Get Healthy with Tina

The Liver

Detoxification Pathways

To Process Fat soluble toxins

Step 1- b vitamins, glutathionine, antioxidants, milk thistle, vit E and C

Step 2- amino acids, glutamine, glycine, taurine, cyesteine, sulphurated phytochemicals, ie garlic

Step 3- waste products (water soluble toxins) eliminated by the gallbladder-bile-bowel or kidneys-urine

Stage 1 (fat soluble toxin)

When and Why Problems occur

Sluggish or over active stage 1- alcohol lingers, anaesthetics take longer to wear off, toxic reactions to medications,

Induced by environmental toxins, bad foods- charcoal boiled meats, high protein diets, saturated fats

Inhibited by, turmeric, cruciferous vegetables, onion, garlic, grapefruit

Supporting Detoxification thru the Liver

Phase 1 induces, peppers, celery, carrots, rosemary, thyme, oregano, peppermint, olive oil, protein

Generates large amounts of free radicals, milk thistle used here

Toxin list, metabolic end products, micro organisms, contaminants/pollutants, insecticides, pesticides, food additives, drugs and alcohol.

Stage 2

Sluggish? Environmental illnesses, does garlic make you sick, does your urine have a strong smell after eating asparagus, headaches, stomach pain, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, brain fog during fasting or weight loss, toxaemia in pregnancy, do you use paracetamol, have a low protein diet or consume lots of alcohol?

Phase 2 inducer, adequate protein, onions and scallions, citrus fruit, turmeric, milk thistle, crucerferous vegetables ie, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts

When phase one is more efficient than phase two, then phase two becomes overwhelmed and can not keep up with the demand. Even everyday toxic metabolites eg. Perfume or paint cause illness symptoms.

Stage 3 (water soluble toxin)

The Antiporter System

Primary active in the intestines.

Xenobiotics are actively pumped out of the cell to reduce their intracellular concentrations

Co regulated with the phase 1 CYP3A4 enzyme

The first point of contact with drugs and food as well as environmental xenobiotics.

Essential hypertension often due to altered glucose metabolism due to insulin resistance is common. Excess methylgloxal binds groups of proteins alter calcium channels and increase cytosolic free Ca+ and blood pressure.

NAC normamises blood pressure by directly binding to excess methylglyoxal, thus normalising Ca+ channels. NAC also leads to increased levels of tissue glutathione, a storage form of cysteine.

Foods to eat for Liver Health

Apples contain pectin which helps to bind and excrete heavy metals from the intestines. This helps to directly reduce the filtration load on the liver.

Beets, carrots, red onions and eggplant contain flavanoids and betacarotene which are potent anti oxidants.

Garlic contains allicin and selenium, assists with removal of heavy metals.

Eggs, brown rice and whole grains, broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, bok choy, kale, radishes and turnips contain glucosinolates which help the liver produce enzymes for detoxification.

Grapefruits are rich in anti oxidants and help in natural detoxification of liver. (slows phase 1 and encourages phase two pathways)

Bitter vegetables such as bitter gourd, dandelion greens, mustard greens and chicory promote the production and flow of bile.

Radish and watercress rich in sulphur

Fibre binds toxins: psyllium, flax, fruit and veg and wholegrains.

Protein: liver requires amino acids for phase 2 pathways

LIVER WELLNESS

Eat organically produced foods to avoid toxic chemical residues

Avoid artificial flavourings and preservatives

Avoid processed foods that contain hydrogenated and trans fats

Use cold pressed oils and do not use them for cooking.

Olive oil and coconut oil are best used raw and at low heats only, or add after food has been removed from the heat.

Make sure your nuts and seeds are really fresh

Avoid excess saturated animal fat and processed meats such as sausage, bacon, salami, hot dogs, processed dairy products.

Alcohol is known to be a powerful toxin that will damage the liver.

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