For the Love of the Liver + Gallbladder

Liver & Gallbladder: Essential Functions & Healing Support

The liver is one of the most vital organs in the body—responsible for processing nutrients, detoxifying harmful substances, and keeping everything running smoothly. Located on the right side of the diaphragm, it’s divided into two lobes and made up of billions of specialized cells. It acts as the body’s chemical processing plant, producing bile, filtering blood, metabolizing fats, and supporting digestion.

The gallbladder, a small pear-shaped organ just beneath the liver, stores and releases bile to help break down fats and remove toxins. These two organs work together to process nutrients, detoxify the blood, and keep digestion functioning properly.

The Liver’s Role in the Body

• Blood Formation & Circulation – The liver and spleen help produce red and white blood cells and regulate blood viscosity.

• Energy Production & Detoxification – Converts proteins to energy, makes ketones, and supports detox pathways.

• Metabolism & Nutrient Storage – Turns food into usable energy, produces bile, and stores iron, glucose as glycogen, and vitamins.

• Hormone Regulation – Plays a key role in thyroid function by converting thyroid hormones to their active form (T3).

• Immune Function – Produces immune factors and helps remove bacteria from the blood.

Key Liver & Gallbladder Facts

• 1 gallon of blood passes through the liver every 2.6 minutes.

• The liver produces 1-2 quarts of bile daily.

• The liver and spleen produce 1 quart of lymph per day.

• Bile helps remove toxins, cholesterol, and metabolic waste from the body.

What Happens When the Liver & Gallbladder Struggle?

If bile becomes thick and sludgy, it can lead to gallstones and poor fat digestion. Low-fat diets, dehydration, and acidic diets contribute to sluggish bile flow. When the liver is overburdened, it can result in poor detoxification, hormone imbalances, and digestive issues.

Emotional & Energetic Aspects of the Liver & Gallbladder

The liver and gallbladder don’t just affect the physical body—they also hold emotional energy.

• Liver Imbalances may show up as resentment, anger, frustration, or depression and cravings for alcohol, chocolate, sugar, and dairy.

• Gallbladder Imbalances can bring up worry, trust issues, or withheld emotions with cravings for salty, crunchy, or oily foods.

Supporting these organs helps release stored emotions and bring balance to both body and mind.

Symptoms of Liver & Gallbladder Dysfunction

Cold & Dry Symptoms

• Liver: Pale skin, anemia, low muscle tone, dry eyes, fatigue, cellulite, poor absorption.

• Gallbladder: Chills, cracking joints, calcification, gallbladder gravel (tiny stones).

Hot & Dry Symptoms

• Liver: Dark spots or moles, atrophy, muscle rigidity, body odor, spasms, dry eyes, anemia.

• Gallbladder: Spasms on the right side, itchy skin, belching bile, dark patches.

Hot & Wet Symptoms

• Liver: Inflamed skin, allergies, eye issues, bad breath, liver pain, trouble sleeping.

• Gallbladder: Sharp right-side pain radiating to the shoulder, nausea, joint inflammation, jaundice.

Cold & Wet Symptoms

• Liver: Fatty liver, high cholesterol, sluggish digestion, low libido, feeling of a lump in the throat.

• Gallbladder: Poor fat digestion (greasy stools), gallstones, toxins accumulating in the gallbladder.

Healing Foods & Lifestyle Tips

Liver & Gallbladder-Supportive Foods

These foods support bile production, detoxification, and digestion:

• Liver-Supportive Foods: Beets, celery, oranges, papaya, persimmons, apricots, balsamic vinegar, onions, leeks.

• Gallbladder-Supportive Foods: Bitter greens, radishes, pears, beans, unrefined grains, chamomile tea, cleavers tea.

Good for All Body Types:

• Aduki beans, quinoa, red lentils, kombu seaweed, lemon balm, apple cider vinegar.

Hydration & Fiber:

• Fiber is essential for binding bile and eliminating toxins.

• Drink plenty of water to keep bile thin and flowing—dehydration leads to sludgy bile.

• Include raw foods like leafy greens and sprouts for folic acid, which supports liver health.

Lifestyle Practices for Liver & Gallbladder Health

• Breathing Exercises: Deep abdominal breathing oxygenates the body and alkalizes bile.

• Movement: Exercise stimulates bile flow and increases blood circulation to the liver.

• Detoxification: Regular sweating through sauna or movement helps release stored toxins.

Summary: How to Support Your Liver & Gallbladder

1. Eat the right foods: Bitter greens, beets, radishes, and high-fiber foods.

2. Hydrate properly: Drink clean water and avoid dehydration.

3. Support detox pathways: Regular exercise, sweating, and deep breathing.

4. Balance emotions: Release stored anger, worry, and frustration to support healing.

5. Encourage bile flow: Avoid low-fat diets, use digestive bitters, and eat healthy fats.

When you nourish your liver and gallbladder, you improve digestion, energy, and emotional balance. By making small shifts daily, you create long-term wellness and vitality.