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LIVER PHASE II ENZYME PATHWAYS

Detoxification is a term I use throughout the program.

Healing and health is not possible if 'toxicity' can not removed from the body.

But I would like to point out that I do NOT promote active detoxification, hopefully the reasons for this should be clearer at the end of this topic. What I do promote is preparing the body to cope naturally with the toxicity that has to be cleansed from the organism on a daily basis.

The bodies detox systems are truly incredible, way beyond human understanding. Our responsibility is to support the basic nutritional requirements and not overload the detox systems with an excessive lifestyle, and let the body do what ONLY it can do.

The basic detox procedure.

Liver Phase I pathway. Toxins are mainly fat soluble and hence are stored in the fat tissues such as the brain, kidneys, liver, cell membranes etc. Phase I enzymes chemically alter toxins to make them water soluble and release them into the systemic circulating lymph and/or blood. The important point is that some toxins become SIGNIFICANTLY more toxic to the organism after being altered by the phase I enzymes.

Liver Phase II pathway. This pathway is also known as the conjugation pathway. The products of the phase I pathway are combined with phase II enzymes, making them much less toxic and more water soluble allowing them to be excreted in the urine or bile. 

The danger is the period between Phase I and Phase II activity when some toxins have become extremely toxic and can do great damage. I deplore detox programs that do not address this vital issue, one only needs to look at the long term results.

Why are toxins stored in the body? because the Phase II pathways have been overwhelmed and are exhausted. Hence it is not logical or safe to promote the release of toxins into the systemic circulation.

The six main Phase II enzyme pathways are

  • GLUTATHIONE CONJUGATION

  • AMINO ACID CONJUGATION

  • THE METHYLATION PATHWAY

  • SULPHATION PATHWAY

  • ACETYLATION PATHWAY

  • GLUCURONIDATION PATHWAY

The above pathways overlap providing backup systems to deal with various families of toxins. The symptoms presenting, and various tests are available which help identify pathways that require support.