How I Became a Liver Health Expert

Getting hepatitis a and b in high school certainly got my dad’s attention who started the local medical clinic in my home town. My dad taught me about the liver early in my life. In all respects, I owe my parents everything for taking care of me when I was sick in high school, but since they are long gone, the only way I can repay them is to help YOU. Since I am not a medical doctor I can’t prescribe, but I am a Naturopathic Doctor and I can certainly tell you my recovery story. If I tell you everything I did to recover then you can take what you need and heal too. But I also have to tell you how I learned so much and that is why I show what I learned from my dad who was a medical doctor. Everyone in my home town appreciated my Dad, but learning from him directly and indirectly and having hepatitis a, b and c was a big part of my development to becoming a liver health expert.. To understand exactly what I mean I have to give a little background.

What Does the Liver Actually Do?

If you’re wondering exactly what role the liver plays in your body, here’s what my dad taught me (often with a well-worn anatomy chart in hand): The liver is your body’s master detoxifier and multitasker. It works around the clock to filter toxins from your bloodstream, break down medications, and process the nutrients you get from your meals into forms your body can use. On top of all that, it helps to balance energy, stores key vitamins, and even produces crucial proteins that keep other organs running smoothly. Think of it as your body’s very own Swiss Army knife—one organ, hundreds of vital jobs.

In his twenties and early thirties my father was an engineer living in Indiana and working in Chicago and Indianapolis. When his house burned to the ground in midwinter, he lost everything, the water pipes were frozen. At 32 years of age, he told my mother, "I want to follow my dream and become a doctor." This was around 1939 and within a week and with only the clothes on their backs with my oldest sister in their arms (one year old) they left for New Orleans and my dad enrolled in Tulane Medical School.

Along with learning all about surgery in Oscher's "Bull Pin", he also specialized in Internal Medicine and Tropical Diseases. World War II was now raging on two fronts and he was in the Naval Reserves. At Tulane, my Dad taught Anatomy & Physiology and specialized in tropical disease. Particularly, he trained the medics about malaria recovery who were going to the Pacific theater of the war. Malaria is a parasite infestation of the liver and General MacArthur lost many men to the disease. He once said, “I don’t know which is worse, the fight to the death Japs with their kamikazes or dissentary and malaria.” Yes, diarrhea, hepatitis, malaria were just as much a threat to our troops on the ground in the islands of the Philippines as the enemy. This was a serious threat, so my dad taught medics the proper ways in diet and lifestyle for good liver health. In short, you could say my dad was a surgeon, general practitioner and a hepatologists. Coming out of the depression, the rations of the war and losing everything from the fire, my dad learned practical things how to make everything work with very few resources, even when it came to getting over diseases of the liver. I am certain that my dad’s training of the medics resulted in saving many lives.

Later in the early 1950’s my family moved to Northwest Florida, where my dad started his clinic. Many times when my mother went shopping she would drop me off at the clinic instead of hiring a baby sitter. My Dad would say; “go to the lab and don’t bother the patients.” The lab tech Rex Golden would show me how to use the microscope and explain the tests he was doing. He also taught me how everything worked and what disease looked like in the blood and urine samples under the microscope. He taught me the preparations of the sample and different uses of the lab equipment; like the agitator, centrifuge and X-Ray machine. For my mother, I was better off being there than hiring a babysitter. For me, it was an adventure! Eventually I learned about protocols and general use of every piece of equipment in the lab. This was a military town with the largest air force base in the world. So everyone I was around growing up; proper protocol was the order of the day, it was a way of life. By middle school I took shop where the retired air force engineer was our instructor. He taught us mechanical drawing in the beginning of class. So we had to draw it before we would use the equipment and build it. Protocol there was strict, but I learned. In high school, I learned the slide rule and typing. In order to pass the classes I had to do a proper report and all double spaced with all the calculations. Between being at the laboratory and the influence of the military all through school I developed an analytic mind set. This was during the time when I was 8 to 15 years old. Even before middle school I had my own microscope at home and dabbled with my brother’s chemistry set. During those formative years I aspired to be a scientist.

By the late 1960’s I was finishing high school, but was radical and rebellious in my lifestyle and my thinking. As far as health was concerned, that did not do me any good. In high school my little crowd of friends; 4 guys and 3 girls had already come down with hepatitis A and B. Then my mother died from liver cancer in 1973 and in 1981 I was diagnosed with with a non-A and non-B viral hepatitis. In 1991, I discovered it was life threatening hepatitis C. You could say I say I was hepatitis magnet. It was inevitable; after losing my mom to liver cancer and getting hepatitis a, b and c that the liver was always on my mind. If you can imagine, I always had to face my Dad and the conversation about the liver always came up. Even as early as the 1970’s if I ever complained about being depressed or not having enough energy my dad had the same comment: "Johnny, it’s your liver." Every time he said that it made me so angry, but I knew he was right. He always told me to stay away from liquor and as a result I never became a big drinker. The few times that I did drink, I drank too much and did stupid things like snorting cocaine, that I wish never happened.

Looking back now, I realize my dad was warning me about more than just alcohol. He was speaking from the kind of wisdom you only gain after living through loss and regret. Avoiding risky behaviors—like illicit drug use or having unprotected sex with multiple partners—wasn’t some overprotective lecture; it was practical advice meant to save me from the very viral hepatitis diagnoses that seemed to follow me through life. At the time, I thought he was being melodramatic, but those warnings were grounded in hard reality.

The study of the liver was so serious in my life and with my analytic mindset I eventually learned everything I could about it. Many times I was sincere when I asked my Dad more about liver health and chemistry. Sometimes, he would go into the details far and wide. He would tell me about foods and exercise and how it all works either for the good or for the detriment of the liver. Other times we would argue about liver health—what was good and what was bad. You see, this was when I was in my twenties; I had a full set of S & K tools and restored classic cars and drove them around. In a silly way, I thought I was the Funz in that TV show Happy Days, driving those old cars and going to talk to girls to ride with me. It takes a lot of mechanical work keeping an old car going, so I was always under the hood or under the car fixing something. However, my Dad pointed out how dangerous it was for my liver being exposed to petrol fumes from alcohol, grease, cleaners, gasoline and the like. But, I thought I was Funzy and did not listen to him and soon learned all those fumes were devastating to liver health. When I would feel so tired at such a young age and looked at the results of laboratory blood tests, I saw the liver enzyme levels were way too high. Studying the lab results and learning about blood and liver chemistry became second nature to me. It seemed like I was destined since an early age to be involved with a laboratory and its procedure.



Everyday Choices for Liver Health



Looking back, I realize my dad’s advice was rooted in more than just parental concern—he understood, maybe better than I did, just how much our daily habits shape the fate of our livers. The liver, after all, is the body’s main filtration system: it sifts toxins out, cleans the blood, and is the unsung hero turning nutrients and medications into the proteins that keep us going. It’s no wonder he was always quick to point out that what I ate, how much I moved, and even what I breathed in could either help or harm this vital organ.

Some hard truths I had to learn the long way:

• Alcohol isn’t your liver’s friend. My dad always warned me to steer clear, but the times I did drink, I learned firsthand why the experts say less is more. Routine overindulgence can really hammer the liver, and no amount of “cleansing” can undo that damage. If you do drink, keep it modest—no more than a couple drinks a day if you really must.
• Weight matters. I didn’t think much about body fat back then, but it turns out carrying extra weight puts real strain on the liver. Obesity is closely linked to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, something that’s becoming more common as lifestyles change. The fat can inflame the liver, eventually leading to scarring and, if ignored, even cirrhosis.
• Exposure isn’t just about what you eat or drink. Working under cars, I was breathing in all sorts of chemicals—gasoline, solvents, who knows what else—all of which can quietly batter the liver over time.

If there’s one thing the years (and my blood tests) have taught me, it’s that protecting your liver isn’t about any magic bullet. It’s about the sum of small, sometimes boring choices—eating well, moving your body, keeping the “good times” in check, and staying mindful of what you’re exposed to. For me, that lesson started in the garage and the kitchen, and it’s one I keep learning to this day.

Risk Factors That Signal It's Time for a Liver Check

Given all of the above, you can see why the question of “Should I get my liver checked?” was almost a running theme in my life. Through both personal experience (and a little old-fashioned stubbornness), I learned that certain risk factors should never be ignored—because, sometimes, your liver can be waving distress signals that you don’t even feel.

Here are some of the big red flags that mean it’s worth scheduling a screening:

• A love affair with happy hour: Regular or heavy alcohol use, even if you think you "handle it well."
• Family liver troubles: If anyone in your family has battled liver disease, consider yourself on notice.
• Living in the fast lane (or the old school days): If you ever experimented with injectable drugs (past or present), or had blood transfusions before 1992 (back when disco might still have been lingering on the airwaves), you’re at increased risk, especially for hepatitis C.
• Needles at work: Folks in healthcare, or anyone who's had an accidental needlestick, especially if the source was someone with hepatitis C.
• Dialysis patients: Time spent on hemodialysis ups your risk for hepatitis C, regardless of how careful the clinic.
• Unregulated tattoos or piercings: If you got inked or pierced somewhere that looked a little sketchy—or, let’s just say, “less than OSHA-approved”—that can be a risk factor too.
• HIV-positive status: Being HIV-positive also means the liver deserves some extra TLC and vigilance.

If reading through this list strikes a familiar chord, don’t just brush it off or save it for future “to-dos.” As they say in every lab report—early detection can be the difference between a minor detour and a major roadblock on your journey.



As a professional I started working at Davenport Laboratories in 1984 and learned about elemental analysis from Jim Davenport and Jeffrey Bland in North Dallas. Jim Davenport was a pioneer and helped develop hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) in the 1970s and the director Jeffrey Bland was instrumental in overseeing the protocols, including diet and supplement recommendations. In 1985, I started working with Jim and helped further develop the analysis and eventually become the chairman of Davenport Laboratoriesin Addison, Texas, Soon, I reformulated all the diet and supplement protocol...

Setting Limits: How Much Alcohol Is Too Much?

Now, if you're wondering just how much alcohol is considered “safe” for your liver, here’s the scoop my dad would’ve hammered home: moderation is key. For most guys, keeping it to no more than three drinks a day is where you draw the line. For women, the cutoff is usually no more than two. It’s not about being a teetotaler (believe me, my old crowd would have laughed at that), but rather not letting one drink turn into a bad habit that taxes your liver night after night.

Staying within these limits goes a long way in steering clear of the kind of damage that can creep up silently and, next thing you know, you’re staring at those sky-high liver enzymes on your lab results. That’s when my dad’s words would ring loudest: keep it in check, or pay the price later.

Navigating Liver Disease: Medical Treatments That Make a Difference

Given everything I’ve been through with my own liver, I know firsthand there’s no magic cleanse that will undo damage overnight (despite what you might overhear at the health food store). The good news is, for each type of liver trouble, science has given us real, concrete solutions — and not just the advice your dad repeats for twenty years straight.

Let’s break down what options are out there, starting with the usual suspects that haunted my own medical charts.

• Hepatitis A and B: If you haven’t already, getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and B is step one—especially if you’ve had liver problems before. For people who’ve already picked up chronic hepatitis B along the way, there are powerful oral antiviral medications now (like entecavir or tenofovir) that can keep the virus quiet and fend off serious damage. When I was a kid, we just crossed our fingers and hoped for the best; now there’s science on your side.
• Alcoholic Liver Disease: This one isn’t rocket science but it is strict: quitting all forms of alcohol is your ticket to giving your liver a fighting chance. The body is stubbornly resilient, and, if you stop the daily hits, your liver can bounce back more than you’d expect. For anyone who struggles with quitting, support programs like AA or working with addiction specialists can make all the difference. No need to tackle it solo.
• Hepatitis C: After my own years of mystery liver trouble, discovering modern treatments for hepatitis C felt like science fiction. These days, direct-acting antiviral pills (think sofosbuvir or glecaprevir combos) can clear the virus in over 95% of cases, usually with just a few months of treatment. When I finally got on treatment, it was night-and-day from the old days of interferon.
• Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Here’s where car talk and science collide—the fix isn’t a magic supplement but getting your “engine” running more efficiently. Dropping extra weight, regular exercise, and dialing in what you eat (think Mediterranean diet, fewer processed carbs) can melt away extra fat in the liver and lower inflammation. With discipline, it can reverse the numbers on those lab tests that once made me nervous.

Each diagnosis is its own road trip, but nobody has to drive it blind. Medical advances, good old-fashioned discipline, and leaning on the right team make a world of difference.



Can Supplements and Herbal Cleanses Harm the Liver?



Through all this trial and error, let me warn you: not all that glitters in the vitamin aisle is gold—especially when it comes to promises about "liver cleanses." Over the years, I saw fads come and go—herbal detoxes, miracle weight loss teas, spirulina powders—each claiming to scrub your insides clean. The reality? There’s not much solid science showing these cleanses have any real benefit, and sometimes they do more harm than good.

I’ve personally reviewed countless lab results where liver damage traced back to a so-called “herbal cleanse” or over-the-counter supplement. Even seemingly harmless things like green tea extract, kava, or certain weight loss pills can throw your liver for a loop. I can think of cases where otherwise healthy folks landed in the ER with sky-high liver enzymes after trying a “detox” they saw on late-night TV.

Here’s what I learned the hard way:

• Supplements are not all strictly regulated for safety or potency.
• Ingredients like kava, comfrey, or high doses of vitamin A can be toxic to the liver.
• Even popular nutrition shops push products that—even in small doses—can stress an already vulnerable organ.

So, if you’re ever tempted by the latest herbal cure-all, it’s best to run it by a doctor (or a very thorough lab tech like myself) before giving it a whirl.

Obesity and Its Impact on Liver Health

Now, if you’re wondering whether carrying around extra weight plays a role in liver health, the answer is an emphatic yes. All that surplus weight, especially when it accumulates around the waistline, doesn’t just affect how your jeans fit—it puts a real strain on your liver. What happens is that excess fat starts making itself at home inside the liver cells, often without any help from alcohol. Over time, this fat buildup triggers inflammation, and that’s where the real trouble begins.



The inflammation can quietly escalate into scarring, known in the lab as fibrosis, and for some unlucky folks, it can go the distance to cirrhosis—the endgame when it comes to chronic liver disease. Not so long ago, hepatitis was the main villain behind liver transplants, but with fast food joints on every corner and portion sizes ballooning, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (or NAFLD if you like acronyms) is quickly catching up. The numbers keep climbing in America, and experts expect NAFLD to be the leading reason for liver transplants within a generation.

So, if I learned anything from poring over bloodwork and arguing with my dad about what lands us in hot water with our livers, it’s this: those extra pounds aren’t just an eyesore—they’re a silent threat to liver health. Keeping a healthy weight isn’t just about vanity; it’s one of the best things you can do for your liver, no matter what decade you’re cruising through.

As a professional I started working at Davenport Laboratories in 1984 and learned about elemental analysis from Jim Davenport and Jeffrey Bland in North Dallas. Jim Davenport was a pioneer and helped develop hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) in the 1970s and the director Jeffrey Bland was instrumental in overseeing the protocols, including diet and supplement recommendations. In 1985, I started working with Jim and helped further develop the analysis and eventually become the chairman of Davenport Laboratories in Addison, Texas, Soon, I reformulated all the diet and supplement protocols that the laboratory provided to the medical doctors with the HTMA.. I trained the medical doctors how to interpret the HTMA and their patients responded well to my new protocols. Later in my career, I became a professional thought-leader in the nutritional and whole food supplement industry for over 24 years, by getting my Ph.D. and by accumulating an in-depth understanding of the liver chemistry and addiction. Part of the healing process I learned was from the nutrition and proper diet from the HTMA and the lab. All this knowledge and experience coupled with learning natural recovery from hepatitis A, B and C and cirrhosis, I emerged into a particular focus and expertise on how to develop good liver health with non chemical drug solutions and prevention. And, YES; the liver can totally regenerate itself.

Understanding Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: The Modern Epidemic

Now, let’s talk about nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD as the doctors like to call it—a term that pops up more and more these days when discussing liver health. NAFLD is exactly what it sounds like: excess fat building up in the liver, but not because of alcohol. Instead, it’s usually tied to things like overeating, lack of exercise, carrying extra weight, and the good ol’ American diet loaded with processed food and sugar.

Here’s the kicker—when fat builds up in the liver, it doesn’t just sit there quietly like old tools in the garage. That fat can irritate and inflame the liver over time, switching on the body’s own “check engine light.” If it keeps going unchecked, that simple fat accumulation can evolve into more serious conditions like fibrosis and, eventually, cirrhosis. In other words, left ignored, NAFLD slowly degrades liver function—much like leaving dirty oil in a car’s engine, refusing to change it, and then acting surprised when the thing finally seizes up.

What’s driving this rise? As waistlines have grown and healthy home-cooked meals have been swapped for fast food runs, the number of people affected by NAFLD has skyrocketed—right here in the United States and all around the world. It’s now on track to surpass viral hepatitis as the main reason folks may eventually need a liver transplant. That’s no small matter; it’s a canary in the coal mine for our collective health.

So if you take away one thing, remember: paying attention to what we eat, moving more, and understanding what’s happening in our bodies—especially with all the modern temptations out there—is key to keeping the liver happy and healthy for the long haul.

Natural Liver Boosters: Milk Thistle, Turmeric, and the Truth

You might be wondering about all those popular liver cleanse products on the market, especially since milk thistle and turmeric show up just about everywhere these days—from health store shelves to your favorite wellness podcasts. After spending decades elbows-deep in lab reports and testing protocols, I’ve had my fair share of questions from people hoping a magic capsule will rejuvenate their liver overnight.

Here’s the bottom line: milk thistle (that’s Silybum marianum for my fellow nerds) does show real promise—its active ingredient, silymarin, has been noted in several studies for helping lower liver inflammation. Turmeric, especially its superstar component curcumin, is another one with a good reputation for supporting liver function and standing guard against injury.

But—and it’s a big “but” worthy of a raised eyebrow from my dad—most of the buzz comes from laboratory and early animal studies, or smaller human trials. We simply don’t have large-scale, conclusive clinical evidence yet to recommend these supplements as guaranteed protective measures for everyone.

Does that mean they’re useless? Not at all. Many people, myself included, find benefit in incorporating time-tested botanicals from trusted brands like Gaia Herbs, NOW Foods, and Nature’s Way as part of a holistic plan—emphasis on plan. It’s about integrating smart, targeted nutrition, regular lab analysis (like the mineral screening I teach), and wise choices day in and day out. Supplements alone aren’t a get-out-of-jail-free card for a lifetime of bad habits or ignoring lab work.

In my experience, the road to real liver health is paved with consistency and proper monitoring, not chasing every headline about the latest “miracle cure.”



The Truth About Liver Cleanses and Healing the Liver



Now, let me set the record straight about liver cleanses. Over the years, countless folks have asked me if juicing for a week, drinking mystical teas, or signing up for a so-called "liver flush" will magically undo real liver damage. Let me save you some time (and disappointment): those cleanses might give you the illusion of a fresh start, but there’s no credible evidence they can actually reverse established liver damage. If only a shot of wheatgrass or the right combo of lemon and cayenne could fix decades of wear and tear—my job would be a lot simpler!

But that’s not to say all hope is lost. Your liver is one of the toughest organs around—it’s resilient, and with the right approach, it absolutely can recover from quite a bit of abuse. The secret isn’t in a week-long cleanse, but in adopting protocols and changes that have proven effects.

If you're dealing with hepatitis A or B, vaccination and professional guidance can help prevent complications, especially if you have other liver conditions. In chronic cases, modern medicine has developed effective oral treatments, but what truly matters is early action. For hepatitis C, thank goodness, we've seen a revolution: there are excellent oral therapies out there now that can knock out the virus with fewer side effects than ever before.

When it comes to alcoholic liver disease, I’ve seen strong recoveries—but only when all alcohol takes a back seat for good. Once you cut out the toxin, the liver starts its incredible process of self-renewal. And for those dealing with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (which, let’s be honest, is more and more common these days), weight management is the cornerstone. Losing excess weight can reduce fat in the liver and cool off the silent inflammation that’s lurking beneath.

So, while that detox smoothie might make you feel virtuous for the afternoon, genuine healing comes from long-term choices: targeted supplements, smart nutrition guided by proven tests like HTMA, ditching harmful habits, and staying active. Trust the body’s innate wisdom—and support it with methods that follow real science, not just the latest fads.

No matter what the disease, if you balance the cells using the HTMA as your guide and apply the 3 Rs for Total Gut Restoration from another lab I work with, then the immunity response of your body will heal all the weakest links in your body that once held you back. Total wellness can always be within one's reach no matter what the age. The guessing game to achieve good health is over.

Keys to Liver Wellness and Disease Prevention



Of course, no amount of fancy lab work or supplement wizardry can substitute for the basics. Over the years, I’ve seen that the best results come when you combine targeted protocols with foundational lifestyle habits—think of it as giving your liver a fighting chance every single day. Here’s what I always recommend for anyone looking to protect or restore their liver:

• Moderate Your Alcohol Intake: Keep it reasonable—no more than three drinks a day for men and two for women. Your liver isn’t a superhero; give it a break.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Aim to keep your BMI in the normal range (18 to 25). A balanced diet and regular exercise aren’t just clichés—they’re the bedrock of avoiding nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
• Steer Clear of Risky Behaviors: Skip illicit drugs and think twice before engaging in unprotected sex with multiple partners. Viral hepatitis often comes in through the back door.
• Know Your Risk Factors: If you have a family history of liver trouble, have used IV drugs, received blood transfusions before the '90s, or had tattoos done in questionable parlors, get screened. Chronic liver disease is a sneaky opponent—better to catch it before it catches you.

With these practical steps and the powerful tools of HTMA and gut restoration, you’re not just guessing anymore—you’re acting with precision. There is only one Laboratory Naturopathic Doctor, Johnny Delirious - The Master Survivor ™ his work is truly beyond Ph.D.