Healing the Gut to Aid the Liver: A Functional Nutrition Case Study

When a 35-year-old male client came to me in August 2025, he had recently been told by his physician that he had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and was advised to lose weight. His liver enzymes had been elevated for years, and despite maintaining a gluten-free diet for his celiac diagnosis, he continued to experience bloating, stomach gurgling, loose stools each morning, and persistent hunger.

His health history offered deeper context. In 2016, after a bout of mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr virus infection, his liver enzymes first spiked. Though they briefly stabilized after a “gentle herbal liver detox,” they fluctuated for years. Along the way, he developed digestive discomfort, itchy rashes, and puffiness, all signs of systemic inflammation. By 2022, he was formally diagnosed with celiac disease, which explained part of the puzzle - but even after removing gluten - his symptoms, liver function, and digestion remained suboptimal.

Phase One: Gut Repair Before Liver Detox

When we began working together, his August 2025 labs showed an ALT of 110 U/L and AST of 44 U/L. Rather than beginning with a liver cleanse, we focused first on repairing the gut–liver axis—the critical link between intestinal health, inflammation, and liver detox capacity.

We implemented a gut-healing protocol using several Klaire Labs products:

• Ther-Biotic® Complete to rebalance the microbiome

• Vital-Zymes™ Complete to aid digestion and nutrient absorption

• L-Glutamine Powder to strengthen the intestinal lining

• Galactomune® for prebiotic fiber and immune modulation

  
  

He also began following an anti-inflammatory dietary pattern emphasizing cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, arugula, Brussels sprouts), lean proteins, olive and avocado oil, nuts, seeds, and fiber-rich foods while minimizing added sugars and processed carbohydrates.

Within one month, he reported meaningful digestive improvements:

“My stools are firmer and less frequent—one to two times daily instead of three to four—and I have far less stomach cramping, acid, and gas.”

These early results indicated that his gut barrier was healing and the inflammatory load on the liver was decreasing.

Phase Two: Lab Re-Evaluation and Key Findings

After ten weeks of consistent gut and dietary support, we repeated his labs via Fullscript in October 2025—before adding any liver-directed supplements. His results showed remarkable progress:

• AST dropped from 44 → 27 U/L (within normal range)

• ALT decreased from 110 → 50 U/L, just four points above normal

“I was very surprised and thankful to see that my AST is back to normal and my ALT is only four points away from normal. My levels haven’t been this good in years. I really think taking time to heal my gut and incorporating the supplements and dietary changes helped tremendously."

This improvement confirmed that addressing gut inflammation and nutrient absorption alone can significantly impact liver health and metabolic function.

Phase Three: Gentle Liver & Nutrient Support

With digestion stable and liver enzymes trending in the right direction, he is now phasing in gentle liver and nutrient support to sustain long-term healing:

• Milk Thistle for liver cell repair and antioxidant protection

• BrocColinate® Activated (sulforaphane) to enhance phase II detox pathways

• Dandelion Root Tea to encourage bile flow

• Magnesium Glycinate (200–300 mg at bedtime) to aid healthy liver enzymes

  and glucose balance

• Methyl-B12 (500–1000 mcg daily) to support methylation and glutathione recycling

  
  

In the meantime, we're working to optimize his nutrient levels (vitamin D, iron, glucose, HgbA1c, ALT.) We will re-evaluate his labs in another three months as he continues phase three. This case beautifully illustrates the core principle of integrative nutrition: when you heal the gut first, the liver naturally follows. By reducing inflammatory triggers, optimizing digestion, and layering in targeted nutrient support, true and lasting metabolic healing can occur—no harsh detox required.

All of the above labs and supplements were prescribed using my online Fullscript dispensary. If you have any nutritional needs, simply create a FREE account and I'll personally reach out to assist!