The liver is one of the human organs that is actively involved in detoxifying toxic substances especially from the gut. Detoxification process involves converting fat-soluble toxins into soluble substances that can be excreted through urine or bile.
Up to 90% of all cancers are due to the effects of – environmental carcinogens including smoke, water, food, air and nutrients required for the proper functioning of the immune and detoxification system. Hence proper functioning of the liver detoxification system is important for preventing cancer.
Glutathione is thousand times more available than any other parts of the body and greatly affects how the liver functions.
Glutathione Liver Detoxification
There are two phases in detoxification- Phase I and Phase II
Phase I Liver Detoxification
1. The Glutathione is used to tie-up the toxins to create more radicals.
2. This is achieved by various chemical reactions like oxidation, hydrolysis, and reduction.
3. Without free radicals defense, when the liver neutralizes a toxin exposure, free radical damages them. Antioxidants reduce such damages.
4. If Glutathione is less, toxic chemicals become more dangerous
Phase II Liver Detoxification
There are mainly six phase II detoxification pathways:
1. Glutathione Conjugation
3. Amino Acid Conjugation
For phase II detoxification, an extra amount of Glutathione is required to deal with radicals produced in phase I. Insufficient Glutathione for phase II will lead to too many free radicals which could be toxic for the human body.
The toxins which are transferred to activated intermediates in phase I are more reactive and should be balanced by the rate at which phase II finishes their processing.
Glutathione Detoxification can be understood better with the following key points:
1. One of the studies by a physician from Emory University states that Glutathione is the key protector and antioxidant and has multiple functions in the prevention of diseases and detoxification of drugs and chemicals.
2. Its reduction is closely associated with increased toxicity and diseases.
3. Glutathione works synergistically with antioxidants like Vitamin C to neutralize the scavenge oxygen and free radical species to diminish oxidative stress or liver damage.
4. Repleation of Glutathione showed a better response to interferon who are being treated for hepatitis.
Bottom line low Glutathione in the liver does not produce a desirable outcome. Liver actually produces a lot of Glutathione which is circulated into the bloodstream so that it neutralizes free radicals.
Toxic overload contributes to Glutathione depletion and also reduces the liver’s ability to produce the antioxidant. To optimize Glutathione supply, stick to a nutrient dense diet with regular exercise and smart supplementation.