Liver Love - Don't Make This Mistake

“The Gut-Liver Connection + The Truth About Bile, Binders & Poop”

When you think about detox, what comes to mind?
Green smoothies? Saunas? Juice cleanses?

Here’s what most people miss:
Your liver doesn’t work alone. It’s part of a detox system — and if your gut isn’t functioning well, your liver can’t do its job.

Let’s break down what’s really happening inside your body and how you can start supporting true detox at the root.

The Gut-Liver Axis: Detox Depends on This Team

Your liver has over 500 jobs, but one of the most important is detoxification. It takes toxins, hormones, and waste products from your blood, processes them through Phases 1 and 2 of detox, and dumps them into bile.

Here’s the problem:
That bile gets sent into your gut — where it’s supposed to bind with waste and move out through your stool.

But if your gut lining is inflamed, if your microbiome is disrupted (like with SIBO, candida, or parasites), or if you’re constipated, something sneaky happens:

👉 Those toxins get reabsorbed through your gut wall and sent right back to the liver.
This creates something called enterohepatic recirculation — a vicious cycle that keeps you feeling tired, inflamed, and hormonally imbalanced.

The Clues: Symptoms of a Blocked Gut-Liver Axis

How do you know if this is happening to you?
Watch for these common signs:

• Bloating, especially after meals

• Brain fog, mood swings, anxiety

• Skin issues like acne, eczema, or rashes

• Estrogen dominance symptoms (PMS, breast tenderness, painful periods)

• Chemical sensitivities (perfumes, alcohol, cleaning products)

• Fatigue that doesn’t budge, even with good sleep

• Constipation or sticky, hard-to-clean poops

The Power of Bile: More Than Just Fat Digestion

Most people don’t know this — but bile is the primary exit route for toxins.
It carries out mold toxins, heavy metals, estrogen metabolites, and environmental chemicals. If bile is sludgy or production is low, detox halts. Period.

It also plays a major role in:

• Estrogen clearance: Low bile flow = higher estrogen = PMS, mood swings, fibroids

• Nutrient absorption: Especially fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K

• Microbiome balance: Bile has natural antimicrobial effects — it helps keep gut pathogens in check

The Binder Backup Plan: When Bile + Poop Need Help

Even with good bile flow, toxins can stick around. This is where binders come in.

Binders act like a sponge, attracting and trapping toxins in the gut so they don’t get reabsorbed.
Some of my favorites include:

• Zeolite Clinoptilolite – for heavy metals, mold, and environmental toxins *MY FAVORITE*

• Activated charcoal – great for histamine, bacteria, and general detox

• GI Detox or BioToxin Binder – blends designed for broad-spectrum support

👉 These are especially helpful when you're starting a detox, dealing with constipation, or addressing mold or chronic infection.

The One Big Mistake: Skipping Phase 3

In functional medicine, we talk about 3 phases of liver detox:

1. Phase 1: Bioactivation

2. Phase 2: Conjugation

3. Phase 3: Elimination (through bile, stool, and urine)

Most people jump straight into “detox” without making sure their Phase 3 pathways are open.
That’s like turning on a faucet with a clogged drain. You overflow, fast.

You must support elimination before ramping up detox.
That means daily poops, healthy bile flow, and sometimes binder support — before you even think about liver supplements or herbs.

💚 Your Action Steps

Here’s where to start:

✅ Support your gut first (stool testing, antimicrobials, and probiotics may be needed)
✅ Use gentle bile movers: dandelion, ginger, bitters, taurine, or TUDCA
✅ Make sure you’re pooping every day — at least once, ideally twice
✅ Consider binders like zeolite to catch recirculating toxins
✅ THEN look at liver support protocols

You don’t need a fancy detox.
You need a smart detox — and that starts by loving on your gut-liver axis.

My Favorite Gentle Detox Tool – Zeolite Clinoptilolite

One of my favorite tools for supporting safe, daily detox is Zeolite Clinoptilolite — a natural volcanic mineral that works like a sponge for toxins. It binds to heavy metals, mold byproducts, and chemicals in your gut and bloodstream, helping to escort them out of your body through the bowels — without burdening your liver or kidneys.

What I love about zeolite is that it works in Phase 3 detox (elimination), which means it supports the exit pathways we talked about above. It's especially helpful for anyone dealing with fatigue, brain fog, skin issues, or known toxin exposures — and it’s super gentle, making it a great add-in for most people.

👉 I only recommend high-quality, clean Zeolite products that are third-party tested and safe for daily use. If you're curious or want to know which one I trust for myself and my clients, just EMAIL ME AT [email protected] and I’ll send you the information! It's a daily staple for me and my liver.

Understanding the complex interaction between toxins and minerals is key to achieving optimal health.

If you're experiencing symptoms that may be related to toxin release or mineral imbalances, consider exploring a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA).

This test provides detailed insights into your body's mineral levels and toxic metal burdens, offering a personalized roadmap for achieving better health.

A consultation can help interpret the results and create a tailored plan to support your detox and overall wellness journey. NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL. You can't just start pumping the vitamins and minerals until you know WHERE YOUR BODY IS AT and what levels they are at!!

For more information on how HTMA can benefit you, feel free to reach out and schedule a consultation. Let's work together towards a healthier, more balanced you.

Click here to learn more about HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis and Mineral Balancing and Gentle Detoxification