iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll cdt heFoods, drugs, toxins, and other substances undergo processes such as oxi-
dation, reduction, hydrolysis, hydration, and dehalogenation to prepare
them to attach to detoxifying nutrients during Phase II. These intermedi-
ates are often more toxic than the original substances ingested.
The required nutrients in Phase I are B vitamins (B 2 , B 3 , B 6 , B 12 , folic acid,
glutathione, and flavonoids).
Phase II
In Phase II, the intermediaries undergo conjugation, sulfation, glucuron-
idation, glutathione conjugation, acetylation, amino acid conjugation,
and methylation reactions, which detoxify them and make them water-
soluble so they can be excreted in stool or urine.
The required nutrients in Phase II are folic acid, magnesium, glutathione,
B 5 , B 12 , and vitamin C as well as the amino acids methionine, cysteine,
glycine, taurine, glutamine, and choline.
Due to low HCL levels, gluten intolerance, and other absorption issues
present in Hashimoto’s, the body does not properly absorb nutrients
required for detoxification pathways (see the Depletions chapter for
details).
Since the body is constantly bombarded with toxins in the form of un-
digested foods, pesticides, medications, exhaust fumes, and so on, this
results in a “backlog” or “liver congestion” in which the toxins build up,
get back into the blood, and may wind up stored in our fat.
Acid-Alkaline Food Balance
Creating a more alkaline environment in the body may help with the
detoxification process and can improve alkaline phosphatase function.
While this initially seems to contradict the previous recommendation to
increase stomach acidity, it does not. Keeping the stomach acidic and the
rest of the body alkaline is the key to optimal health and can be achieved
through diet and digestive enzymes.