and pain. L-carnitine feeds the heart oxygen and energy and protects the body
from ketosis during catabolic breakdown of tissues.
The liver detoxifies substances in two steps:
PHase 1. oXiDation
The liver is chief detoxifier of externally derived toxins, and is the main storage
organ for glutathione prior to exportation to the other organs. Glutathione
depletion contributes to liver injury, and to increased the morbidity related to an
under functioning liver. An under functioning liver is more susceptible to toxic
risk and injury, while altering fundamental liver cell functions. Factors that deplete
the liver resources of glutathione can decrease conjugation ability and increase
damage done by toxins. The deficiency of glutathione caused by one toxin may
render the liver more vulnerable to other toxins. Glutathione is most concentrated
in the liver, where the cytochrome P-450 enzymes convert metabolic waste and
toxins to more water-soluble GSH conjugates in order to facilitate their excretion.
Some leave the body via bile and out through the colon, others are carried to
the kidneys and excreted through urine. Many carcinogens, heavy metals, drug
metabolites and endotoxins are disposed of in this way.
The P450 system seems geared primarily to effect homeostatic control over
circulating steroid hormones and other endogenous, fat-soluble substances.
Cytochrome P450 reactions themselves generate free radicals and this can cause
secondary damage to cells. Therefore an adequate supply of key antioxidants is
essential to prevent tissue damage. Antioxidants such as Glutathione, superoxide
dismutase and additional nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin E, zinc, selenium
and N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). Other nutrient co-factors required for phase 1
reactions include riboflavin, niacin, magnesium, iron and certain phytonutrients
such as indoles from cruciferous vegetables and quercetin. The metabolites from
this detoxification process are often potentially more harmful than their original
toxic compounds so it’s important that these toxic compounds not be allowed to
build up. This is where Phase II of liver detoxification comes in.
PHase 11. conJUGation
Conjugation is the neutralization of free radicals by the liver’s antioxidant
enzymes through the donation of a small molecule, so they can be safely escorted
out of the body in bile and urine. Phase II also removes the oxidized wastes created
in step one, and heavy metals. In Phase II glutathione conjugation is the primary
pathway for these intermediate metabolites. Glutathione is the body’s most
powerful antioxidant and is the most abundant antioxidant in the liver and also
the main detoxifying agent in the body. Increased exposure to toxins as well as
a poor dietary supply of glutathione can soon lead to glutathione depletion and
increased damage from these highly reactive intermediates.
Glutathione is crucial for step two conjugation. If the body doesn’t have
enough of the amino acids and cofactors needed to produce glutathione then toxins
accumulate in fatty tissues, the brain and nerve sheaths. Glutathione plays a role in
nutrient metabolism, and regulation of cellular events (including gene expression,