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Dr. Klinghardt, A
comprehensive review of heavy metal detox
Cysteine &
Heavy Metals
Dr.
Klinghardt's Neurotoxin Protocol
PDR Health Natural Medicines Indexed by Common Name
The Whole Way to Natural Detoxification: Clearing Your Body of Toxins
Taoist Cosmic Healing: Chi Kung Color Healing Principles for Detoxification
and Rejuvenation
Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised Second Edition
Your Liver Your Lifeline: Insights on Health Based on the Liver Triad of A. Stuart Wheelwright : Detoxification & Rejuvenation for the Whole Body VI
The Healthy Liver & Bowel Book
The Amazing Liver & Gallbladder Flush: A Powerful Do-It-Yourself Tool To Optimize Your Health and Wellbeing
Natural Therapy for Your Liver: Herbs and Other Natural Remedies for a Healthy Liver
Gi/Liver Secrets (The Secrets Series)
The Liver Book: A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery
Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide to Hepatitis & Liver Disease: What You Need to Know
The Liver Disorders Sourcebook
21st Century Complete Medical Guide to Liver Diseases, Cirrhosis, Liver Transplantation, Jaundice: Authoritative Government Documents, Clinical References, ... Information for Patients and Physicians
Natural Liver Therapy
The gut as a barrier to drug absorption: combined role of cytochrome P450 3A and P-glycoprotein.
Cytochrome P450 enzymes and
Drug-Drug Interaction Mechanisms
Prescription Drugs
Metabolized through Cytochrome P-450
P450 Table
Chronic liver injury during obstructive sleep apnea
Basics on Amino Acids from the University of Arizona
Amino Acid Metabolism |
Detoxifying Your Body
The Liver
The liver removes toxins from the
blood, makes and processes bile and enzymatically disassembles unwanted
chemicals.
Blood
The liver detoxifies the blood by filtering and removing large toxic
particles, including those that are coming from the intestine. Blood
coming from the intestines is often very toxic because it is full of
endotoxins (toxins released when bacteria die), antigen-antibody complexes
(large molecules that the immune system produces when it neutralizes
invaders) and other toxins. If working properly, 99.9% of toxins in
the blood will be removed.
Bile
The liver makes approximately 1 quart of bile each day and
uses it to effectively carry away many toxins. Bile is sent to the
intestines where it emulsifies (liquifies) fat and fat soluble vitamins for
better absorption. Toxins in the bile are absorbed by fiber in the
colon and excreted through bowel movements. Toxins are reabsorbed into
the body If there isn't enough fiber to remove them. Some of the
toxins removed by bile are bacteria and bacterial products and immune
complexes.
See
Colon Detoxification Information for specific removal techniques for the
colon.
Lipotropic Agents (Fat
Emulsifiers)
Once the liver has modified a toxin, it needs to be
eliminated from the body as soon as possible. When the excretion of
bile is inhibited due to improper function of the liver, toxins stay in the
liver longer. Lipotropic agents are compounds that promote the flow of
fat and bile to and from the liver. They decongest the liver and
promote improved liver function which helps the liver to perform it's job of
detoxifying the body.1
Some important Lipotropic agents
Phosphatidyl Choline also breaks
down fat. For a complete list of supplements that help
the liver do it's job of detoxification, please see:
Supplements for
Detoxification
Neutralizing toxins
The liver uses a 2 step enzymatic process to neutralize unwanted chemical
compounds. These chemicals include but are not limited to drugs,
pesticides, toxins from the gut and normal body chemicals that if left to
build up, will cause illness. Histamine is a good example of a normal
body chemical that would be harmful if left to build up because it will
cause inflammation.
Phase I
Phase I detoxification involves from 50 to 100 enzymes that are collectively
known as the cytochrome P450 system. The effectiveness of this system
varies greatly depending on our genetics, nutritional status and exposure to
chemicals.
Phase I either changes a toxin to a less toxic form, makes it water soluble
for excretion through the kidneys or changes it to a more reactive form
where it is handled by phase II detoxification. If a toxin is changed
to a more reactive form and our phase II detoxification system is not
working properly, the chemical can be reabsorbed and make us very sick.
A side effect of Phase I detoxification is the creation of free radicals.
If our free radical defense system is not working properly, our liver will
be damaged every time a toxin is processed. This is why antioxidants
that are capable of stopping free radical damage such as Vitamin E, Vitamin
A, Vitamin C and others are so important.
Research shows that the cytochrome P450 system is found in other parts of
the body, especially the brain cells. A lack of antioxidants and
nutrients in the brain cause an increased rate of damage such as is seen in
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Phase I detoxification may not be working properly if you have an
intolerance to caffeine such that even small amounts keep you up at night.
Nutrients needed by Phase I Detoxification
Phase II
Phase II works on some toxins
directly while others must be processed by phase I first. Phase II
detoxification is accomplished by conjugation. This is the process in
which a protective compound is bound to a toxin. Conjugation either
neutralizes a toxin or makes it easier to excrete through the urine or bile.
There are 6 phase II conjugation pathways. They are listed below along
with the nutrients needed for them to work.
Phase II Detoxification
-
Glutathione Conjugation
Nutrients needed:
Glutathione
Vitamin B6
Can be inhibited by deficiencies of:
Zinc
Selenium
Vitamin B2
Glutathione
Many toxic chemicals such as heavy metals, solvents and pesticides
are fat soluble which makes them harder for the body to get rid of.
Glutathione binds to a fat-soluble toxin and converts it to a water
soluble form so that it can be excreted through the kidneys.
Glutathione is also an anti-oxidant so it protects our body from free
radicals.
-
Amino Acid Conjugation
Nutrients needed:
Glycine
Can be inhibited by a low protein diet.
-
Methylation
Nutrients needed:
S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM or SAM-e)
Can be inhibited by deficiencies of:
Vitamin B12
Folic Acid
-
Sulfation
Nutrients needed:Cysteine
Methionine
Taurine
Sulfation can be inhibited by a deficiency of
Molybdenum
Symptoms of a possible problem:
Sensitivity to sulfur containing drugs and foods.
-
Acetylation
Nutrients needed:none found
Acetylation can be inhibited by a deficiencies of:
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B5
Vitamin C
-
Glucuronidation
Nutrients needed:Glucuronic Acid
If the mitochondria (energy producing
cells in the liver) aren't working properly (which can be caused by
magnesium deficiency or lack of exercise), phase II detoxification slows
down allowing a buildup of toxins.
For more information about
detoxification, please follow the links in the side panel under "Detoxifying
your body" or click on one of the links below:
Before taking any supplements, consult with
your health care provider. The information presented here is not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. We do not accept any
responsibility for the use or misuse of any of the information contained
herein.
References
1.Michael Murray, N.D., and Joseph Pizzorno,
N.D. "Encylcopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised 2nd Edition", ppgs 104-125.
2. Trappoliere M, Federico A, Tuccillo C, de Sio I, Di Leva A, Niosi
M, D'Auria M, Loguercio C., "Effects of a new pharmacological complex (sylibin+vitamin
E+phospholipids) on some markers of metabolic syndrome and of a liver
fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a preliminary
open pilot study.", Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol. 2005 Jun;51(2):193-9.
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