liver function and detoxification pathways chapter

[Guest guest]

We're on this subject quite a lot -- if anyone wants a text file of a

chapter on liver function and detoxification pathways from Great

Smokies scientists, just email me and request it. Please use the

approriate words in the subject line.

This is as complete as most will be able to stand it; although it's

written for the public, there's something in it for the practitioner

too.

Duncan Crow

duncancrow at shaw.ca

[Guest guest]

Please send this to meDuncan Crow <duncancrow@...> wrote:

We're on this subject quite a lot -- if anyone wants a text file of a chapter on liver function and detoxification pathways from Great Smokies scientists, just email me and request it. Please use the approriate words in the subject line.This is as complete as most will be able to stand it; although it's written for the public, there's something in it for the practitioner too.Duncan Crowduncancrow at shaw.ca

[Guest guest]

Ditto. Sorry to keep you so busy, but I would also like a copy.

We're on this subject quite a lot -- if anyone wants a text file of a

chapter on liver function and detoxification pathways from Great

Smokies scientists, just email me and request it. Please use the

approriate words in the subject line.

This is as complete as most will be able to stand it; although it's

written for the public, there's something in it for the practitioner

too.

Duncan Crow

duncancrow at shaw.ca

[Guest guest]

Hi Gigi,

I have attached it for you; If anyone else wants it or any kind of

personal advice, please email me privately, as I might not noice a

post to the group.

When you read it you'll see how very important cold-processed whey

and selenium is to make glutathione, and that's just the beginning --

other antioxidants and liver flushes come into play too.

Also, reducing toxin load by correcting the bowel bacteria is

important; the bad bowel bacteria can be one of your biggest toxin

load contributors.

More on my website, below:

regards,

Duncan Crow

wholistics consultant

---

http://members.shaw.ca/duncancrow/

see more of my articles on:

http://zeek.ca/4u/mod.php?mod=userpage & menu=200 & page_id=3

#410, 2556 Dingwall St

Duncan BC

Canada V9L 2Y9

250-748-6967

--- live and help live... ---

Scanned from the book " 7-Day Detox Miracle " by N.D. and

Barrie

N.D. with Sara Faye. Published by Prima Health, a division of Prima Publishing.

ISBN:0-

7615-1422-8

The Liver's Detoxification Function

Your body doesn't like to keep any molecules around for a long time. Even " good "

molecules, such as hormones, are constantly being disassembled and reconstructed

to

prepare them to be recycled or eliminated. Thanks to detoxification enzymes, the

liver is

able to break tip most molecules, even toxic and dangerous ones. Enzymes are

molecules

that act as catalysts in the transformation process. There are thousands of

different

enzymes, each with a unique role.

Think of this detoxification process as a two-phase wash cycle. Enzymes are like

the

soap that liberates grease into little droplets, removing impurities that the

water can't

remove on its own. In the first part of the wash cycle (Phase 1), enzymes break

toxins

down into intermediate forms. Figure 5.2 illustrates the complicated process of

how some

common toxins are broken down during Phase I detoxification. Some toxins are

ready for

elimination at this stage, but others require a second wash cycle. In Phase 2,

these

intermediate compounds are routed along one of six chemically driven

detoxification

pathways, where they are further broken down, and then bound to specific types

of'

protein molecules which act as " escorts " to guide them out of the body, allowing

them to

exit through the kidneys (in the form of urine) or the bile (in the form of

feces). This

process is called conjugation and is illustrated in figure 5.3. Of the six

pathways, three

warrant special mention.

One of the most important systems in Phase 2 is the glutathione conjugation

pathway,

which utilizes glutathione for the detoxification of deadly industrial toxins

such as PCBs,

and the breakdown of carcinogens. Its activity accounts for up to 60 percent of

the toxins

excreted in the bile. Glutathione also circulates through the bloodstream

combating free

radicals. No other conjugating substance is as versatile as glutathione and the

body's

supply of it, most of which is produced by the liver, is easily depleted.

Exposure to high

levels of toxins exhausts reserves of glutathione, possibly increasing

susceptibility to

cancer. Chronic disease, HIV, and cirrhosis use up reserves of glutathione.

Excessive

exercise, which increases oxidative stress and ree radical production, and

alcohol

consumption, which blocks glutathione production, also deplete glutathione in

the blood.

The weakest pathway in most people, from a dietary standpoint, is sulfation, the

one

responsible for the transformation of neurotransmitters, steroid hormones,

drugs,

industrial chemicals, phenolics (compounds derived from benzene, commonly used

in

plastics, disinfectants, and pharmaceuticals), and especially toxins from

intestinal

bacteria and the environment. Intake of too little dietary sulfur, a molecule

that must

come from our diets, is a cause of ineffective detoxification. If your exposure

to

substances that need to be deoxified via the sulfation pathway is high, but your

sulfate

reserves are low due to an inadequate diet, you will not be able to break down

these

toxins.

Studies have established a strong association between the function of the

sulfation

pathway and a variety of illnesses including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's

disease,

motor neuron disease, autism, primary biliary cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis,

food

sensitivity, and multiple chemical sensitivity. The detoxification profile test

described in

Chapter 7 identifies alterations in this pathway.

The body manufactures five different types of amino acids that form a third

detoxification pathway: glycine, taurine, glutamine, arginine, and ornithine. Of

these,

glycine is the most important for the neutralization of toxins. In some cases,

the body

cannot make enough glycine to keep up with its own detoxification needs. Though

not

considered an essential amino acid because the body can make it, glycine

production

depends on an adequate intake of dietary protein. Individuals who eat a

protein-deficient

diet have trouble detoxifying environmental pollutants.

Glycine supplies can be depleted by lifestyle stresses. Benzoates for example,

found in

soft drinks, bind with glycine and rob the body's store of it. One study found

that people

who consumed a large number of soft drinks had problems breaking down toluene, a

common industrial organic solvent. Aspirin also slows down this detoxification

pathway

because it competes for available glycine in the liver.

When the diet is supplemented with glycine, as well as the other nonessential

amino

acids, there is a noticeable improvement in the detoxification capabilities of

many

people.

Problems in Phase I and Phase 2

Detoxification

When the liver is " sluggish, " Phase I of the detoxification cycle may not be

processing

toxins at a normal and necessary speed. This causes toxins to accumulate in the

bloodstream. If the hormone estrogen, for example, is not dismantled during

Phase 1, the

buildup can reach potentially harmful levels. Premenstrual tension can be an

expression

of this. Many factors can cause Phase I to become sluggish. As we age, our

detoxification

processes slow. Use of medications such as anti-ulcer drugs (cimetidine) and

oral

contraceptives; exposure to cadmium, lead, and mercury; and consumption of large

amounts of sugar and hydrogenated fats hinder Phase I detoxification.

Substances that slow down Phase I detoxification, setting the stage for a toxic

buildup,

are called Phase I inhibitors. They affect the DNA of the liver cells, causing

less

detoxification enzymes to be produced. In addition to those mentioned

previously, Phase

I inhibitors include:

• Grapefruit

• Turmeric

• Capsicum (found in hot peppers)

• Cloves

• Drugs containing benzodiazepene such as antidepressants and Valium

• Antihistamines

• Ketoconazole (used in antifungal medications)

• Toxins from bacteria in the intestines

Pancreatitis and the Detoxification Bottleneck

Mainstream medicine generally does not factor in bottleneck detoxification

problems in

diagnosis and treatment. Our clinical experience, however, has shown us that

when

treatment focuses on eliminating this problem, other disease conditions improve.

For

example, we believe that many cases of pancreatitis are caused by a bottleneck

detoxification problem. The use of alcohol, cigarettes, and a body-abusing

lifestyle

creates this bottleneck, and the free radicals generated in this process cause

inflammation

in the pancreas.

We had a patient who had been in the hospital several times for acute

pancreatitis. He

was always alternating between a healthy lifestyle and use of alcohol and

cigarettes.

After every binge, he would end up in the hospital with pancreatitis. We put him

on a

detoxification program with great success. Patients with pancreatitis often

report

exposure to diesel fumes, solvents, and trichloroethelene. These toxins also

seem to

accentuate the susceptibility to alcohol-related pancreatitis. The treatment of

pancreatitis

with detoxification medicine is not mentioned in medical literature. However, we

believe

there's ample evidence to make it a first-line treatment consideration.

A different type of detoxification problem develops if Phase I breaks down

toxins at so

fast a rate that Phase 2 cannot keep up. In this situation, the toxic

intermediates produced

during Phase I waiting to be washed out in Phase 2 flood the system. Many of

these

intermediate compounds-stuck in between Phase I and Phase 2-are more dangerous

than

the original toxin. This bottleneck can become a biochemical nightmare, damaging

the

liver, brain, and immune system.

Some of the substances that accelerate the breakdown of toxins in the liver by

increasing

the production of Phase I enzymes, without a concurrent increase in Phase 2

enzymes, are

known carcinogens- paint fumes, and cigarette smoke. Others are well known for

their

detrimental effects, such as alcohol and steroids. Even some otherwise harmless

substances such as limonene from lemons, increase Phase I detoxification. But

unlike

cigarette smoke, limonene does not create dangerous intermediate molecules. As

you

read the following list, keep in mind that it is not strictly a list of " bad "

things, but of

those that increase the rate of Phase I detoxification, and that this becomes a

problem

only when Phase 2 can't keep up.

• Phenobarbital

• Steroids

• Sulfonamide medications

• Foods in the cabbage family

• Charbroiled meats

• High-protein diets

• Citrus fruits

• Vitamin B1

• Vitamin B3

• Vitamin C

• Environmental toxins (exhaust fumes, paint fumes, dioxin, pesticides)

• Cigarette smoke

• Alcohol

• Endotoxins from intestinal bacteria in the bloodstream

Exposure to a toxin, when coupled with exposure to another substance that speeds

up

Phase 1, is especially dangerous.

The combination of alcohol and acetaminophen provides a good example. It's not

uncommon to drink heavily, and later take acetaminophen for the headache that

follows.

The intermediate compound (from acetaminophen) is an extremely toxic substance

called n-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine (NAPQI). Under normal conditions, NAPQ1 is

removed quickly during Phase 2, but alcohol intake forces more NAPQI into the

liver

than Phase 2 can handle.

Research has shown that specific foods and nutrients not only have a beneficial

effect on

detoxification capability, but can also provide a safe and viable approach to

treating a

variety of immune disorders and toxicity syndromes.

If two or more detoxification accelerants are combined, they can interact, with

serious

consequences. An individual on a prescription medication who smokes, for

example,

actually needs higher dosages of the medication because smoking causes the

medication

to be broken down faster than it normally would be during Phase 1. If Phase 2

can't

handle the extra burden, a detoxification bottleneck results. We predict that in

the future,

medical specialists will check detoxification capabilities in order to give more

accurate

drug prescriptions.

Case History

Joanie was a forty-eight-year-old female who had a history of hepatitis B, a

disease of the

liver. She had worked for many years in the graphic arts field, and was

regularly exposed

to volatile organic solvents. She came to our clinic with symptoms of chronic

fatigue. We

did a comprehensive liver detoxification screening. The test clearly showed

which

pathways were out of balance. After recommending the correct nutrients, Joanie

was on

the road to repairing her damaged liver function and rebuilding her health.

Problems in Phase I and Phase 2 liver detoxification are so prevalent, and have

such a

major impact on health that we believe it's a good idea for everyone to have

liver

detoxification tests as part of a standard medical workup. This lab test,

described in

Chapter 7, can identify problems localized in the different detoxification

pathways. If you

suffer from chronic liver and gallbladder problems, you're probably a candidate

for this

test. Abnormal results, of course, will require ruling out a liver disease

before going

ahead with detoxification therapy. Assessing detoxification function makes it

possible to

diagnose a problem before symptoms actually appear. Tests that measure Phase I

and

Phase 2 enzymes take much of the guesswork out of estimating the severity of

liver

detoxification dysfunction, and can to some extent indicate whether a person is

at special

risk for cancer, neurological disease, chemical and drug sensitivity, and immune

problems.

Diet and Detoxification: Feeding Phase I and 2

You can take steps to keep your liver detoxification system running smoothly.

Diet has a

strong effect on detoxification enzymes, and foods can help " regulate " or

balance Phase I

and 2 activity. Eating foods that support the liver can reduce your

susceptibility to

damage from toxins and to conditions Such as multiple chemical sensitivity

syndrome,

chronic fatigue syndrome, and cancer. Research has shown that specific foods and

nutrients not only have a beneficial effect on detoxification capability, but

can also

provide a safe and viable approach to treating a variety of immune disorders and

toxicity

syndromes.

Essential fatty acids are vital for Phase I detoxification, and the standard

American diet

does not provide an adequate supply of these vital nutrients. Essential fatty

acid intake in

the form of cold-water fish and flaxseed oils have a demonstrated ability to

heighten

detoxification. Other sources of essential fatty acids include edible oils, such

as those

made from sunflower seeds, walnuts, and sesame seeds; wheat germ; and

supplements of

black current seed, borage, or evening primrose oil.

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables daily is a good way to continually replenish

your body's

store of glutathione, necessary for one of Phase 2 pathways. High-quality

protein

nourishes both the amino acid and the sulfation pathways. Vegetable sources of

sulfur for

the sulfation pathways include radishes, turnips, onions, celery, horseradish,

string beans,

watercress, kale, and soybeans. Eggs, fish, and meat are also excellent sulfur

sources.

Cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, citrus fruits, and lemon peel oils support

Phase 2

activity. Studies have shown dramatic results from consuming broccoli sprout

extract,

which inhibits the activity of Phase 1 enzymes and, simultaneously enhances the

Phase 2

glutathione pathway. Broccoli sprout extracts are especially beneficial for

people who

have frequent or high-level exposure to pesticides, exhaust fumes, paint fumes,

cigarette

smoke, or alcohol. Anyone who is exposed to known carcinogens will benefit from

broccoli sprout extract.

Foods to Support Liver Detoxification

• Cabbage family

• Cold-water fish

• Flaxseed oil

• Fruits (fresh)

• Garlic

• Nuts and seeds

• Onions

• Safflower oil

• Sesame seed oil

• Sunflower seed oil

• Vegetables (fresh)

• Walnut oil

• Wheat germ and wheat germ oil

Nutritional Supplements to Support Liver Detoxification

• Bioflavonoids

• Black currant seed oil

• Borage oil

• Carotenes

• Coenzyme QIO

• Copper

• Evening primrose oil

• Folic acid

• Iron

• Lecithin

• Magnesium

• Manganese

• N-acetyl-cysteine

• Niacin

• Riboflavin

• Selenium

• Silymarin (milk thistle)

• Trace minerals

• Vitamin A

• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

• Vitamin B12

• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

• Vitamin D

• Vitamin E

• Vitamin K

• Zinc

The Gallbladder, Bile, and Gallstones

The gallbladder is the end of the detoxification road that begins in the liver.

Bile is the

fluid into which the liver excretes its toxins. (The other routes of elimination

are the

sweat glands and the kidneys.) After bile is produced in the liver, it runs into

the

gallbladder and eventually into the intestinal tract. We have found that in many

cases

people with liver problems also have gallbladder problems, and vice versa.

Bile is made in the liver from cholesterol, bilirubin, and lecithin, and is then

secreted into

the gallbladder. While in the gallbladder, bile is concentrated by a

reabsorption of the

liquids back into the circulatory system. A proper ratio of bile components is

necessary

for it to remain in solution. Abnormal ratios promote the formation of

cholesterol crystals

or stones in the gallbladder. During a meal, bile is secreted by the gallbladder

into the

intestines to promote the digestion and breakdown of oils and fats. After the

intestines

absorb them, these bile-digested fats are used in the body to build cells,

hormones, and

prostaglandins (a group of chemicals that act like hormones).

When constipation occurs, bacteria in the intestines split the toxins that are

bound up in

the bile, in turn causing reabsorption of these already detoxified poisons. A

diet high in

vegetables will prevent constipation. Beta-glucuronidase is an intestinal

bacterial enzyme

that releases compounds for reabsorption. To prevent this reabsorption of

toxins, an

adequate supply of calcium d-glucarate, a natural ingredient in vegetables that

inhibits

beta-glucuronidase activity, is necessary. Charcoal will also bind up the bile

and prevent

toxins from being reabsorbed into the bloodstream.

Gallstones-a common complaint in North America-easily disrupt the flow of bile.

They

are found in sixteen to twenty million Americans and are twice as common for

women as

men. Usually the stones are a mixture of cholesterol, calcium, bilirubin, and

lecithin.

Occasionally, however, the gallbladder also forms a stone consisting mainly of

calcium

with a little bit of cholesterol. If you have gallstones, observe the following

instructions:

1. Take lecithin daily. Cholesterol stones are caused when your liver excretes

more

cholesterol into the gallbladder than it does lecithin and bile acids. The

cholesterol tends

to " supersaturate " and form stones. A daily supplement of 500 mg of lecithin

with meals

keeps the bile flowing smoothly.

2. Limit dietary sugar. Sugar intake correlates with gallstone formation,

suggesting that

sugar stimulates cholesterol synthesis.

3. Take 5 g of soluble fiber (pectin in fruits, beans, or oat bran) daily with

meals.

4. Eat a low-fat diet to prevent obesity.

5. Eat small meals to ensure proper digestive capacity.

6. Avoid food allergens, which are notorious for provoking acute attacks of

gallbladder

inflammation. Eggs are considered the worst offender.

7. Take 500 mg of bile acids with every meal; this is usually 50 percent

effective in

reducing the size of the cholesterol variety of gallstones.

8. Take supplements of the amino acids methionine and taurine. Because women's

bodies

make less taurine than men's, this might be the clue to their twofold increased

risk for

gallstones. The dose is 1 g of each, between meals, twice daily.

9. Take dandelion root (Taraxacum officinalis) extract. It's a superb cholegogue

(releases

stored bile), gentle in action, and safe to use. The dose of the solid extract

is 1 teaspoon, 3

times a day. The solid extract is hard to find in the store, but the next best

thing is to use

the powdered root. The dose is 8 g as a tea, 3 times a day.

Detoxification and You

Human beings are not created biochemically alike. Everyone has a liver and a

gallbladder; all livers and gallbladders are designed to do the same work; but

not all

livers and gall bladders work the same. Some of us are genetic warriors,

naturally

equipped to stay up all night, drink alcohol, eat whatever we like, smoke, work

brutal

hours under tremendous stress, and even so die peacefully in our sleep at the

age of

ninety-five. But for others, not born with a hardy, resilient constitution, such

a lifestyle is

a prescription for poor health and an early death. Despite the fact that

advertisements for

everything from painkillers to breakfast cereals create the impression that

what's good for

one is good for all, there is really a large range of variability in how we

function

metabolically and what we need.

Genetic biocapabilities determine, to a large extent, our

ability to handle the onslaught of environmental toxins.

Each of us faces the physical, mental, and emotional stresses of life equipped

with a

unique molecular system characterized by its own inherent weaknesses and

strengths.

These genetic biocapabilities determine, to a large extent, our ability to

handle the

onslaught of environmental toxins. For example, much of the variability in the

activity of

both the glutathione and sulfation pathways is inherited. Your inborn capacity

to manage

toxins creates the climate in which either health or disease will flourish. A

family history

of estrogen-related breast cancer, smoking-induced lung cancer, and other types

of cancer

can be related to inherited weaknesses of detoxification capability.

These genetic differences are a result of the wide variance in how detoxifying

enzymes in

the liver express themselves. The term to describe this is metabolic

polymorphism. This

means that there is a variety (poly) of forms (morphism) that humans have in

detoxifying

their environment (metabolic).

In the book entitled Genome, authors Jerry E. Bishop and Waldholtz,

propose

that genetic susceptibility factors should be the major focus of medicine in the

future.

This, they suggest, would make it possible to modify the environment

appropriately to

protect individuals against diseases related to genetic polymorphism. Yet

hereditary

variations in the biochemical breakdown and transformation of toxins is still

one of the

most undervalued and under-utilized areas of prevention and treatment.

Medical doctors could be individualizing health care plans and minimizing risks

using

laboratory tests (described in Chapter 7) to assess detoxification functions.

This

screening process would identify those individuals who have very strong

detoxification

abilities as well as those who require special help to discourage the onset of

disease. Not

taking genetics and detoxification abilities into consideration sets the stage

for illnesses

that are preventable.

It is possible to minimize the impact of our biological weak links. The

" Achilles' Heel "

that's encoded in our DNA that makes each of us more susceptible to certain

stressors can

be countered by our daily lifestyle choices and compensated for with nutritional

medicine

and detoxification support. Naturopathic doctors have many ways to stimulate the

liver,

for example, using herbs, special diets, physiotherapy, and homeopathic

medicines.

Treatment of gall bladder disease frequently includes the same herbal medicines

that are

used for liver detoxification problems. If you have an inherited weakness in

these organs,

the EcoTox program will help. It is designed to stimulate the liver and gall

bladder, as

well as the proper digestion of foods and nutrients necessary for their

activity. In the

following chapter, you'll learn more about the sources of toxins that place such

a heavy

burden on the liver, and the toll they take on your health.