COMPENDIUM ON FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE - Flipbook - Page 237
Phase II:
Next, the liver adds molecules to these byproducts to neutralize
them and make them easier to eliminate through urine or bile.
In functional blood chemistry, understanding the two phases of
liver detoxification provides context for evaluating detox capacity
and toxic burden. Identifying imbalances between Phases I and II
helps guide more precise and supportive interventions.
Although the liver is a single organ, its many functions are closely
connected. When the liver is under stress or not functioning
properly, several systems in the body can be affected at once.
This interconnectedness underscores the importance of
maintaining liver health for overall well-being.
Comprehensive liver panels can help establish a baseline and
track progress4especially during detox protocols or other
root-cause methodologies.
These panels are often ordered when symptoms like fatigue,
bloating, jaundice, itchy skin, pale stools, easy bruising, or nausea
are present. Abnormal findings on routine labs, like a
comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), can also prompt a closer
look at liver function. Liver abnormalities are among the
extra-intestinal manifestations associated with celiac disease. As
such, all patients with unexplained elevations in liver enzymes
should be screened for celiac disease.
Even without a diagnosed liver condition, comprehensive liver
panels can provide valuable insights into how well the liver
handles toxins, hormones, digestion, and overall metabolic load.
These panels offer a practical way to monitor changes and assess
how the body responds to support over time, making them a
valuable tool in maintaining liver health.
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