2023-04-20 09:31:20
The liver is at the heart of the care protocols of all types of non-conventional medicine practitioners. Indeed, this organ with many functions is considered as one of the most important in detoxification. All the blood in the body passes through this biochemical “filter”: its cells are organized into hepatic lobules which revolve around a vein. Molecules from food are mainly transported directly to the liver following their assimilation by the intestine, unlike those from the air breathed, the skin or the sublingual mucosa which circulate in the body and can be stored if the conditions allow it before being supported by detoxifying enzymes in the liver.
The comparison of the liver to a filter is quite misleading
If a mechanical filter accumulates the elements, the liver acts more like a “chemical filter”. The elements not neutralized by the enzymatic reactions remain in circulation. Lipophilic compounds are more readily stored in adipocytes and nervous tissues, therefore the brain. The consumption of (animal) liver satisfactorily provides nutrients necessary for detoxification (among others).
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The liver: our poison control center
Two inseparable phases
The first phase, called “functionalization”, is the one that will degrade and transform fat-soluble compounds into water-soluble compounds, and therefore eliminable (by bile in particular). It involves enzymes (with cytochromes and mainly of the CYP450 type, which we will find in this dossier). Their action consists of adding a molecule (a hydroxyl) to the fat-soluble compound. This oxidative phenomenon generates free radicals and creates a transformation product (the metabolites) very unstable intermediate and above all more toxic than the original one.
This oxidative stress (which we will see) is compensated by our anti-radical systems (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase) on the one hand, and by providing antioxidants (vitamins E, C, A and carotenoids, flavonoids, glutathione, taurine, uric acid…) on the other hand. Once the oxidative stress has been compensated, the second phase takes place.
This second phase, called “conjugation” reduces the instability of the metabolite and promotes its elimination by associating it (therefore conjugation!) with other molecules. These different conjugation mechanisms are provided by enzymes (of the transferase type) which are assigned very specific missions such as:
- la glucuronidation which couples molecules (drugs, estrogens, etc.) with glucuronates. This is the most common conjugation mechanism;
- glutathione conjugationwhich is essential in the management of substances such as drugs, alcohol, heavy metals, but which has highly antioxidant properties;
- sulfation which eliminates substances containing sulfur (drugs, additives, toxins from intestinal and environmental bacteria);
- finally, a fundamental phenomenon, methylationfor estrogen metabolism and homocysteine biotransformation.
Needs and co-factors for each phase
The enzymatic processes of each phase of detoxification consume specific nutrients. Phase 1 needsenergytherefore ATP (adenosine triphosphate), a molecule which transports the energy produced by mitochondria, whose functioning can be reduced by an intoxicated environment (diets rich in carbohydrates, sedentary lifestyle and lack of oxygenation). She also needs magnesium (magnesium-dependent ATPase). In phase 2, care must be taken not to be deficient in vitamins B, C, minerals enzyme cofactors (zinc, selenium, magnesium, manganese, copper). For methylation: magnesium, vitamins B6, B9, B12, choline, cysteine, glycine (and trimethylglycine).
Fragile teamwork
Only here it is: these two phases do not always run at the same level of intensity, the activity of each being sensitive to very different elements. This major detoxification operation is like a company with two teams, to which we do not provide the same equipment and which sometimes do not work at the same pace: sometimes the work does not progress fast enough, sometimes there is an overload of work, and often the tools are not available to work properly. For example, methylation uses enzymes whose reactions depend on energy (adenosine triphosphate) and the availability of various micronutrients (magnesium, Vit. B6, B9 and B12, choline, glycine, etc.). It is thus thwarted by deficiencies or disturbances (sedentary lifestyle, etc.), so many individuals see their detoxification improve upon resuming physical activity or during magnesium supplementation.
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Chelating and detoxifying plants and supplements
Instead of supplements containing folic acid, prefer natural folates
Many people consume supplements (vit. B9) containing folic acid. However, this poses a problem when it must undergo numerous transformations to be used in its active form (methylfolate). In addition, part of the population is deficient in the enzyme which makes it possible to transform this folic acid into methylfolate. The unusable folic acid then blocks the folate receptors (natural form of folic acid), which increases the risk of deficiency. It is therefore best to look for folate in the diet: liver and legumes are the best sources.
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