We live in a modern world and this modern world if full of many harmful toxins. We were not designed to deal with the constant onslaught and now with technology being added to the mix it's more important than other we support our livers. The liver is a vital organ in the human body that performs many functions, including:
Digestion: The liver breaks down proteins and other nutrients from food
Detoxification: The liver removes toxins from the blood, such as alcohol and pollution.
Storage: The liver stores nutrients and vitamins, and converts excess glucose into glycogen for energy
Blood filtration: The liver filters blood from the intestines
Bile production: The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder
Protein production: The liver produces proteins for blood plasma
Your liver is responsible for safely removing anything you might encounter.Your liver breaks down harmful toxins so they don't cause harm and it does this in 3 stages.
Phase 1
The first stage of the detox process is through the cytochrome P450 enzyme system. These enzymes breakdown harmful toxins into forms that then are easier to be removed from the body.
Phase 1 can happen quite quickly but when we get to Phase 2 /3 of the detox process people can experience issues and then these toxins can end up in the body and cause serious harm.
It's important we understand all 3 phases and how we can support these processes through diet/lifestyle. If we have too much inflammation in the body it might be that we slow down phase 1 so that we aren't overburdening the liver.
And not hindering the elimination process, sometimes after phase 1 process toxins can become more harmful than original substance. Sometimes Phase 1 is efficent but Phase 2 is slow which is why we need to understand each stage and eat the right foods and supplement if necessary.
We can slow down phase 1 with grapefruit juice and curcumin.
Phase 2
In Phase 2 the toxins are conjugated and then the toxins enter the bile for elimination if this process is halted because of issues with the gallbladder the toxins can be re absorbed into the body.
As you can see it's important that all detox pathways are optimised so we aren't causing any further harm to the body. We need to optimize the liver at this stage and also make sure our gallbladder is supported so then we are eliminating via our faeces.
In Phase 1 the Liver uses oxygen to form a reactive site on a toxin. Phase 2 the liver adds a water soluble group to the site of the toxin. This process is known as reduction, oxidation and conjugation it's this process which enables a toxin or substance to be ready for removal out of the liver.
The final stage is phase 3 where the liver eliminates the toxins through the bile and out of the gallbladder. Eating alkaline foods help to support Phase 3 as well as key nutrients such as B1, B2, B3, B6 and Choline. Vitamin C , Vitamin E and magnesium & Selenium that support Phase 1.
Foods that support Phase include Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts , high protein diets, oranges and tangerines.
In Phase 2 the liver conjugated the toxins and has 6 stages
Glutathione Conjugation
Sulfation
Amino Acid Conjugation
Glucuronidation
Acetylation
Methylation
Glutathione conjugation
Glutathione is the body's most important antioxidant to protect the body against free radicals produced through Phase 1 detox & oxidative stress.
Our bodies naturally produce Glutathione it's compromised of 3 amino acids Glutamine, glycine and cysteine. Our levels in our bodies may be reduced because we aren't getting adequate nutrition, we have a toxic overload and high levels of stress or we may have a chronic health condition. We can supplement with liposomal Glutathione or intravenous Glutathione. I personally consume a mix of the 3 amino acids 2/3 x a day as this is more of an affordable option. It would also benefit you to take higher dose of vitamin C as this also helps with free radicals and it means you can keep your Glutathione for when you really need it.
Glucuronidation
Glucuronidationis one of the most important detox pathways in phase 2 and is responsible for metabolizing drugs, estrogens and also conjugates bilirubin.
Calcium D Glucarate supports the glucuronidation pathways and metabolism of estrogen. When this pathway is slow this can increase risk or hormone related cancers cam increase.Women who are estrogen dominant and have sluggish glucuronidation pathway will benefit from this supplement.
Acetylation
This pathway works on amines and endogenous substances such as histamine , caffeine , choline and tyramine. Vitamin B5 ( Panthonenic Acid) is essential nutrient for Acetylation detox pathway. Slow acetylators increase risk of bladder cancer.
Amino Acid conjugation uses amino acids to combine with toxins to neutralise them. Glycine and Taurine are Amino acids used for this pathway along with Glutamine arginine and orthinine.
Glycine rich foods include chicken breasts, skinless turkey, pork chops, salmon, gelatin, bone broth, cheese, herring, spinach, kale.
Taurine rich foods meat, seafood and dairy.
Sulfation
This pathway is needed to detox food additives, intestinal bacteria and environment. Sulfation is the main pathway for elimination of steroid/thyroid hormones neurotransmitters and estrogens are also eliminated through the sulfation detox pathway. A diet rich in sulfar foods such as radishes, onion, celery, kale, watercress, broccoli, cauliflower, eggs, fish and meat.
The methylation process is responsible for methylating histamine. Slow methylation can cause histamine intolerance we also need methylation to process neuro transmitters such as dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine. SAme is the primary methyl donor in the body. Nutrients such as Methionine, B2, folate, B12 and B6 and Magnesium are required for optimal methylation. Food sources of B2 and B12 are highest in Animal protein. Folate and Magnesium are abundant in Leafy green vegetables.
If you want to support your liver detox pathways it's crucial you eat as many whole foods as possible.
Phase 3 Elimination
This phase involves eliminates of toxins via the gallbladder into stools or you eliminate via skin through sweat and via kidneys you will urinate. If we are eliminating via stools it’s really important that you are having regular bowel movements and that you aren't clogged up.
Eating a nutrient dense whole foods diet which contains enough fibre will support this process.
Phosphatidylcholine is a critical nutrient to prevent bile getting thick and sludgy we need good bile flow for eliminating toxins out of gallbladder.
Being in calm relaxed state ( rest and digest) will aid in this process. When our bodies are in fight and flight we can't digest, assimilate our foods properly and lack of nutrients as you can see has an huge impact on how our liver functions. Foods that cleanse the liver should be eaten daily and we need to be doing as much as possible to minimise our toxic load from what we put into our bodies and onto our bodies we need more awareness of the harm they are causing.
As well as putting the right nutrients in we need adequate hydration and sleep and the right amount of movement this will aid in elimination also as movement supports digestive health.
May this information empower you to make better informed decisions on your health. It is your true wealth.
