, glycine and sulphate.

Phase 3: Excretion

Evidence suggests a third and final phase, whereby the conjugated toxins are transported from the liver cells and into the bile or blood for excretion. Bile excretes these substances via the digestive system, while blood sends them to the kidneys for urinary excretion. This phase is regulated by proteins, primarily the p-glycoprotein family of proteins, with the end goal being elimination of unwanted substances and bodily toxins.

How liver detoxification supports metabolic health

Liver detoxification is essential for maintaining metabolic homeostasis and preventing the accumulation of toxins.

Hormone balance

The liver detoxification process significantly impacts hormone health and regulation. The liver metabolizes hormones like estrogen, insulin and thyroid hormones, and the efficient detoxification of these hormones ensures that our levels remain balanced. The liver is the main site of metabolism for estrogen, a sex hormone that plays a role in mood, sleep, skin health, metabolic rate, libido, insulin sensitivity and so much more. The liver helps to efficiently metabolize estrogen via liver detoxification to ensure levels within the body are within a normal range.

Reduction of toxins

When the liver detoxification system is functioning optimally, the body’s toxin load is reduced, which supports metabolic health in many ways

Enhanced Energy Production

The liver converts glucose into glycogen for storage and releases it as glucose when the body needs energy. This process helps combat fatigue by providing a steady energy supply. Someone with slower detoxification pathways may be less efficient at regulating blood glucose levels, which may attribute to low energy or fatigue.

Improved Digestion and Nutrient Absorption

Efficient liver detoxification aids in the digestion and absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins by producing bile. The bile acids secreted by the liver also supports a healthy microbiome, which further influences metabolic health.

Reduced oxidative stress

By reducing our everyday toxin exposure, healthy liver detoxification helps neutralize oxidative substances.

Support for Mitochondrial Health

Liver detoxification supports energy at a cellular level by removing bodily toxins that interfere with cellular respiration and energy production, supporting mitochondrial health. By understanding the critical role of liver detoxification in metabolic health, we can take proactive steps to support liver function and improve overall well-being.

Do we really need to detox?

The liver not only processes the food we consume, but the many elements we are exposed to in both our internal and external environment. By aiding digestion and the metabolism of nutrients, the liver closely interacts with the endocrine and digestive system. Liver health is crucial for the absorption of nutrients, our immune health, energy levels, skin health and so much more. A healthy functioning liver can support the whole body more than many of us might realize.

There are plenty of supplements, diets and other tools promoted to us to ‘detoxify’ the body but in contrast to what you might have heard, your body actually doesn’t need to detox. While it’s true that we can experience some great benefits from supporting the body’s natural detoxification pathways (e.g. the liver and digestive system), we all have our own built-in detoxification systems that are much more powerful and efficient than any 3-day juice cleanse. In fact, the liver requires specific nutrients to complete the 3 phases of liver detoxification including quality protein, B-vitamins and enough antioxidants.

Natural ways to support the detoxification system

Stay hydrated

Provide your liver with the fluid it needs to effectively eliminate and detoxify. Avoiding further dehydration by reducing tea and coffee intake to no more than 2-3 cups per day.

Cruciferous vegetables

If you’re a lover of broccoli or cauliflower, you’re in luck. Cruciferous vegetables are not only nutrient rich and full of fiber, but they also contain key nutrients that support liver detoxification – sulforaphane and diindolylmethane (DIM). These compounds are well researched for their ability to support the body's detoxification pathways.

Limit alcohol consumption

Alcohol is a direct toxin to the liver so excessive intake can disrupt the natural detoxification process. When you drink alcohol, stick to safe limits, which is one standard drink for women on no more than five days per week or two standard drinks for men.

Milk thistle

Milk thistle is a compound utilized for its liver protective properties. As a potent antioxidant, milk thistle has been shown in traditional medicine to protect the body from free radical damage while having a more direct influence on the liver. The active constituent found in milk thistle includes a group of plant compounds known as Silymarin.

MitoQ +liver contains Siliphos® Milk Thistle which is a patented, clinically researched form of silybin. By combining silybin with phospholipids, Siliphos® Milk Thistle is up to 4x more bioavailable than silymarin.

Learn more about MitoQ +liver