A note on the detoxification process

• The liver, your great detoxifier, makes toxins less toxic.
• By supporting liver function we can enhance detoxification, the removal of toxins that would otherwise hang around and stagnate in our bodies.
• The liver transforms chemical substances, drugs, hormones, and other toxins into non-toxic compounds.
• Detoxification takes place through phase I oxidation and phase II conjugation.

  

Phase I

• An electron is added to a molecule, oxidizing it. This is accomplished by enzymes in the liver,  which are called the cytochrome P 450 system. These enzymes prepare the molecule for phase II of the detoxification process.
• After oxidation, the electrons are moved to one of six different detoxification pathways, where additional molecules are added to make the substance more water soluble and thus easier for the kidneys to eliminate.

Phase II

• Glutathione (GSH) is a protein with three amino acids – glycine, glutamic acid and cysteine. It is manufactured by the liver to detoxify foreign chemicals and to extract the drugs we take from our bodies. Glutathione grabs fat-soluble toxins stored in our tissues and makes them water soluble so they can be excreted.
• With glutathione deficiency, we are unable to deal with the sudden release of cytokines created by drug side effects, herxes, allergies, or anything slightly bad for us.

Too much of a good thing

• Learn why you should not overdo glutathione here.