Liver Detox
Through Our Natural System

From the liver's function, we are able to appreciate the way our liver detox system works itself to break down toxic substances like drugs, artificial chemicals, pesticides and etc. It does so through the metabolism using enzymes within the liver cells. Basically it converts these toxins from its fat-soluble state (which means that the body would find it difficult to excrete out) into water soluble chemicals.

So why must it be converted in water soluble? This is an important process. If toxins remains as fat soluble then they would store inside the fat tissues and fat cells. This would mean that they are going to stay within our body for a long time. The only ways that we excrete such fat-soluble toxins are either through exercise or fasting.

Therefore, our body settles this problem through the conversion of fat soluble toxins into water soluble chemicals. Then they are cleared out via our body fluids like urine or bile. This shows our body natural mechanism for protecting itself from toxin poisoning starts out from the liver.

We have to recognize that the liver detox system uses 2 important pathways. The phase 1 pathway involves the Cytochrome P-450 enzymes where they are found within the membrane system of the liver cells known as Heptocytes.

During the phase 1 pathway, toxin chemicals and metals (from food, water, and air) are converted into less harmful chemicals through many chemicals reactions through the induction of P-450 enzyme.

The phase 2 detoxification pathway is known as the conjugation pathway. This involves converting the fat-soluble toxic chemical and transforming the toxins into water-soluble chemicals. Then they are passed out through body fluids as such as the bile or urine.

For this 2nd pathway to function efficiently, there are some important substances needed to activate the catalyst for toxin conversion:

1. Glycine
2. Glutamine
3. Taurine
4. Cysteine
5. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, etc
6. Sulphur-containing phytonutrients available from garlic, shallots, onions, etc

Glutathione is an important antioxidant to facilitate our liver detox. It is also a definite protector for our liver by combating against free radicals. When high amount of toxins passes through our liver, our glutathione levels are greatly depleted and so it is important to replenish our glutathione levels constantly and consistently.

When glutathione is depleted, it has been found to correlate with lower immune function and increased vulnerability to infection due to our liver’s reduced ability to detoxify.

We have to take note that there are many free radicals been produced in these two pathways and they can cause damages to our liver cells. To prevent these damages, the liver utilizes antioxidants like Vitamin C, E, vitamin B-complexes, beta carotene, and folic acid to negate the excess production of free radicals.

If there is a lack of such antioxidants with an inefficient phase 2 detoxification and introduction of high levels of toxins (like Caffeine, Alcohol, Dioxin, saturated fats, Organophosphorus pesticides, paint fumes, Sulfonamides, exhaust fumes, Barbiturates), they can interfere our P-450 enzyme system and initiate overwhelming production of free radicals.

This whole process can result in a lot damages on our liver cells. It can sometimes even convert less harmful substances into carcinogenic chemicals.

Therefore, we have to take note of toxic overloading in our liver. These can lead to excessive fat soluble toxins being trapped within our fatty cells. The large part of our fatty cells is found in our brain and endocrine glands. These can lead to future problems like infertility, menstrual problems, and brain dysfunction.

Other Liver Detox Information:

1. Liver Function

• Liver Detox System
• Liver Cleanse Support

2. The Colon

• Colon Detox System

• Colon Cleansing Foods

3. Kidney Detoxification System

4. Lung Detoxification System

5. Gallbladder Detox System

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