When people talk about health and longevity, they usually focus on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, and cancer. We connect all of these to the heart, circulation, brain health, and immune health. But there’s one organ working behind the scenes that plays a massive role in how long and how well you live—your liver. After all, a healthy liver equals a healthy life.
Your liver does a lot. It is your chemical processing and production plant. It helps break down food, stores energy, makes toxins easier to eliminate, produces blood proteins and many chemicals needed by your body, and keeps your metabolism running smoothly. But in today’s world where we have "better living through chemistry", it’s working harder than ever. Over time, this chemical-induced stress can lead to serious health problems, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), toxin buildup, and metabolic issues. So let’s take a closer look at why liver health matters and what you can do to support it.
The Growing Problem of Fatty Liver Disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming incredibly common. More than 25% of adults globally have trouble with NAFLD. It happens when too much fat builds up in the liver, even in people who don’t drink alcohol. This can lead to inflammation, scarring, and eventually liver damage. It is a silent disease so that many people don’t even know they have it before it becomes quite severe.
NAFLD isn’t just a liver problem—it’s linked to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers. In fact, research has shown that people with NAFLD are more likely to develop serious health conditions down the road. (nejm.org)
The good news? NAFLD can be reversed with the right lifestyle changes, which we discuss below.
Everyday Toxins Put a Strain on Your Liver
We live in a world swimming in chemicals. The liver’s job is to break them down and remove them from the body. These toxins come from everywhere—processed foods, cleaning products, air pollution, personal care products, and even the water we drink.
In certain jobs workers have unsafe exposures to harmful substances. Welders, some factory workers, hairstylists, and painters all come into contact with chemicals daily. If you can smell it, your liver hasto deal with it. And if your liver can’t keep up, these toxins build up in the body and can lead to long-term health problems.
This is why supporting your liver isn’t just about food—it’s also about reducing exposure to unnecessary chemicals.
Medications Increase Liver Stress
All medications eventually leave your body, and all of them get processed by your liver. But some medications—like acetaminophen (Tylenol), cholesterol-lowering drugs, and antidepressants—can put extra stress on the liver. Drug-induced liver injury has become a serious public health problem.
This doesn’t mean you should stop taking your prescriptions, but it does mean you should be mindful of how many medications you take and whether your liver is getting the support it needs to handle them. N-acetyl cysteine is great to take if you have to take acetaminophen, as it does protect the liver.
Your Liver's Many Cries for Help
Since the liver doesn’t have pain receptors, it doesn’t always give obvious warning signs when something is wrong. But these symptoms might be your liver calling out to you for help:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Trouble losing weight
- Digestive issues
- Skin problems (acne, rashes, or itchiness)
If your liver is struggling, your whole body feels it.
Here's How to Keep Your Liver Healthy
The liver is incredibly resilient, but it needs the right support. Here are some simple ways to keep it in top shape:
1. Cut Back on Sugar and Processed Foods
Too much sugar—especially fructose—can overload the liver and contribute to fatty liver disease. Try swapping out sugary drinks and processed snacks for whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Just this one change will make your liver much healthier.
2. Eat More Cruciferous Vegetables
Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts are great for liver health. Studies show they help support the body’s detox pathways and improve liver function.
3. Include Liver-Supporting Foods
Bitter foods like dandelion greens and frisée along with herbs like milk thistle, help improve bile production and toxin elimination. "If it's bitter, it must be good for you," is what my kids parrot back to me.
4. Boost Glutathione Levels
Glutathione is one of the most important antioxidants for liver detoxification. Foods with sulfur in them like garlic, onions, and leeks support glutathione production, as do nutrients like NAC and alpha-lipoic acid. Consider our Glutathione Promoter dietary supplement, made for supporting liver health.
5. Drink Plenty of Water
Just like a washing machine that struggles to clean clothes without enough water in it, your liver needs plenty of water to flush out toxins. So make sure you’re drinking enough throughout the day. One half an ounce of liquid (water, juice, and other beverages) per pound of body weight is the general recommendation.
6. Put Fewer Chemicals into Your Body
Use natural cleaning products, choose organic when possible, and avoid heavily processed foods with artificial additives. The fewer toxins your liver has to process, the better.
7. Make Movement a Natural Part of Your Life
Daily movement improves your circulation, moves your lymph, helps your metabolism, and affects liver function, too. Stretching, doing a few calisthenics throughout the day, and making a 30-minute walk a part of your daily routine can really help you out.
As Your Liver Goes, So Goes Your Life
No one lives long with a sick liver. Your liver runs your whole metabolism and gets rid of used up and toxic elements. Brain fog is usually liver congestion. If your liver is overwhelmed, it speeds up the aging process and makes you more susceptible to disease.
But here's the good news. You have a lot of control over your liver health. Daily choices—like eating the right foods, reducing toxin exposure, and staying active—can make a big difference in how well your liver functions for years to come.
Take care of your liver and it will take care of you. And you will be able to complete your mission in life and fully love those around you without being distracted by sickness and poor health. And that’s something worth investing in.
