Liver by Day & Night

Most people have just a vague idea of what the liver does. They know it's used to remove toxins from the body, but little beyond that. The liver is second only to the brain in complexity and power, so understanding what it does and how it does it allows you to run this beautiful living machine at full power!

One of the key bits you need to understand about the liver is that it does different jobs depending on if you are awake/daytime or asleep/nighttime. This also means it requires different compounds during those times for optimal performance.

Daytime Liver Function: Fed State (Postprandial)

During the day, especially after meals, the liver enters an anabolic state. Insulin levels rise, signaling the liver to carry out several crucial activities:

1. Glucose Metabolism:

   • Glycogenesis: The liver stores excess glucose as glycogen.

   • Glycolysis: It breaks down glucose to generate ATP, primarily for immediate energy needs.

   • Lipogenesis: Excess glucose and amino acids are converted into fatty acids and triglycerides, stored in the liver or exported as VLDL.

2. Detoxification:

   • The liver processes and neutralizes toxins from food and environmental exposures, including alcohol, medications, and food additives.

3. Bile Production:

   • Bile is produced to emulsify fats in the intestine, aiding in digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).

4. Amino Acid Processing:

   • The liver deaminates amino acids, converting nitrogen into urea for excretion, and synthesizes non-essential amino acids and plasma proteins like albumin and clotting factors.

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Nighttime Liver Function: Fasting State (Catabolic)

At night, especially during sleep, the liver switches to a fasting, catabolic state regulated by glucagon and other counter-regulatory hormones:

1. Glycogenolysis and Gluconeogenesis:

   • Glycogenolysis: The liver breaks down stored glycogen to release glucose, maintaining blood glucose levels.

   • Gluconeogenesis: It synthesizes glucose from lactate, glycerol, and amino acids when glycogen stores dwindle.

2. Fatty Acid Oxidation and Ketogenesis:

   • The liver oxidizes fatty acids to produce ATP.

   • It generates ketone bodies from fatty acids, providing alternative fuel for the brain and muscles.

3. Autophagy and Cellular Repair:

   • Liver cells engage in autophagy, recycling damaged organelles and proteins.

   • DNA repair and antioxidant defenses are upregulated to combat oxidative stress from daytime metabolic activity.

4. Hormone and Enzyme Regulation:

   • The liver metabolizes hormones and resets enzyme systems for the next day’s activity.

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Nutritional Support for Liver Functions

To support its diurnal tasks, the liver requires targeted nutrients at specific times:

Daytime Feeding Recommendations:

• Complex Carbohydrates: Provide steady glucose to support glycogen synthesis and energy production.

• Protein: Supplies amino acids for protein synthesis and liver repair.

• Choline (found in eggs, liver, soy): Supports VLDL synthesis and fat transport, preventing fat accumulation.

• Antioxidants (vitamins C, E, selenium, polyphenols): Aid in neutralizing oxidative byproducts of detoxification.

• Fiber (especially soluble): Supports bile excretion and binds toxins in the gut, lowering liver’s detox load.

Nighttime Support Recommendations:

• Low Glycemic Carbs (in moderation before bed): Can stabilize blood sugar and reduce stress hormone spikes. Examples of these carbs include most vegetables, cheeses, nuts, and avocados.

• Healthy Fats (omega-3s, MCTs): Provide substrates for ketogenesis and anti-inflammatory support. Fish, flax seed, and walnuts are good choices.

• Magnesium and Zinc: Cofactors for hundreds of enzymatic reactions, including those in gluconeogenesis and repair.

• Milk Thistle and N-acetylcysteine (NAC): May support glutathione production, the liver’s master antioxidant.

Understanding what your liver is doing and more importantly, when is it doing what you in particular want/need, helps you decide when to take supplements such as The Liver Pill. If you are taking my supplement specifically to make your liver healthier, detoxify your body more quickly, and help with blood sugar levels, take The Liver Pill in the morning. If you want whole-body health, recovery from workouts, or you have an increased likelihood of cancer due to family genetics, take it before bedtime.

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-Mark "Merriwether" Vorderbruggen, Ph.D. Chemist & Herbalist

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