Love Your Liver: The Ultimate Guide to Feeling Better, Faster

The Importance of Liver Health

The liver is one of the hardest-working organs in your body, but for years, I had no idea that mine was struggling—and that it was at the root of so many of my issues. I thought holding extra weight around my waistline, dealing with brain fog, constant fatigue, blood sugar swings, and hormone imbalances were just “normal” for my age and something I had to push through. I felt burned out, and it felt justified with everything I had on my plate. It wasn’t until I did a random experiment with celery juicing and cutting out highly processed foods that everything changed. Almost overnight, I started feeling better—clearer, lighter, and more energized. That’s when I realized how much my liver impacts my overall health, and how much it needed my support. This wasn’t aging—it was my body asking for a help.  

What Happens When Your Liver Thrives?

When your liver is functioning optimally, the effects are profound:

• Better blood sugar regulation. Say goodbye to energy crashes and sugar cravings.
• Balanced hormones. Fewer mood swings, better sleep, and smoother menstrual cycles.
• Improved metabolism. A healthy liver supports fat burning and weight management.
• Clearer skin. Your liver’s ability to detox directly impacts your complexion.
• More energy and focus. A sluggish liver contributes to brain fog, but a thriving one boosts mental clarity.

The Silent Epidemic: Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the fastest-growing chronic conditions worldwide. It’s now affecting 1 in 3 adults in the U.S., including many people who don’t drink alcohol. NAFLD develops when excess fat builds up in the liver, often due to:

• A diet high in sugar (especially fructose) and refined carbs.
• Chronic consumption of seed oils and processed foods.
• Insulin resistance, which causes fat to accumulate in the liver.

This condition is not harmless. If left unchecked, it can lead to inflammation, scarring (cirrhosis), and even liver failure. But the good news? Fatty liver disease is reversible through dietary and lifestyle changes.

The Liver’s Role in Blood Sugar Regulation

The liver acts as the body’s blood sugar buffer, ensuring glucose levels stay balanced:

• When blood sugar is too high, the liver stores the excess glucose as glycogen or converts it into fat.
• When blood sugar is too low, the liver releases stored glucose to stabilize levels.

However, an overburdened liver—especially one affected by fatty liver disease—can’t perform these tasks efficiently. This leads to blood sugar spikes, crashes, and insulin resistance, which are precursors to type 2 diabetes. By supporting your liver, you’re directly supporting your body’s ability to manage blood sugar effectively.

The Liver’s Role in Hormone Health

The liver plays a critical role in processing and regulating hormones:

• It breaks down excess hormones, such as estrogen, preventing imbalances that can lead to PMS, menopause symptoms, or estrogen dominance (linked to issues like fibroids and endometriosis).
• It helps convert inactive thyroid hormones into their active forms, directly influencing energy, metabolism, and mood.
• It clears out stress hormones like cortisol, preventing chronic stress from taking a toll on your health.

When the liver is overburdened, it struggles to perform these tasks, leaving your hormones out of balance. This can lead to symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, weight gain, and disrupted sleep.

Protecting and Healing Your Liver

The liver is incredibly resilient—it can regenerate and heal if given the right support. Here are some ways to protect and improve your liver health:

1. Eliminate processed foods.  Refined sugars and seed oils are two of the biggest drivers of liver damage. Focus on whole, unprocessed foods.

2. Reduce toxin exposure.  Avoid pesticides, artificial fragrances, and chemicals in personal care products. Store food in glass instead of plastic to minimize exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals.

3. Increase your veggie intake.  Sulfur-rich veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, onions, and garlic are especially good for liver detoxification pathways.

4. Intermittent fasting.  Fasting gives your liver a much-needed break and encourages it to burn through stored fat. For women, aligning fasting with your menstrual cycle (as explained in Eat Like a Girl) can make this practice even more effective.

5. Incorporate liver-supporting nutrients.  Foods rich in choline (like eggs and wild-caught fish) help break down fats in the liver. Antioxidants like glutathione (found in asparagus and avocados) reduce oxidative stress on the liver.

6. Sweat it out.  Sauna sessions can help your body eliminate toxins, reducing the liver’s workload.

7. Stay hydrated.  Water is essential for flushing toxins out of your system. Add in lemon or celery juice for added liver support.

Final Thoughts

Your liver is your body’s health engine. It’s critical for blood sugar regulation, hormone balance, detoxification, and more. When you protect your liver, you protect your overall health.

It’s not about perfection—it’s about small, consistent changes. I haven't sworn off margaritas forever, but I've definitely cut WAY back on all alcohol. Once you start feeling good, you really don't want to mess with that feeling. I love a great mocktail now, or kombucha in a fancy glass, but when I do have a fun date night out, I give my liver some extra love and celery juice the next day. By protecting your liver and feeding your gut, you’re building the foundation for a long, vibrant, and healthy life.

Ready to dive in and eat well, check out our Mediterranean Meals Section  where you will find amazing Jar Salads, our Celery Juice and One Day Juice Cleanse Kits, Veggie Loaded Scrambles and Balanced Dinner Options that change every single week.

Rest assured, we have thoughtfully designed each recipe and sourced each ingredient carefully so you don't have to think about the details of eating to thrive!