Types of Toxins that Require Detoxification
There are many different types of compounds considered toxins by the body, but they can all be placed into one of two categories:
Exogenous toxins are absorbed through external sources including water, air, food, or direct contact. For example
- Acrylamide, formed when foods are baked or fried at high temperatures, and as a byproduct of cigarette smoke
- Arsenic in many home-building products
- environmental phenols, including bisphenol A (BPA), found in plastics and food packaging
- Perfluorinated chemicals (PFOAs), used to create non-stick cookware
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), found in paints, air fresheners, cleaning products, perfumes and colognes, carpets, and dry-cleaned clothing
- Synthetic pesticides, including a variety of fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides commonly used in conventional agriculture
Endogenous toxins are metabolic byproducts that are produced inside the human body. These include:
- High blood glucose
- Advanced glycation end products (AGEs)
- Free-radicals
- Aldehydes
Whether toxins are of endogenous or exogenous origin, they all must undergo the same 3-phase process to eliminate.
The Three Phases of Detoxification
To be eliminated from the body most toxins must first be converted to a harmless, water-soluble form. This process occurs in three phases that work together.
Phase I detox: Enzymes in the liver break down larger molecules into smaller ones, but produce highly reactive free radicals in the process. These free radicals damage cells unless further processed in Phase II or neutralized by internal antioxidants.
Phase II detox: Conjugation phase II enzymes join partially metabolized toxins with large molecules to produce water-soluble substances that are ready for elimination in the body.
Phase III detox: The elimination phase when toxins leave the body via urine, stool, or sweat.
SNPs that impact detoxification can affect Phase I, II, or III. Shop nutritional supplements to support each phase of healthy detoxification.
Are your enzymes working? Why test for genetic enzymes and detoxification problems?
Identifying altered detoxification genes allows us to better protect ourselves from the buildup of harmful chemicals that have the potential to increase risk of disease.
Understanding how genetics affect detoxification enzymes helps us develop the right treatment plan to make sure the body is properly eliminating toxins.
Who can benefit from SNP genetic testing?
SNPs help predict an individual’s response to certain drugs, susceptibility to environmental factors such as toxins, and risk of developing some diseases.
SNPs can also be used to track the inheritance of genetic factors that could predict disease within families. Research is ongoing to identify SNPs associated with increased risk of chronic or complex diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and breast cancer.
Scientists have found more than 600 million SNPs, but it’s important to note that most do not affect health or development.
How to boost your detoxification function
If you have genetic variations that affect detoxification enzymes, there are many ways you can promote healthy detox function. Some of the most effective ones include:
- Certain supportive vitamins and minerals (NAC, glutathione, magnesium, and herbs such as milk thistle & berberine)
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption
- Eat a nutrient-dense diet & avoid ultra-processed foods
- Stay hydrated
- Exercise regularly
- Reduce daily stress
For more on understanding detoxification and how to properly support this process, read this post.
Understanding the role of genetics and detoxification is key to supporting your body’s natural ability to eliminate toxins. If you suspect that your detox genes may be impaired, it is important to work with a medical practitioner or health coach to develop an individualized plan for supporting your detox pathways. Additionally, you can work to avoid exposure to significant amounts of environmental toxins that further contribute to impaired detox.
Resources
- https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/4/768
- https://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/overview_ner.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK268889/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24494987/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4680839/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25705646/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8876337/
