If you're in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, you've probably noticed that seemingly random symptoms are becoming your new normal. I'm talking low energy levels, belly bloat, brain fog, achy joints, and skin that's suddenly acting like when you were a moody teenager.
Even if you're doing all the right things—eating clean, moving your body, managing stress—you might not feel “sick,” but you don’t feel vibrant either.
Here’s what I want you to hear, loud and clear:
It’s not your age.
It’s probably your liver and kidneys.
Liver & Kidneys: The Unsung Heroes of Midlife Health
That “not vibrant” feeling is often the result of chronic inflammation, rooted in causes including nutrient deficiencies, infections, stress/trauma, and toxin exposure. In fact, toxins are a big part of how energized, motivated, and content we feel each day.
You see, our modern world is chock-full of pollutants. And the truth is, our bodies simply weren’t designed to manage both the internal toxins we naturally create and the overwhelming number we now face externally.
In the last hundred or so years (really since the Industrial Revolution back in the late 19th century), chronic toxic exposures have risen alongside all the innovations and conveniences we’ve developed.
Our food supply is increasingly processed, packaged, and laden with additives and preservatives that our bodies don't recognize as nourishment. And we're exposed to more synthetic chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, air and water pollutants, electromagnetic fields (EMFs), and other environmental toxins than ever before.
Take glyphosate, for example. It's the most widely used herbicide in the world, found in over 750 products and sprayed on almost every field of corn, cotton, and soybeans in the United States. [1,2] Despite being marketed as safe, studies have linked glyphosate exposure to increased risk of certain cancers, gut dysbiosis, and liver and kidney damage. [3] And that's just one of the countless chemicals we encounter daily.
Your liver and kidneys are crucially important to how well your body processes these chemicals and internal/external toxins. When your detox pathways are overburdened, it's like a slow leak in your vitality. You might not notice it at first, but over time, the wear and tear starts to show up in frustrating ways.
Let’s explore how detoxification works and what you can do to support your liver and kidneys in midlife and beyond.
Keeping Your Drainage Pathways Open
Your liver and kidneys are just two of the organs that make up your internal drainage pathway. This complex system also includes your lymphatic vessels, skin, lungs, and intestines/colon. The primary function of this pathway is to move toxins and waste out of your cells and tissues, into your blood or lymph, and ultimately out of your body through urine, stool, sweat, or breath.
But if your drainage pathways are blocked or sluggish, toxins and waste can't efficiently make their way out of your body. This can lead to a buildup of toxins in your tissues, causing inflammation and a variety of unwelcome symptoms, like:
- Constipation or irregular bowel movements
- Bloating, gas, acid reflux, or other digestive issues
- Brain fog, fuzzy thinking, or forgetfulness
- Low energy or feeling like you need a nap most days
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Waking up groggy and unrefreshed, no matter how much sleep you get
- Food cravings or sensitivities
- Sensitivity to fragrances, chemicals, or alcohol
- Anxiety, depression, or other mood imbalances
- Puffy face or limbs
- Hormonal imbalances and noticeable symptoms related to perimenopause, menopause, or andropause (the hormonal shifts men experience in midlife)
- Stubborn weight gain, especially around the middle
- Headaches or migraines
- Joint pain or stiffness that comes and goes
- Breakouts, dryness, or dull, lackluster skin
- Rashes, eczema, or skin itchiness
We always open our drainage pathways before doing any sort of detoxification protocol. Trying to detox without adequate drainage is like trying to flush a clogged toilet—it just makes a bigger mess.
The good news is, there are simple ways to encourage your body's natural drainage processes:
Hydration
Aim for drinking half your body weight in ounces of water. Drinking plenty of water and other hydrating fluids helps to flush toxins out of your system and keep your blood and lymph flowing smoothly.
Movement
Physical activity, especially exercises that involve bouncing or jumping, can help stimulate lymphatic flow and promote detoxification.
Dry brushing
This simple technique involves gently brushing your skin with a soft-bristled brush, starting at your feet and moving toward your heart. This helps to stimulate lymphatic flow and remove dead skin cells.
Castor oil packs
Applying a castor oil-soaked cloth to your skin, particularly over your liver or abdomen, can help to stimulate circulation and promote detoxification. I love Queen of the Thrones (enter LAURAFRONTIERO to take 10% off).
Lymphatic massage
This specialized type of massage focuses on gentle, rhythmic strokes to encourage the flow of lymph throughout your body, helping to clear out toxins and reduce swelling. It’s very different from a muscle massage. Check out YouTube for some great tutorials.
Regular sweating
Sweating through exercise or infrared sauna use can help mobilize toxins stored in your fat cells and eliminate them through your skin.
Fiber
Getting enough fiber in your diet is crucial for regular bowel movements, which are a primary pathway for toxin elimination. Aim for at least 25 grams per day from whole food sources like vegetables, fruits, legumes, and gluten-free grains. High-quality fiber supplementation helps, too.
Breathwork
Deep, diaphragmatic breathing stimulates your lymphatic system, which doesn't have a pump like your cardiovascular system. Breath practices like alternate nostril breathing or “breath of fire” can boost lymphatic flow.
Restful sleep
Your brain's glymphatic system, which is like the lymphatic system for your central nervous system, does most of its cleanup work while you sleep. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
Support your gut
A healthy gut microbiome is essential for proper elimination and detoxification. Include fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir to support a diverse microbiome. If you're not regularly eating fermented foods, a high-quality probiotic supplement can also help.
Relieve stress daily
Chronic stress can impair your body's natural detox processes by keeping your sympathetic nervous system in “fight or flight” mode. Incorporate relaxation practices like meditation, journaling, gentle yoga, or nature walks to activate your parasympathetic “rest and digest” state.
Once your internal drainage pathways are open and free-flowing, you’re ready to support your liver and kidneys so they can actually detox more effectively.
Your Liver: The Ultimate Multitasker
Your liver juggles over 500 essential functions. It's a master metabolizer, breaking down elements like hormones, medications, and toxins so they can be safely ushered out of your system.
This detox process happens in three distinct phases, each with its own nutrient and enzyme requirements. Think of it as a complex factory assembly line that depends on every worker showing up and doing their part.
Phase 1: Transformation
In this first phase, liver enzymes, primarily the cytochrome P450 family (mixed-function oxidases), transform fat-soluble toxins into intermediate compounds such as reactive oxygen species, epoxides, quinones, or hydroxylated metabolites, that can be further processed. Picture a demolition crew breaking down an old building into rubble. The debris is now easier to haul away or repurpose, but in its current state, it’s still messy and potentially hazardous until it’s processed further
Phase 2: Conjugation
Next, the liver adds specific molecules such as glucuronic acid, sulfate, glutathione, amino acids, or acetyl groups to the transformed toxins to make them water-soluble. This is the “packaging” phase, getting everything ready for safe transport out of the body.
Imagine this: after the demolition crew has broken the building into rubble, a cleanup team arrives with containers, labels, and protective wraps. They carefully package each pile of debris, adding “tags” like glucuronic acid, sulfate, glutathione, amino acids, or acetyl groups, so it can be safely loaded onto trucks and hauled away without spilling or causing harm. This is the “packaging” phase, preparing everything for safe transport out of the body.
Phase 3: Transport
Finally, the liver cells release the packaged toxins into the bile or bloodstream, where they make their way to the bowels or kidneys for elimination. It's the final leg of the detox journey, ensuring waste is properly disposed of. Like dump trucks hauling the construction rubble to the dump.
Now, imagine if this complex process were to slow down or get overwhelmed.
It’s like that infamous chocolate factory episode from I Love Lucy where Lucy and Ethel are struggling to keep up as the conveyor belt speeds faster and faster, with chocolates piling up everywhere.
When your liver's detox “assembly line” is hampered by nutrient deficiencies (tired, under-resourced workers), sluggish bile flow (slow conveyor belts), or an overwhelming toxic burden (too many chocolates, not enough wrappers), partially processed compounds can build up in your system.
This congestion can lead to estrogen dominance, a condition where you have too much estrogen in relation to progesterone. Symptoms often include PMS, heavy periods, mood swings, hot flashes, and stubborn weight gain, especially around the middle.
Other signs your liver may need some love include:
- Waking up between 1:00-3:00 AM consistently – This is when your liver is most active in detoxification. If it's overburdened, it can wake you up.
- Itchy or blotchy skin – Your skin is your body's largest detox organ. Skin issues can be a sign that your liver needs support.
- Chronic fatigue – An overloaded liver can't efficiently convert nutrients into energy, leaving you tired.
- Chemical sensitivities – If you're reacting to perfumes, cleaning products, or other chemicals more than usual, your liver may be struggling.
- Constipation – Bile from the liver is needed to move waste through the intestines. If bile flow is sluggish, constipation can result.
- Pain under right ribcage – This is where your liver is located; pain or discomfort in this area can indicate liver congestion.
And while I wish we all had delicious chocolate byproducts in our livers, we don’t. So, another analogy might be if your city's waste management system got backed up. At first, it might just be an unpleasant odor or a little overflow. But left unchecked, it would turn into a full-blown sanitation crisis. #yikes
That's why supporting your liver's detox capacity is key to maintaining hormone balance, mental clarity, and overall health and resilience in midlife and beyond.
How To Support Your Liver
Effective strategies to optimize your liver function include:
- Adding bitter greens like arugula, dandelion, and watercress to your meals – These greens stimulate bile flow, which helps your liver flush out toxins more efficiently. [4]
- Aim for at least one serving of cruciferous vegetables a day – Veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage contain compounds that activate phase 2 detox enzymes in your liver. [5]
- Take liver-supporting supplements – Milk thistle, artichoke leaf, and dandelion root offer benefits that can help protect liver cells and promote bile flow.
- Support glutathione production – N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and glycine are precursors to glutathione, your body's master antioxidant, which is crucial for liver detox. [6]
- Minimize alcohol consumption – Your liver is responsible for processing alcohol, so giving it a break can help it focus on other detox tasks.
- Ensure adequate B vitamin intake – B vitamins, especially methylated forms of folate and B12, are essential for both phases of liver detoxification. [7] You can get these from a high-quality B complex supplement or foods like leafy greens, eggs, and organ meats.
- Avoid storing or heating food in plastic – Many plastics contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA and phthalates that can burden your liver. Choose glass or stainless steel instead.
- Minimize exposure to toxins in your food, water, air, and personal care products – Opt for organic produce, filter your water, use an air purifier, and choose natural, nontoxic personal care and cleaning products whenever possible.
By incorporating these strategies, you're giving your liver the raw materials and support it needs to carry out its myriad detox functions effectively.
Your Kidneys: The 24/7 Filtration System
While your liver is busy breaking down toxins, your kidneys are working overtime to filter your blood, to the tune of about 50 gallons a day! [8] These bean-shaped organs serve as the ultimate purification system: removing waste, balancing electrolytes and minerals, and regulating blood pressure.
Just like a sophisticated state-of-the-art water filter screens out impurities and chemicals from your drinking water, your kidneys meticulously clean your blood, sending the waste to your bladder for elimination. But what happens when that filter gets clogged or overwhelmed? The water pressure drops, impurities build up, and suddenly, your sparkling clean water is looking a bit murky. In short, the entire system starts to struggle, potentially damaging appliances and tainting everything downstream.
The same thing can happen in your body when your kidneys are under stress from poor drainage, dehydration, or a high toxic burden.
Waste products back up in your bloodstream. That internal “murkiness” can manifest as puffiness, fatigue, headaches, and even itchy skin—all signs your filtration system needs attention.
As the “backup” increases, suboptimal kidney function can show up as fluid retention, swollen ankles, and even low back discomfort. On a deeper level, it can contribute to brain fog, irritability, skin issues, and premature aging.
These are all indications your body is asking for help.
How To Support Your Kidneys
Here are some key strategies to keep your kidneys functioning optimally:
- Stay hydrated with purified water and herbal teas – Adequate hydration is essential for your kidneys to efficiently filter waste and toxins from your blood.
- Try kidney-supportive botanicals – Parsley, cilantro, and chlorella have gentle detoxifying properties that can support kidney function. [9, 10, 11]
- Mind your mineral intake – Certain minerals like potassium and magnesium are crucial for kidney health, but check with your doctor if you have any underlying kidney issues.
- Limit processed foods – High sodium and phosphate additives in processed foods can strain your kidneys over time.
- Sip on unsweetened cranberry juice – Compounds in cranberries called proanthocyanidins can help prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract lining, lowering your risk factor for getting a kidney infection. [12]
- Try nettle leaf tea – Stinging nettle is a gentle diuretic that can help flush excess fluids and waste through your kidneys.
Implementing these kidney-supporting practices, along with the liver-optimizing strategies, can significantly boost your body's detoxification abilities.
The Case for Proactive Detoxification
I tell my clients this all the time: Detoxification isn't just something we should think about when things have gone haywire. In fact, waiting until we're deep in the throes of hormone chaos or chronic symptoms is like waiting to change the oil in your car until the engine seizes up.
I also want to be clear – when I say detoxification, I do not mean a “cleanse.” Putting your body through an extreme deprivation protocol (like the Master Cleanse, a water fast, or drinking only juice for a week) can actually do more harm than good, especially if you haven’t properly opened those drainage pathways.
“Detoxing” actually means giving your body what it needs to do its job of clearing out those pollutants, repairing any damage or injury, and reducing chronic inflammation. It’s a nurturing process, not a depriving one.
Proactive, consistent support for your liver, kidneys, and drainage pathways can help you sidestep a lot of the common pitfalls of aging. It's about lightening the load on your hardworking detox organs, so they can keep doing their job of keeping you balanced and resilient.
But by supporting your body's innate detoxification processes on a daily basis, you're giving your cells and tissues the opportunity to release stored toxins and function at their best. It's like a daily tune-up for your hardest-working organs.
Optimizing Your Detox Pathways for Vibrant Midlife Health
Midlife is a time of great change in your body. But it doesn’t have to mean slowing down or feeling like a stranger in your own skin. Don’t resign yourself to brain fog, stubborn weight gain, or unpredictable hormones.
If you want to reclaim your energy, clarity, and hormone harmony in midlife, give your liver and kidneys some much-deserved attention. These quiet champions are working behind the scenes 24/7 to keep you feeling your best.
This is where a functional health approach can be tremendously helpful. By using advanced testing to identify exactly what's going on in your body—things like nutrient deficiencies, toxic burdens, gut dysbiosis, or genetic variations that impact detox pathways—we can create a personalized plan to shore up the areas that need more support and nurture the areas that are doing well.
For instance, on a comprehensive gut health test, we can see markers that indicate liver congestion or impaired detoxification capacity. We can also identify beneficial bacteria that support detox, as well as opportunistic microbes that hinder it. This information guides us in crafting targeted protocols using specific foods, supplements, and lifestyle strategies to rebalance your detox function and microbiome.
With this personalized approach, you're not just managing symptoms—you're creating a foundation of resilience that can serve you for years to come. You're investing in your most precious asset: your health.
Curious about what this “tailored-to-you” approach looks like?
It all starts with a simple discovery call where we go through your current experience and your health goals.
No matter your age or stage in life, you deserve to feel vibrant, energized, and fully alive. It all starts with optimizing your liver and kidneys.
Take Good Care,
References
[1] Glyphosate General Fact Sheet. (n.d.). https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/glyphogen.html#products
[2 Adoption of genetically engineered crops in the United States – Recent trends in GE adoption | Economic Research Service. (n.d.). https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/adoption-of-genetically-engineered-crops-in-the-united-states/recent-trends-in-ge-adoption
[3] Peillex, C., & Pelletier, M. (2020). The impact and toxicity of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides on health and immunity. Journal of Immunotoxicology, 17(1), 163–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/1547691x.2020.1804492
[4] McMullen, M. K., Whitehouse, J. M., & Towell, A. (2015). Bitters: Time for a new paradigm. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/670504
[5] Nho, C. W., & Jeffery, E. (2001). The synergistic upregulation of phase II detoxification enzymes by glucosinolate breakdown products in cruciferous vegetables. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 174(2), 146–152. https://doi.org/10.1006/taap.2001.9207
[6] Honda, Y., Kessoku, T., Sumida, Y., Kobayashi, T., Kato, T., Ogawa, Y., Tomeno, W., Imajo, K., Fujita, K., Yoneda, M., Kataoka, K., Taguri, M., Yamanaka, T., Seko, Y., Tanaka, S., Saito, S., Ono, M., Oeda, S., Eguchi, Y., . . . Nakajima, A. (2017). Efficacy of glutathione for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: an open-label, single-arm, multicenter, pilot study. BMC Gastroenterology, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-017-0652-3
[7] Lucock, M. (2000). Folic acid: nutritional biochemistry, molecular biology, and role in disease processes. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, 71(1–2), 121–138. https://doi.org/10.1006/mgme.2000.3027
[8] Kidney Function. (n.d.). National Kidney Foundation. https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/kidney-function
[9] Alobaidi, S. (2024). Renal health benefits and therapeutic effects of parsley (Petroselinum crispum): a review. Frontiers in Medicine, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1494740
[10] Nishio, R., Tamano, H., Morioka, H., Takeuchi, A., & Takeda, A. (2019). Intake of Heated Leaf Extract of Coriandrum sativum Contributes to Resistance to Oxidative Stress via Decreases in Heavy Metal Concentrations in the Kidney. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 74(2), 204–209. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-019-00720-2
[11] Nephroprotective Activity of Green Microalgae, Chlorella sorokiniana Isolated from Jordanian Water. (2022, December 2). Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology. https://microbiologyjournal.org/nephroprotective-activity-of-green-microalgae-chlorella-sorokiniana-isolated-from-jordanian-water/
[12] Jangid, H., Shidiki, A., & Kumar, G. (2025). Cranberry-derived bioactives for the prevention and treatment of urinary tract infections: antimicrobial mechanisms and global research trends in nutraceutical applications. Frontiers in Nutrition, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1502720
