The role of the liver in halitosis

I’ve posted before about low stomach acid, imbalanced gut bacteria and liver dysfunction being involved in halitosis, or chronic bad breath. This assumes oral/dental issues have been ruled out.

In terms of your liver, its role in detoxification and metabolism can be linked to halitosis.

• This is because the liver plays a crucial role in detoxifying harmful substances from the body, including toxins from the bloodstream and metabolic (cell function) waste products. If the liver is impaired or overloaded, toxins can accumulate, leading to a foul odour that can contribute to bad breath. Lungs are a key way we detoxify.

• The liver also produces bile, which helps breakdown of fats and facilitates digestion. Poor liver function can lead to digestive disturbances like bloating, gas, indigestion and dysbiosis, which can contribute to halitosis.

• The liver converts various compounds too, including sulphur-containing amino acids like cysteine and methionine. During digestion, these can produce volatile sulphur compounds (VSC), which contribute to bad breath. Impaired liver function may affect the metabolism of these compounds, leading to an increase in VSC production and halitosis.

• Additionally, liver diseases like cirrhosis, hepatitis and fatty liver disease can lead to systemic changes in the body, including metabolic and hormonal imbalances and immune system dysregulation. These systemic changes may contribute to halitosis through their effects on digestion, metabolism and general health.

Improving the health of your liver through targeted diet and supplementation can be a key way to resolve halitosis.