The Science Behind
Liver Function
Think of your liver as your internal mailroom, where everything you consume is processed, stored, transformed, or prepared for removal from your body.
Age 15-30
Age 31-45
Age 46-60
Age 61-75
Age 75+
Peak Efficiancy
Age 15-30
Liver Activity: The liver is highly resilient during this time, efficiently processing metabolic by products and managing diet.
Potential Stressors: Excessive alcohol, poor diet, and overuse of medications can begin to strain liver health.
Mid-Life
Age 31-45
Liver Activity: This is around the time you might start to notice your liver health is being impacted by your lifestyle.
CARE TIPS
- Incorporate liver-friendly foods like leafy greens, garlic, and berries.*
- Be conscious of dietary stressors like the over consumption of alcohol, fatty foods & sugars.*
- Exercise regularly to support liver health and maintain its efficiency.*
Growing Older
Age 46-60
Liver Activity: The liver's ability to function efficiently may slow down due to the normal aging process. As a result you may feel the physical signs of your liver slowing down.
CARE TIPS
- Avoid overloading the liver with excessive stressors.*
- Work closely with a doctor to monitor liver health, especially if you have other health conditions.*
- Get regular liver function tests.*
Gradual Slowdown
Age 61-75
Liver Activity: At this stage, your liver's efficiency will slow gradually, which can affect its ability to function smoothly.
CARE TIPS
- Prioritize nutrient-rich, liver-friendly foods to support its workload.*
- Be mindful of stressors and their effects on liver function.*
- Stay active to promote overall health and metabolic function.*
Heightened Sensitivity
Age 75+
Liver Activity: The liver becomes more sensitive and less adaptable, making it essential to minimize stress from external factors.
CARE TIPS
- Regularly consult with a healthcare provider to monitor liver health.*
- Be mindful of stressors and their effects on liver function.*
What impacts the liver
DIET
-
ENVIRONMENT
+
HOME PRODUCTS
+
CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
+
MEDICATIONS
+
DIET
An excess of fatty foods, sugars, red meats, starchy carbs,
and salty snacks can put extra pressure on your liver.
ENVIRONMENT
In busy cities where air quality fluctuates, fumes and
emissions can impact liver health.
HOME PRODUCTS
Unsuspecting home products (think cleaning supplies, candles, deodorants, lotions, and soaps) might contain chemicals that can impact your liver.
CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
Pesticides, industrial chemicals, and pollutants can impact
your liver as it works to detoxify these substances.
MEDICATIONS
Prolonged or excessive use of medications
can impact liver health.
The important
roles of the liver
Explore each function to see how it
is connected to your liver health.
BRAIN FUNCTION
Your liver filters out waste products from the bloodstream, including substances that can affect brain function.
HORMONE HEALTH
Through enzymatic metabolism, the liver helps support healthy levels of hormones.
ENERGY PRODUCTION
The liver convert dietary nutrients into glycogen, the primary energy reservoir for cells. The liver tightly regulates glucose and glycogen levels to stabilize energy reserves.
BLOOD SUGAR
The liver stores excess glucose as glycogen and mobilizes it during energy demand.
FAT METABOLISM
Liver enzymes break down fatty acids for ATP production and synthesize bile acids for lipid absorption. The liver also regulates plasma lipid levels by producing and processing cholesterol and lipoproteins.
CHOLESTEROL
The liver supports cholesterol levels by synthesizing, recycling, and excreting LDL and HDL cholesterol. Proper liver function is critical for maintaining cardiovascular health.
IMMUNE SYSTEM
The liver synthesizes key immune proteins and plays an integral role in immune system function.
PROTEIN SYNTHESIS
The liver converts dietary proteins into the specific amino acids needed for muscle repair and growth.
VITAMIN STORAGE
Acting as a biochemical distribution center, the liver stores fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and essential micronutrients, releasing them as needed.
DIGESTION
The liver facilitates digestion by producing bile, an essential fluid that aids in lipid breakdown, reduces gastrointestinal bloating, and alleviates post meal discomfort.
Watch out for stressors
Processed foods, high sugar diets and environmental stressors all get processed through your liver. Overexposure to lifestyle habits like these can slow it down.
Make room for liver
supporting foods
Leafy greens, garlic, and berries are super nourishing to the liver, and help it filter unwanted elements from the blood. Try gradually incorporating them into your diet, and you might notice you feel lighter, more energized, and balanced throughout the day.
Get the full picture with
liver function tests
Liver function tests are one of the best ways to gain a full understanding your liver health. Most commonly, tests will screen for key enzyme levels like ALT, and AST.
