LIVER DETOXIFICATION: PHASES I AND II

[Guest guest]

[For liver detoxification, I prefer the Standard Process product. When this

is not available, the protocol below may be substituted.]

LIVER DETOXIFICATION: PHASES I AND II

Nutrients that support Phase I liver detoxification:

-- NAC - N-acetylcysteine restores glutathione levels

-- Vit C helps prevent glutathione from being destroyed and is an excellent

free radical scavenger

-- Milk Thistle

-- fish oil - - other sources of EFAs: flaxseed, sunflower seeds, walnuts

and sesame seeds; wheat germ; and supplements of black currant seed, borage

(with 2400 mg of GLA), or evening primrose oil

Nutrients that support Phase II liver detoxification:

-- Broccoli sprout extract is an excellent facilitator for both phase 1 and

2 detoxification pathways. Use only in phase 2.

-- Cysteine (precursor to glutathione) These should be taken during the

detox as well as supplemented in your daily diet after detox for added

protection and liver assist.

Nutrients that support general good liver function

-- Methionine (most abundant lipotropic agent in humans)-- When estrogen

levels are high the body requires more Methionine to break it down.

Estrogen accumulation causes a reduction of bile flowing through the liver

and increases bile cholesterol levels. Methionine also regulates the amount

of sulphur-containing compounds, such as glutathione in the liver.

Glutathione plays a critical role in detoxing the liver and is one of the

major detoxification pathways as it is responsible for detoxing approx. 60%

of toxic assaults on the body.

-- Choline (from phosphatidyl choline complex)

-- Alpha Lipoic Acid

-- NAC (N-acetylcysteine ) [see below]

-- Vit C

-- Vit B1

-- Phosphatidyl choline complex and Cysteine (a glutathione precursor) have

tremendous effectiveness in detoxing and healing the liver.

-- Cysteine and cystine are closely related. One cystine molecule is

composed of two bonded cysteine molecules and each can convert to the other

as required. Both amino acids contain sulfur (via free sulfhydryl groups)

which makes them powerful antioxidants.

The acetylated form of cysteine is N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and contains a

bonded acetyl group. In this form, NAC is more easily absorbed, more stable,

and safer to use than cysteine on its own, which can be neurotoxic in very

high doses.

NAC is effective at promoting glutathione synthesis. This amino acid " combo "

incorporates cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine and has powerful

antioxidant and immune stimulating properties. Some studies have shown that

supplementing with NAC yields higher glutathione levels than supplementing

with cysteine or glutathione directly.

Other Applications for Nutrients Listed

Cysteine and cystine can be used to help prevent or treat alcoholism, heart

disease, liver disease (cirrhosis, hepatitis, etc.), 's disease

(copper toxicity), and bronchopulmonary diseases such as asthma, chronic

bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, and sinusitis. Cysteine also aids

collagen production and facilitates proper skin elasticity and texture.

Cysteine, cystine, and NAC possess powerful antioxidant properties and work

best when taken in combination with selenium and vitamin E. They promote

liver detoxification by binding toxins and heavy metals such as mercury and

lead and facilitating their removal from the body. These amino acids also

reduce free radical damage and, in combination with their " liver repair "

services, are ideal in treating substance abuse.

NAC can help prevent side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiation

therapy. It may also prevent cancer by reducing the number of chemical

adducts that cancer-causing compounds use to attach to DNA and cause damage.

As mentioned above, the antioxidant properties of these amino acids helps

reduce free radical damage, often associated with DNA mutation and cancer

development.

NAC's mucolytic (mucus thinning) properties help remedy chronic bronchitis

and other respiratory disorders. Its " sulfur stores " break down the

disulfide bonds that make mucus thick.

NAC supplementation increases glutathione levels, particularly in the lungs,

kidneys, liver, and bone marrow, resulting in an anti-aging effect. AIDS

patients can also benefit from NAC supplementation via increased

immune-building glutathione levels. When dealing with the common cold, some

studies show success with NAC supplementation-symptoms were reduced and the

duration of infection decreased.

Food Sources

Good natural sources of cysteine/cystine include broccoli, Brussels sprouts,

egg yolks, garlic, oats, onions, poultry, red peppers, wheat germ, and

yogurt. Do not count on getting enough cysteine or cystine for healing from

food but you can eat high amounts of these foods and reduce your need for

supplementation.

Optimal Absorption

-- Cysteine is more soluble than cystine, with L-cysteine being the most

absorbable form. If supplementing, take 500mg three times daily. This dosage

can go as high as 1,000mg three times daily for one month at a time. NOTE:

High levels of L-cysteine supplementation should be for acute situations

only and you must be under the supervision of a naturopath or other health

practitioner.

-- The best glutathione product I know is Goatein. It can be found at

www.primaldefense.net

-- NAC supplementation is considered extremely safe. Dosage can range from

500 to 1,200mg daily, with 600mg being a typical dosage.

-- Vitamin E and selenium work well with cysteine's antioxidant actions.

Vitamin B6 is necessary for cysteine synthesis. Ensure your intake is

adequate and supplement as required.

Additional Information and Caveats

-- It is not recommended to take a single amino acid for an extended period

of time without supplementing with other amino acids as well. Long-term

isolated amino acid supplementation can create an imbalance in the body.

-- People with diabetes should take caution when supplementing with

cysteine, as it can interfere with and inactivate insulin.

-- Do not supplement with cysteine if you are susceptible to kidney stones.

Additional Nutrients

There are several other nutrients which may synergize with cysteine and

vitamin C. Glutathione, the predominant sulfhydryl antioxidant in the human

body, should be considered. A seemingly significant but unknown amount of

glutathione is broken down in the stomach into its component amino acids

(glutamate, cysteine and glycine).

Thiamine (vitamin B-1) and lipoic (thioctic) acid are key sulfur-containing

nutrients. Under normal circumstances intestinal absorption of thiamine is

not very efficient. This is why you often see this given in higher doses.

Regards,