Nutrients For Phase 1 Detoxification

Question 1

Beta Carotene (Vitamin A)

Answer 1

Source: yellow red green veg

Action: Converted in body to vitamin A, which helps to protect lipid portion of cell membrane. Promotes healthy intestinal mucosa necessary for absorption of other nutrients. Vitamin A is also necessary for conversion of alcohols to aldehydes. Deficiency decreases cytochrome p450 activity

Question 2

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Answer 2

Sources: dairy, meats, legumes, whole grains, nuts

Actions: Thiamine pyrophosphate (the form of thiamine most easily utilized by the body) is necessary for moving an aldehyde group from one molecule to another. Also needed by the enzyme necessary for glutathione formation.

Question 3

Vitamin C

Answer 3

Sources: Fruit, Green vegetables, Tomatoes

Actions: Needed for cytochrome P-450 function and electron transport. Also increases antioxidant protection

Question 4

Vitamin E

Answer 4

Souces: vegetable oils, green leafy vegetables, milk, egg, nuts, whole grains

Actions: Prevents formation of free radical form of vitamins A and K and fat-soluble hormones. Helps prevent an overactive cytochrome P-450 system, which can be a source of free radicals.

Question 5

Copper

Answer 5

Sources: meat, seafoods, nuts

Actions: Activates several enzymes. In superoxide dismutase (SOD) and other enzymes. SOD is the major anti pollutant and detoxification enzyme.

Question 6

Iron

Answer 6

Sources: beans, meats, dark green vegetables

Actions: Contained in cytochrome P450

Question 7

Magnesium

Answer 7

Sources: nuts, legumes, dark green vegetables, beans

Actions: Needed for glutathione synthesis, ammonia detoxification, and production of the main source of energy for the body.

Question 8

Manganese

Answer 8

Sources: leafy vegetables, whole grains, nuts, bananas, beans.

Actions: In enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione synthetase, and other enzymes. SOD is a major detoxification enzyme and glutathione synthetase is necessary for glutathione synthesis.

Question 9

Molybdenum

Answer 9

Sources: whole grains, legumes, seeds

Actions: In aldehyde oxidase, an enzyme that helps change aldehydes to acids, which are excreted in the urine.

Question 10

Sulphur

Answer 10

Sources: garlic, eggs, onions, meats, beans

Actions: All glutathione’ enzymes contain sulfur. Glutathione is a free radical quencher and necessary compound for redox reactions.

Question 11

Zinc

Answer 11

Sources: shellfish, meats, dairy, pumpkin seeds, beans, spinach

Actions: In alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme that breaks down alcohols.

Question 12

Alpha-ketoglutaric acid

Answer 12

Sources: Supplementation required

Actions: Helps detoxify ammonia. Addition of an ammonia group to this acid forms glutamic acid, which is transformed to glutamine, providing the major pathway for removing ammonia from the body.

Question 13

Choline

Answer 13

Sources: whole grains, cheese, legumes, meats

Actions: Cytochrome P-450 enzymes are dependent on choline. Also combines with an acetyl group to help increase intestinal peristalsis (contraction during digestion) which aids in elimination of toxins.

Question 14

Fatty acids

Answer 14

Sources: flaxseed, soybeans, fish oils

Actions: Speeds up transit time of the stool, averting build up of toxins and reducing toxic load for the liver.

Question 15

Lecithin

Answer 15

Sources: legumes, grains, eggs, fish

Actions: Allows for safe transport of fats through the bloodstream.

Question 16

Methionine (Amino Acid)

Answer 16

Sources: meat, eggs, whole grains

Actions: Adds a methyl group to xenobiotics that aids in their excretion from the body; precursor for cysteine and other sulfur amino acids.

Question 17

Oils

Answer 17

Sources: Coconut oil, flaxseed, evening primrose, black currant seed

Actions: The body exchanges these oils for contaminated; fat, which is eliminated through bile excretion and feces.

Question 18

Sylimarin

Answer 18

Source: Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum)

Actions: Helps detoxify the liver of alcohol and various pollutants. Has both protective and restorative effect on the liver. Prevents depletion of glutathione. Flavonoids in silymarin protect against oxidant stress.