A variety of foreign agents, including environmental chemicals, food additives,
natural food constituents, and pharmaceuticals, enter our bodies
every day. Many of these compounds must undergo metabolism by specific enzymes within the body
to facilitate their clearance. The most important of the enzyme
systems, which is found in the liver, includes the cytochrome P450‐dependent mixed function oxidase, as well as several conjugation enzymes, including sulfotransferase, glucuronyl transferase and glutathione‐S‐transferase.
The balance of the reactions determines the rate of metabolism and clearance of these xenobiotic agents. Specific dietary components, such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, have been demonstrated to affect the efficiency of these reactions.
The detoxication system of terrestrial plants has evolved over greater than 300 million years to protect animals from dietary plant toxins and protection against
chemical and oxygen toxicity requires all categories of
nutrients, confirming that the role of food and nutrition in detoxication is essential to survival.
Without realising it, we are all exposed to a wide range of toxins every day. Some are a natural part of our diet and environment and some are man‐made. Over evolutionary time, biochemical pathways are developed that have allowed our bodies to cope with this onslaught.
As an experienced nutritional therapist trained in the biochemistry of these enzymes, I can provide personalised recommendations that will optimise their function and support your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Further information:
• Parke DV. Nutritional requirements for detoxication of environmental chemicals. Food Addit Contam. 1991 May‐Jun;8 (3):381‐96. Review • Guengerich FP. Influence of nutrients and other dietary materials on cytochrome P‐450 enzymes. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995 Mar;61(3 Suppl):651S‐658S. Review. • Lappin G. Chemical toxins and body defences. Biologist (London). 2002 Feb;49(1):33-7. Review. • Lall SB, Singh B, Gulati K, Seth SD. Role of nutrition in toxic injury. Indian J Exp Biol.