Liver & Gallbladder Care

This information is not intended to replace appropriate professional advice.  Please check labels and consult your pharmacist if you take prescription drugs.

The liver has more than 500 functions in the human body. Our modern day lifestyle puts quite a strain on the liver and gallbladder, and they truly appreciate an occasional tune-up.

Diet to Maintain a Healthy Liver

• Drink 7-10 glasses of room temperature filtered or spring water.  Chlorine and many other chemicals are found in tap water.
• Eat a diet that consists of 75-80% alkalizing foods.  Very important.
• Organic foods are the safest way to nourish yourself – a wise investment!
• Make fruits, vegetables, raw seeds and nuts, beans, legumes, and whole grains the mainstays of your diet.  Avoid wheat unless sprouted.
• Animal products produce free radicals removed via the liver.  Enjoy sparingly.
• Fermented foods improve digestion, assimilation, and correct pH.
• 1-2 tsp apple cider vinegar and honey (opt) in water with meals stimulates liver function, corrects pH, and improves absorption of nutrients.
• Have complete protein no later than lunch for better assimilation of amino acids.
• High heat food prep generates acrylamides & advanced glycation end products.

Basic Supplements to avoid Common Deficiencies

• Bio-Strath – a source of many nutrients that support liver function.
• Vitamin C – anti-inflammatory, improves absorption of nutrients.
• Vitamin D 8,000 IU for one month then reduce to upper limit of 4,000 IU – anti-inflammatory, a common deficiency in Canada.
• Magnesium – supports multiple aspects of digestion that impact on the liver.
• Omega 3 fatty acids – helps regulate fat and cholesterol metabolism.
• Probiotics – intermittent use to promote correct pH and a healthy microbiome.

Specific to Liver Support - for short-term or intermittent use

• Milk Thistle on its own or in combination with other liver loving herbs, is a traditional remedy for liver support and detoxification.
• Berberine – lowers LDL, raises HDL, breaks up fatty liver, lowers blood sugar.
• Umeboshi paste – improves all liver conditions including alcoholic sclerosis and hepatitis C.  Make a salty, satisfying broth with ½ - 1 tsp per cup of hot water.
• Chanka Piedra – aka stone crusher – safely dissolves gravel in the gallbladder.

Additional Suggestions

• Upon rising have a glass of room temperature water with the fresh squeezed juice of ½ a lemon to jump start your liver for the day!
• Liver congestion can be relieved by using castor oil packs over the liver area for a half hour daily for one week.
• There is an intimate connection between the liver and lymphatic system.  Dry body brushing 2-3 times a week keeps the lymphatic clean to support the liver.
• Iron is the liver’s element. Beets and beet juice (available in crystals and liquid) are nourishing for the liver. They have the added bonus of increasing nitric oxide production and reducing the accumulation of amyloid plaque.
• In Traditional Chinese Medicine liver problems are associated with anger.  Caring for your liver may involve resolving emotional issues that are interfering with your enjoyment of life and good health.
• Eliminate alcohol.  According to The WHO,  there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.  As little as one drink per day can cause liver damage and increase your risk of developing certain forms of cancer.

Keep a journal and track changes in symptoms you hope to relieve.  People often find multiple health issues improve with a nutritious diet and appropriate supplementation. 

If your goal is a tune-up, follow as many suggestions as possible for 4 weeks. 

If you have specific liver issues, follow as many suggestions as possible until symptoms are resolved then continue with the diet and supplements for common deficiencies to maintain your gain!

Great health happens by design, not by accident!     

*Revised May 2024