Detoxification Flashcards
detox deals with toxins by
handcuffing toxin to another molecule so it can be escorted out of the body
conjugation
process of adding one molecule to another
phase 2 detoxification
most important conjugating compound
glutathione
glutathione and detox
help the body eliminate fat-soluble toxins like heavy metals, solvents, pesticides, transforming them into water soluble to excrete via kidneys
what is glutathione
small protein composed of 3 amino acids- cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine
livers detoxification mechanisms include:
filtration of the blood
formation of bile
phase 1 detoxification reaction
phase 2 detoxification reaction
vitamin c supplementation is most cost effective method to…
raise glutathione levels
what flavonoid complex is a well-researched way to improve liver function?
silymarin from milk thistle
fasting & detox
one of the quickest ways to increase elimination of wastes and enhance the healing processes of the body
2 phases of detoxification
two-step enzymatic process for neutralization of unwanted chemical compounds
includes drugs, pesticides, toxins, and normal body chemicals like hormones and inflammatory chemicals that can be toxic if build up
two ways body eliminates toxins
directly neutralizing them or by excreting them in the urine or feces (and lesser degree through hair, lungs, skin)
what happens to toxins the body can’t eliminate?
they build up in the tissues, particularly fat stores
what are the primary organs of detoxification?
liver, intestines, kidneys
phase 1 detoxification
chemically modifying the chemicals to make them an easier target for one or more of the phase 2 enzyme systems
detox and cancer
up to 90% of cancers thought to be from environmental toxins; high levels of carcinogens with sluggish detoxification enzymes significantly increase susceptibility to cancer
livers primary detoxification functions
filtering the blood
how much blood gets filtered every minute in the liver for detox
almost two quarts
why is filtration of blood critical
because blood from intestines it is loaded with bacteria, endotoxins, antigen-antibody complexes, and other toxic substances
when working properly, the liver clears _____% of bacteria and other toxins from blood before it can renter circulation
90
livers second detoxification process
synthesis and secretion of bile
bile and toxic load are sent to intestines and absorbed by fiber and excreted
what happens to bile and toxic load when low fiber diet?
toxins are not bound in feces very well and are reabsorbed; bacteria in intestine can modify toxins to be even more damaging
why is 99% of what is excreted in bile often reabsorbed?
insufficient dietary fiber intake
phase 1 & 2 balance
phase 1 activated intermediates are more toxic than before, so phase 2 needs to happen quickly
recommended foods to ensure phase 1 is working well
cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, foods rich in B vitamins (nutritional yeast, whole grains), foods high in vitamin C (peppers, cabbage, tomatoes), citrus fruits (not grapefruits)
how many phase 2 detoxification pathways are there
6
6 phase 2 detox pathways
glutathione conjugation amino acid conjugation methylation sulfation acetylation glucuronidation
True or false- some toxins are neutralized through more than one pathway
true
what is needed for phase 2 detox enzyme systems to work?
nutrients for activation and to provide the small molecules they add to the toxins to bind them
metabolic energy to function and to synthesize some of the small conjugating molecules
what can cause phase 2 detox to slow down
if mitochondria aren’t functioning (aging, lack of exercise, magnesium deficiency) it allows buildup of toxic intermediates
glutathione conjugation required nutrients
glutathione, B6
foods to help phase 2
brassica family foods, limoene-containg foods (citrus peel, dill weed seed, caraway seeds), fish oil
