Liver Detox Pathways english

Contents How Liver Detox Works? …………………………………………………………….1 Phase 1 Detoxification …………………………………………………………………4 Phase 2 Detoxification ………………………………………………………………..7 Examples of Liver Detox (On Drugs / Xenobiotic) …………………….10 Detox Nutrients of Bio Rex ……………………………………………………10 Role of Dietary Fiber …………………………………………………………..12

HOW LIVER DETOX WORKS? The liver plays a key role in most metabolic processes, especially detoxification. The liver neutralizes a wide range of toxic chemicals, both those produced internally and those coming from the environment. Page 1

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Liver detoxification process usually occurs in two steps referred to as Phase 1 and Phase II. Phase I either directly neutralizes a toxin, or modifies the toxic chemical to form activated intermediates which are then neutralized by one of more of the several phase II enzyme systems. In simplest analogy, you can think of Phase 1 as breaking toxins down and sending semi-processed toxins to Phase II. Phase 2 then deactivates the toxins by adding substances (conjugation) to it. The level of exposure to environmental carcinogens varies widely, as does the efficiency of the detoxification enzymes, particularly phase II. High levels of exposure to carcinogens coupled with slow detoxification enzymes significantly increases susceptibility to cancer. Page 3

PHASE 1 DETOXIFICATION Phase 1 enzymes directly neutralize some chemicals, but most are broken down into intermediate forms that are then processed by phase II enzymes. These intermediate forms are more chemically active and therefore more toxic. If the phase II detoxification systems are not working adequately, these intermediates can cause substantial damage, including the initiation of carcinogenic processes. People with a very active phase 1 detoxification system coupled with slow or inactive phase II enzymes are termed Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) or Pathological Detoxifiers. These people can be identified as those who are highly sensitive to fumes – paints and perfumes, reach adversely to various pharmaceutical drugs, and strong reaction after drinking caffeine. Phase 1 detoxification of most chemical toxins involves a group of enzymes which, collectively, have been named Cytochrome P450. Some 50-100 enzymes make up the cytochrome P450 system (Liska, 1998). Each enzyme works best in detoxifying certain types of chemicals, but with considerable overlap in activity among the enzymes. Page 4

The activity of the various cytochrome P450 enzymes varies significantly from one individual to another,based on genetics, the individual's level of exposure to chemical toxins, and his or her nutritional status. Since the activity of cytochrome P450 varies so much, so does an individual's risk for various diseases. Studies have shown that Phase 1 Detox capacity is based heavily on genetic factors (Meyer, 1990). Some individuals can perform Phase 1 detox more than 5 times the capacity of similar individuals (age, sex, gender, environmental condition etc). This helps to explain why some people can smoke with only modest damage to their lungs, while others develop lung cancer after only a few decades of smoking. However, despite genetics, you can help strengthen your Phase 1 Detox via Epigenetic Factors, like diet, exercise and nutrition (Guengerich, 1995). People with underactive phase 1 detoxification will experience caffeine intolerance, intolerance to perfumes and other environmental chemicals, and hence an increased risk for liver disease, while those with an overactive system will be relatively unaffected by caffeine drinks. One simple way of objectively determining the activity of phase 1 is to measure how efficiently a person detoxifies caffeine. Caffeine is an example of a chemical directly neutralized by Page 5

phase 1. Making a toxin water-soluble allows its excretion by the kidneys. A number of factors can hinder Phase 1 Detox: 1. Medicines & Drugs: Anti-histamins (medicines that block stomach acid production), certain Anti-anxiety medication, Narcotics, Nicotine, Alcohol, Steroids. 2. Ageing: Getting older unfortunately slows down Liver’s Phase 1 Detox capabilities. 3. Unhealthy Diet: Eating too many processed foods packed with artificial additives and preservatives can put extra stress to your liver and hence affect its Phase 1 Detoxification. Page 6

PHASE 2 DETOXIFICATION: Phase 2 detox is often a continuation of Phase 1, but it can happen on its own as well. In Phase 2 Detox, there are 6 main pathways in which your liver detoxifies, as listed below. We also provide some examples of toxins that each pathways detoxifies. 1. Glucoronidation– through Glucuronic Acid - detox Paracetamol, Medicine, Benzoic Acid, Chemical Preservatives & Parabens 2. Glycine & Glutamine Conjugation– through Amino Acids Glycine & Glutamine - detox Aspirin & Sodium Benzoate 3. Glutathione Conjugation– through Glutathione (Glutamic Acid, Cysteine &Glycine) - detox Caffeine, Paracetamol, Heavy metals (Mercury, Cadmium, Lead), Free Radicals & Pesticides. 4. Sulphation– through Sulphur-containing Amino Acids (Methionine & Cysteine) - detox Mercury, Paracetamol, Aspartame, Bacterial Endotoxins, Food Additives 5. Methylation – through Methyl groups - detox excess Estrogens hormone. 6. Acetylation– through Acetyl Co-A - detox sulfa drugs, certain medications, tobacco smoke & exhaust fumes. Page 7

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EXAMPLES OF LIVER DETOX (ON DRUGS / XENOBIOTIC) DETOX NUTRIENTS OF BIO REX Well documented analyses show the 3 MAIN WILD fruits of PAPAYA, NONI and MANGOESTEEN contain abundance of nutrients involved in Phase 1 and Phase 2 Detoxification. Upon carefully-controlled fermentation, it further unleashes the phytonutrients in bio-available form, readily absorbed and utilized by our cells. Over 200 Bioactive Compounds and Phytonutrients are being extracted and pre-digested during the fermentation process. Page 10

Some of the major detox phytonutrients are listed below: ✓ Vitamin A, B-complex, C & E ✓ Antioxidant Enzymes (Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase, Catalase). ✓ Glycosilated Polyphenols ✓ Detox polysaccharides (Glucoronic acid, gylcosides, galactose, arabinose, and rhamnose) ✓ Alkaloids (Xeronine) ✓ Bioflavonoids (Rutin, Scopoletin and Quercetin) ✓ Coenzyme Q10 ✓ Anthraquinone (Damnacanthal) ✓ Phenylpropanoids, iridoids & lignans ✓ 17 types of Amino Acids (including all 9 essential amino acids) ✓ Phospholipids & Sterols ✓ Minerals (magnesium; iron; potassium; manganese; selenium; zinc; copper; sulfur) Page 11

ROLE OF DIETARY FIBER: Dietary fiber helps your intestines clear out the toxins and waste materials that your liver has processed. Without ample amount of fiber, some of those toxins can be reabsorbed into your bloodstream. Once toxins are dumped from the liver into the bile and then into the intestines for elimination, fiber binds to them and surrounds them in a gel-like fashion, escorting them out of your body. REFERENCES: Guengerich FP. “Influence of nutrients and other dietary materials on cytochrome P450 enzymes”. Am J Clin Nutr 1995;61 (3 Suppl): 651S-658S. Hutt AJ, Caldwell J. Amino acid conjugation. In: Mulder GJ, ed. “Conjugation Reactions In Drug Metabolism”. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis; 1990:273-305. Liska D, “The Detoxification Enzymes System”, Alternative Medicine Review, Volume 3, Number 3, 1998. Meyer UA, Zanger UM, Skoda RC, et al. “Genetic polymorphisms of drug metabolism.” Prog Liver Dis 1990;9:307- 323. Page 12