Detoxification

Question 1

detox deals with toxins by

Answer 1

handcuffing toxin to another molecule so it can be escorted out of the body

Question 2

conjugation

Answer 2

process of adding one molecule to another

phase 2 detoxification

Question 3

most important conjugating compound

Answer 3

glutathione

Question 4

glutathione and detox

Answer 4

help the body eliminate fat-soluble toxins like heavy metals, solvents, pesticides, transforming them into water soluble to excrete via kidneys

Question 5

what is glutathione

Answer 5

small protein composed of 3 amino acids- cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine

Question 6

livers detoxification mechanisms include:

Answer 6

filtration of the blood
formation of bile
phase 1 detoxification reaction
phase 2 detoxification reaction

Question 7

vitamin c supplementation is most cost effective method to…

Answer 7

raise glutathione levels

Question 8

what flavonoid complex is a well-researched way to improve liver function?

Answer 8

silymarin from milk thistle

Question 9

fasting & detox

Answer 9

one of the quickest ways to increase elimination of wastes and enhance the healing processes of the body

Question 10

2 phases of detoxification

Answer 10

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

Question 11

two ways body eliminates toxins

Answer 11

directly neutralizing them or by excreting them in the urine or feces (and lesser degree through hair, lungs, skin)

Question 12

what happens to toxins the body can’t eliminate?

Answer 12

they build up in the tissues, particularly fat stores

Question 13

what are the primary organs of detoxification?

Answer 13

liver, intestines, kidneys

Question 14

phase 1 detoxification

Answer 14

chemically modifying the chemicals to make them an easier target for one or more of the phase 2 enzyme systems

Question 15

detox and cancer

Answer 15

up to 90% of cancers thought to be from environmental toxins; high levels of carcinogens with sluggish detoxification enzymes significantly increase susceptibility to cancer

Question 16

livers primary detoxification functions

Answer 16

filtering the blood

Question 17

how much blood gets filtered every minute in the liver for detox

Answer 17

almost two quarts

Question 18

why is filtration of blood critical

Answer 18

because blood from intestines it is loaded with bacteria, endotoxins, antigen-antibody complexes, and other toxic substances

Question 19

when working properly, the liver clears _____% of bacteria and other toxins from blood before it can renter circulation

Answer 19

90

Question 20

livers second detoxification process

Answer 20

synthesis and secretion of bile

bile and toxic load are sent to intestines and absorbed by fiber and excreted

Question 21

what happens to bile and toxic load when low fiber diet?

Answer 21

toxins are not bound in feces very well and are reabsorbed; bacteria in intestine can modify toxins to be even more damaging

Question 22

why is 99% of what is excreted in bile often reabsorbed?

Answer 22

insufficient dietary fiber intake

Question 23

phase 1 & 2 balance

Answer 23

phase 1 activated intermediates are more toxic than before, so phase 2 needs to happen quickly

Question 24

recommended foods to ensure phase 1 is working well

Answer 24

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)

Question 25

how many phase 2 detoxification pathways are there

Answer 25

6

Question 26

6 phase 2 detox pathways

Answer 26

glutathione conjugation
amino acid conjugation
methylation
sulfation
acetylation
glucuronidation

Question 27

True or false- some toxins are neutralized through more than one pathway

Answer 27

true

Question 28

what is needed for phase 2 detox enzyme systems to work?

Answer 28

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

Question 29

what can cause phase 2 detox to slow down

Answer 29

if mitochondria aren’t functioning (aging, lack of exercise, magnesium deficiency) it allows buildup of toxic intermediates

Question 30

glutathione conjugation required nutrients

Answer 30

glutathione, B6

Question 31

foods to help phase 2

Answer 31

brassica family foods, limoene-containg foods (citrus peel, dill weed seed, caraway seeds), fish oil