The liver is responsible for storing vitamin B12 and folate (vitamin B9). Vitamin B12 helps promote healthy liver function by helping to increase levels of syntaxin 17 (STX17), an autophagosomal SNARE protein that supports the liver’s ability to digest fat and regulate healthy inflammatory pathways.
“The liver has a three-phase approach to its functionality, focusing on detox and organ support,” Dinetz explains. “In phase 1, fat-soluble substances and toxins circulate to kick-start metabolization. B vitamins enhance the function of liver enzymes called P450 enzymes, while glutathione and amino acids help upregulate them.”*
B vitamins also help out in phase 2, according to Dinetz: “During this phase, the slightly more water-soluble substances from phase 1 are conjugated and broken down through methylation using methylfolate, a form of vitamin B9. Amino acid conjugation involving taurine, glutamine, and NAC, helps bind toxins. Excretory products then become more water-soluble for excretion in urine and feces.”*
So, are B vitamins good for the liver? All in all, research shows that B12 can support a healthy liver—it regulates fat-soluble vitamins and helps filter out toxins that don’t belong in the body. Folate is also critical for healthy methylation, which subsequently supports healthy liver function and overall detoxification.
