W9 - Detox Pathways in Liver

Question 1

List some functions of the liver

Answer 1

Detoxification

Protein synthesis

Prod biochemicals needed for digestion + growth

Reg. glycogen storage, decomposition of RBCs + prod of hormones

Question 2

Where is the liver found?

Answer 2

Right upper quadrant of abdomen

Below diaphragm

Question 3

Where is the gallbladder?

Answer 3

Under liver

Question 4

What does the gall bladder do?

Answer 4

Stores bile produced by liver b4 passing it onto small intestine to be used in digestion.

Question 5

How does the liver protect the body from lipophiles?

Answer 5

Converts them into more H20 soluble metabolites that can be removed via urine.

Question 6

What are the 2 pathways in liver detoxification?

Answer 6

Phase I

Phase II

Question 7

What is Phase I known as?

Answer 7

1st line of defence vs toxins

Question 8

What enzyme family does Phase I have?

Answer 8

Cytochrome P450 enzyme family

Question 9

What does the Cytochrome P450 enzyme family help do?

Answer 9

Neutralise substances like alcohol + caffeine.

Question 10

Can the byproducts of phase I liver detoxification pose a toxic threat to the body still?

Answer 10

Yes

Question 11

What can happen if toxins are allowed to build up + stay in the liver?

Answer 11

Can damage DNA + proteins.

Question 12

What is the purpose of Phase II?

Answer 12

Neutralises byproducts of phase I + other remaining toxins.

Question 13

What is the term under phase II?

Answer 13

Conjugation – Making toxins H20 soluble ready to be excreted from the body

Question 14

What are the primary molecules responsible for conjugation in Phase II?

Answer 14

Glutathione (a.k.a master antioxidant)

Sulphate

Glycine

Question 15

Which is the most abundant antioxidant?

Answer 15

Glutathione

Question 16

What can Glutathione do?

Answer 16

Regenerate itself in the liver

Question 17

In what foods can Glutathione be found?

Answer 17

Asparagus

Avo

Spinach

Broccoli

Question 18

List some of the key building blocks the body needs to manufacture Glutathione

Answer 18

Selenium

Vitamin E

Question 19

What is vitamin C role in liver detoxification?

Answer 19

Helps protect liver detoxification enzymes from oxidative damage

Question 20

What does it mean that the majority of toxic substances are fat-soluble?

Answer 20

Means they can sequester in tissues + accumulate in the body?

Question 21

Body converts fat-soluble toxins into H20-soluble mol to be excreted through what routes?

Answer 21

Renal or biliary

Question 22

What are the major detox organs?

Answer 22

Kidney + liver

Question 23

What are the phases also known as?

Answer 23

P1 = Oxidation phase

P2 = Conjugation phase

Question 24

List some examples of detox programmes

Answer 24

Fasting

Eating only certain foods

Sauna

Red. env exposures

Question 25

List some examples of detox Diets

Answer 25

Certain foods

Total fast for a master cleanse

Raw, organic foods rich in fibre + H20

Question 26

How do anti-oxidants work?

Answer 26

Anti-oxidant supplies free radical w/ an e- to repair + stabilise the chemical bond.

Question 27

Define bioavailability

Answer 27

Fraction of an ingested nutrient that becomes available for use + storage in the body.

Question 28

Which is better?

Healthy fibre + anti-oxidant diet

OR

Detox diet

Answer 28

Healthy fibre + anti-oxidant diet