The Liver's Role in Detoxification

Although we may try to live healthy lifestyles, we are constantly exposed to contaminants. The liver, which performs a variety of crucial functions including detoxification and filtration of toxins from the blood, has to face external and internal chemicals and pollutants on a daily basis. Some of these come from our environment, and some are produced within the body, as wastes of our metabolic processes. The liver detoxifies the body from potentially harmful substances through a complex series of enzymatic chemical reactions referred to as Phase I and Phase II Detoxification.

Most environmental toxins are fat-soluble and therefore difficult to eliminate without the liver’s help. The detoxification process will result in the transformation of a fat-soluble compound to a water-soluble compound for excretion.

Phase I Detoxification

The Phase I detoxification system, composed mainly of the cytochrome P450 enzymes, is generally the first enzymatic defense against foreign compounds.

In Phase I, a cytochrome P450 enzyme uses oxygen to add a reactive group such as a hydroxyl radical to the toxin. During this process, free radicals are produced which, if excessive, can cause secondary damage to the liver cells. Antioxidants can help reduce the damage caused by these free radicals.²

Phase II Detoxification

Many toxins require additional processing to complete the transformation into a water-soluble form, and this takes place in Phase II detoxification, which generally follows Phase I activation. This process is known as conjugation, as the liver binds water-soluble molecules such as glutathione (the master antioxidant), sulfur, and specific amino acids to the toxin, converting it into a less harmful and more soluble compound. These compounds can then be excreted through bile or urine.²

Several ingredients can promote Phase II toxin elimination via bile production.

Milk Thistle Liver Detox™: A Powerful Formula to Support Liver Health

Milk Thistle Liver Detox™ addresses the multiple body systems involved with liver function, supporting cleansing, bile flow, and antioxidant defense.

Milk thistle has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine to support liver health. Emerging research suggests that this amazing plant has significant liver benefits.^3,4 A flavonoid complex called silymarin can be extracted from the seeds of milk thistle and is believed to be the biologically active component.⁵ Milk Thistle Liver Detox™ uses a standardized extract that yields 80% silymarin. Silymarin may work by protecting liver cells from free radicals and supporting healthy liver function to assist with the detoxification of chemical toxins that it is bombarded with daily.

It may help protect liver cells directly by stabilizing their membrane through inhibiting lipid peroxidation and increasing liver glutathione levels.^6,7 Additionally, this product provides a variety of antioxidants for cellular protection, including botanicals and precursor to glutathione. Turmeric root extract supplies curcuminoids, which have been shown to increase the enzymes responsible for glutathione synthesis.⁸ Emerging research suggests that Vitamin C, one of the most active and abundant anti-aging antioxidants in the body, may also support the maintenance of healthy glutathione levels.^9,10

Works Cited

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4. Hajaghamohammadi, A. & Ziaee A. The Efficacy of Silymarin in Decreasing Transaminase Activities in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Hep. 8 (3): 191-195 (2008).
5. Natural Standard – Milk Thistle. Monograph (2011).
6. Mansour, H. H., Hafez, H. F. & Fahmy, N. M. Silymarin modulates Cisplatin-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in rats. J. Biochem. Mol. Biol. 39, 656–661 (2006).
7. Milk Thistle. Monograph. Altern. Med. Rev. J. Clin.Ther. 4, 4. 272-274 (1999).
8. Shishodia, S., Chaturvedi, M. M. & Aggarwal, B. B. Role of curcumin in cancer therapy. Curr. Probl. Cancer 31, 243–305 (2007).
9. Puskas, F., Gergely, P., Banki, K. & Perl, A. Stimulation of the pentose phosphate pathway and glutathione levels by dehydroascorbate, the oxidized form of vitamin C. FASEB J. Off. Publ. Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol. 14, 352–1361 (2000).
10. Johnston, C. S., Meyer, C. G. & Srilakshmi, J. C. Vitamin C elevates red blood cell glutathione in healthy adults. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 58, 103–105 (1993).
11. Health Canada – Dandelion. Monograph (2008).
12. Natural Medicine – Boldo. Monograph (2015).
13. Natural Standard – Artichoke. Monograph (2011).