Forget the Juice Cleanse: How to Actually Detox Your Liver (According to Science)
Your liver doesn't need a 3-day magic tea. It needs the right raw materials to do its job 24/7. Dr. Carlos Jaramillo explains the real biology of detoxification.
We have all seen the ads: "Drink this green tea for 3 days and flush out all your toxins!" It sounds tempting, but biologically, it is nonsense. As Dr. Carlos Jaramillo bluntly puts it: "A juice doesn't detoxify your liver. Your liver detoxifies itself, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."
Your liver is a biochemical factory, performing over 500 vital functions. It filters your blood, neutralizes dangers, and manages your energy. But like any factory, it can get overwhelmed if you don't provide the right supplies or if you dump too much trash at the door.
True detoxification isn't a short-term diet; it is a metabolic process that happens in three distinct phases. If you are deficient in protein or minerals like magnesium, these phases get blocked, leading to fatigue, brain fog, and hormonal imbalances. In this guide, we will break down exactly how to support your liver's natural genius.
Step 1: Stop the "Intox"
Before you add anything new, you must stop burdening your liver. Dr. Jaramillo calls this stopping the "Intoxication." You can't clean a house if someone keeps walking in with muddy boots.
The Liver's Enemies:
- ❌ Alcohol: The most direct liver toxin.
- ❌ High Fructose Corn Syrup: Found in sodas and processed juices.
- ❌ Seed Oils: Highly inflammatory soybean, canola, and sunflower oils.
- ❌ Unnecessary Meds: Chronic use of painkillers or antacids without medical need.
The 3 Phases of Liver Detox (And How to Fuel Them)
Imagine your liver as a high-security waste management facility. It processes toxins in three specific steps. If one step fails, the toxic trash piles up.
Phase 1: Activation
The liver takes a fat-soluble toxin and uses enzymes to break it down. Paradoxically, this creates an intermediate molecule that is more reactive and dangerous than the original toxin. It’s like pulling the pin on a grenade—you need to deal with it quickly.
Needs: B-Vitamins, Antioxidants, and Magnesium.
Phase 2: Neutralization (The Critical Step)
This is where most people fail. The liver must neutralize that "active grenade" by attaching a molecule to it (conjugation) to make it water-soluble. This process requires massive amounts of amino acids (protein) and sulfur.
Needs: Amino Acids (Glycine, Cysteine), Sulfur (Cruciferous veggies), and Magnesium.
Phase 3: Elimination
The neutralized toxin is flushed out through bile (into the intestines) or urine. If you are constipated or dehydrated, these toxins can be reabsorbed back into your blood.
Needs: Fiber, Water, and Movement.
How to Support Your Liver with Savvy
You don't need a magic potion. You need to supply the factory with raw materials. Dr. Jaramillo highlights two critical deficiencies that block liver detox: Magnesium and Protein.
1. Magnesium: The Ignitor
Magnesium is a co-factor for the enzymes in Phase 2 detoxification. Without it, the process stalls. Many people are deficient, leaving their liver sluggish.
Shop Savvy Magnesium →2. Amino Acids: The Neutralizers
Your liver needs amino acids like Glycine and Cysteine to bind toxins. A high-quality, clean protein powder ensures you have the building blocks for Glutathione, the master antioxidant.
Shop Bone Broth Protein →Don't Forget the Clock
Your liver has a circadian rhythm. It does its deepest cleaning work between 1:00 AM and 3:00 AM. If you are awake, stressed, or eating late, you interrupt this cycle.
The Savvy Tip: Stop eating 3 hours before bed. Take your Magnesium supplement to ensure deep sleep, and let your liver work its magic while you dream.
