Guest guest Posted March 6, 2003 Report Share Posted March 6, 2003 Thought you should be aware of this "Sam-e" stuff What is SAM-e? SAM-e is short for S-adenosylmethionine, an essential molecule naturally occurring in the cells of plants and animals. SAM-e is not an herb. As we age, our bodies produce less SAM-e, so some think that SAM-e may be a helpful supplement when used to treat depressive symptoms. It has been available in European countries through prescription. What is SAM-e used for? SAM-e has been getting attention in recent years in the United States for the treatment of depression or to preserve emotional well-being, as well as for other conditions. Initial studies indicate that SAM-e may be effective in helping with depressive symptoms; however, studies are ongoing, and no clinical trials have proven SAM-e safe or effective in the treatment of depression. Is SAM-e safe? At present, the safety of SAM-e has not been proven. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve or regulate the distribution of supplements in the United States. Not all formulations of SAM-e are the same. Some brands are more potent than others, depending upon the quality of the ingredients used. SAM-e can have numerous adverse side effects, including: Nausea. Diarrhea. Headache. Anxiety. Flatulence (gas). Causing a change from bouts of depression to intense periods of energy (mania). Another issue in deciding whether to use SAM-e is cost. The recommended oral dose is 200 to 800 mg twice per day. Most studies used 1,600 mg per day to get any positive effects in relieving depressive symptoms. A 1-month supply of SAM-e at 1,600 mg per day would cost about $228. Other herbal treatments are more cost-effective. Suzi foxhillers wrote: St John's Wort is helpful in mild to moderate depression...... for clinical depression, SAM-e works great.mjh Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, and more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2004 Report Share Posted August 8, 2004 In a message dated 8/8/2004 8:48:16 PM Eastern Daylight Time, writes: many of my patients take this. any thoughts? based upon what is treats: joint pain, emotional depression, liver disease and repairs cell damage (thus promoting longevity), it seems to have blood and qi moving properties. It should not be combined with antidepressants as it works similarly. Since these drugs also move qi, ... My understanding is that Sam-e is part of the methylation, demethylation cycle which is critical for many body functions, including DNA splicing. If people are low in some b- vitamins, chorine or methionine, the methylation process is diminished and people become deficient in other compounds including serotonin and the sulfur compounds found in the joints. Methylation is a key process in helping the liver detox, so given Sam-e adds some key ingredients to the methylation cycle, it could improve liver detox function if it has been over worked with toxins and the methylation cycle has been diminished. IMHO, Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2004 Report Share Posted August 8, 2004 SAMe Description S-Adenosylmethionine is the active Lipotrope form of Methionine (i.e. it is a Methionine-derivative that also contains Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) within its chemical structure) normally manufactured within the body but also manufactured synthetically for use as a nutritional supplement. Health Benefits of SAMe Detoxification Supplemental SAMe (1,200 mg per day) counteracts the Anxiety and Depression commonly experienced by persons with Drug Dependence (including Opiates dependence) during the detoxification and rehabilitation period. research Digestive System Supplemental SAMe stimulates the flow of Bile. Supplemental SAMe (600 - 800 mg per day) helps to prevent Cholestasis (by improving the flow of Bile). research Immune System Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients have low endogenous Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) levels of SAMe and for this reason supplemental SAM is under investigation as a potential treatment for AIDS. research Supplemental SAMe helps to protect against Liver Cancer in people exposed to Liver carcinogens. research Metabolism Supplemental SAM (1,200 mg per day) significantly reduces the elevated Bilirubin levels that are associated with Gilbert’s Syndrome. SAMe helps to protect Liver cells and helps to preserve Liver cell function in Hepatitis C patients. references SAMe is stored in the Liver and Supplemental SAM enhances the health of and normalizes the function of the Liver: research - Supplemental SAMe inhibits Alcohol-induced Liver damage. - Supplemental SAMe can prevent and cure Cirrhosis. research - Supplemental SAMe can prevent and cure Fatty Liver. SAMe functions in over 40 biochemical reactions within the body - it functions as a Methyl Donor. Musculoskeletal System SAMe stimulates the production of Cartilage. research Supplemental SAMe enhances the differentiation of Chondrocytes into Chondroblasts. research Supplemental SAMe (800 mg per day) alleviates Fibromyalgia: research - Specific improvements in Fibromyalgia symptoms caused by SAMe therapy include a significant reduction in the number of trigger points, reduction in Fatigue, reduction in morning stiffness and improvements in Mood. Supplemental SAMe (400 - 1,200 mg per day) alleviates Osteoarthritis (by increasing Cartilage formation). research Supplemental SAM alleviates Fibrositis. Nervous System Alzheimer’s Disease patients exhibit severely decreased levels of SAM within their Brains (indicating that supplemental SAMe may be highly beneficial to Alzheimer’s Disease patients): research - It was previously (prior to 1995) assumed that Alzheimer’s Disease patients had excessive accumulation of SAMe - this assumption has now proven to be erroneous. SAMe is an essential factor for the regeneration of Axons on Neurons research following injury and is also essential for the formation of Myelin Sheaths that surround Axons: research - SAM helps to prevent the death of Neurons during periods of Anoxia (absence of Oxygen). research Supplemental SAMe (400 - 1,600 mg per day) alleviates all forms of Depression: research - Many studies have confirmed that SAMe is significantly (approximately 15%) more effective for the treatment of Depression than traditional Pharmaceutical Anti-Depressants. - SAMe alleviates Major Depression. research - SAMe is especially effective in treating Postpartum Depression. Supplemental SAMe (after long-term use) helps to treat Migraines. research Supplemental SAMe is presently under investigation as a potential treatment for Parkinson’s Disease. research SAMe's Biochemical Pathway View SAM’s Biochemical Pathway SAMe Enhances the Function of these Substances Amino Acids SAMe is essential for the endogenous production of Glutathione within the Liver. research SAMe is essential for the conversion of Putrescine to Spermidine. research SAMe is essential for the conversion of Spermidine to Spermine. research Hormones SAMe is an essential cofactor for the conversion of N-Acetylserotonin to Melatonin. SAMe is an essential cofactor for the conversion of Norepinephrine to Adrenaline. research Lipids SAMe increases the endogenous production of Phosphatidylserine (PS). Minerals SAMe is an essential cofactor for the endogenous production of all Sulfur-containing compounds within the body. Neurotransmitters SAMe increases the production of Dopamine. research SAMe improves the ability of Neurotransmitters to bind to their respective Neurotransmitter Receptors. research SAMe is an essential cofactor for the conversion of Norepinephrine (NE) to Adrenaline. research SAMe increases the production of Serotonin. research Nucleic Compounds SAMe is essential for the production of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA). research SAMe is essential for the production of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA). research Pharmaceutical Drugs Supplemental SAMe accelerates the onset of action of Imipramine in the treatment of Depression. research These Substances Facilitate the Endogenous Production of SAM Alkaloids Betaine (especially the Trimethylglycine (TMG) form of Betaine) increases endogenous SAMe levels. research Amino Acids Methionine is the precursor for the endogenous production of SAMe: research - The conversion of Methionine to SAMe requires the presence of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) and is catalyzed by the S-Adenosylmethionine Synthetase (SAM Synthetase) enzyme. - Half of the total Methionine content of the body is used in the Liver for the production of SAMe. Carbohydrates Ribose is a component of the SAMe molecule. Enzymes S-Adenosylmethionine Synthetase (SAMe Synthetase) catalyzes the conversion of Methionine to (SAM): research - More precisely, SAMe Synthetase + Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) + Water + L-Methionine = Orthophosphate + Pyrophosphate + S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM). Nucleic Compounds Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is an essential cofactor for the endogenous conversion of Methionine to SAMe. Adenine is a component of the SAMe molecule (as part of Adenosine Triphosphate). Vitamins Folic Acid facilitates the synthesis of endogenous SAMe. research Vitamin B6 facilitates the synthesis of endogenous SAMe. research Vitamin B12 facilitates the synthesis of endogenous SAMe. research SAMe Counteracts the Toxic Effects of these Substances Amino Acids Supplemental SAMe lowers elevated Homocysteine levels. research Pharmaceutical Drugs SAMe is speculated to protect against the toxic effects of Doxorubicin to the Heart. research Supplemental SAMe reduces the death-rate from overdoses of Paracetamol: - Animals studies have demonstrated that when rats are given supplemental SAMe within one hour of Paracetamol overdose, death can be prevented in 100% of cases; if supplemental SAM is administered within five hours of Paracetamol overdose, the death rate is significantly reduced. Recreational Drugs SAMe inhibits Alcohol-induced Liver damage: research - SAM counteracts the ability of Alcohol to cause Fatty Liver and also treats pre-existing Fatty Liver. Toxins - Environmantal SAMe reduces the Liver damage caused by Carbon Tetrachloride. These Substances Interfere with S-Adenosylmethionine Recreational Drugs Excessive Alcohol (ethanol) consumption decreases the body’s production of SAMe. research These Ailments Interfere with S-Adenosylmethionine Aging Process The body’s levels of SAMe decline in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. research Toxic Effects of S-Adenosylmethionine SAM is regarded as a very safe substance - the side effect mentioned below occurs in only a minority of individuals. Nervous System Supplemental SAM causes Nausea in a very small number of persons. Contraindications Mania patients should not use supplemental SAMe (as additional SAM can aggravate Mania). research Manic Depression patients should not use supplemental SAMe - as SAMe’s Antidepressant properties may exacerbate the Manic phase in some Manic Depression patients. Bioavailability Early forms of supplemental SAMe were deemed to be poorly absorbed orally, however more recently developed “salts” and enteric-coated versions of SAM are believed to be as bioavailable as intravenously- administered SAM. Dosage Recommendations The therapeutic dosage of supplemental SAMe is 400 - 1,200 mg per day. Supplemental SAMe should be consumed on an empty Stomach. “Waiting Period” Generally, the longer that supplemental SAMe usage is continued, the more beneficial the results. Forms of SAMe SAM Sulfate is comprised of 50% SAM + 50% Sulfate. Alternatives to SAMe Supplements The main disadvantage of SAMe supplementation is its very high cost. It is possible to stimulate the body’s endogenous production of SAMe by using supplemental Betaine (Trimethylglycine) + Folic Acid + Vitamin B12. Commercial Availability of SAMe Supplements SAMe supplements are manufactured from purified Yeast. The best form of SAMe is enterically-coated Butanedisulfonate SAMe. “Singular” Oral SAM Supplements Supplemental SAMe is available (within the USA) from some specialized nutrient suppliers and also from some international mail order supplement companies in the form of: - 200 mg capsules - 200 - 500 mg tablets Chemical Data Molecular Formula C15H23N6O5S < wrote: many of my patients take this. any thoughts? based upon what is treats: joint pain, emotional depression, liver disease and repairs cell damage (thus promoting longevity), it seems to have blood and qi moving properties. It should not be combined with antidepressants as it works similarly. Since these drugs also move qi, ... Chinese Herbs FAX: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2004 Report Share Posted August 9, 2004 With such an impressive list maybe we should all take a little SAME -JASON -- In , Brian Hardy <mischievous00> wrote: > SAMe > > Description > S-Adenosylmethionine is the active Lipotrope form of Methionine (i.e. it is a Methionine-derivative that also contains Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) within its chemical structure) normally manufactured within the body but also manufactured synthetically for use as a nutritional supplement. > > Health Benefits of SAMe > Detoxification > Supplemental SAMe (1,200 mg per day) counteracts the Anxiety and Depression commonly experienced by persons with Drug Dependence (including Opiates dependence) during the detoxification and rehabilitation period. research > Digestive System > Supplemental SAMe stimulates the flow of Bile. > Supplemental SAMe (600 - 800 mg per day) helps to prevent Cholestasis (by improving the flow of Bile). research > Immune System > Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients have low endogenous Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) levels of SAMe and for this reason supplemental SAM is under investigation as a potential treatment for AIDS. research > Supplemental SAMe helps to protect against Liver Cancer in people exposed to Liver carcinogens. research > Metabolism > Supplemental SAM (1,200 mg per day) significantly reduces the elevated Bilirubin levels that are associated with Gilbert's Syndrome. > SAMe helps to protect Liver cells and helps to preserve Liver cell function in Hepatitis C patients. references > SAMe is stored in the Liver and Supplemental SAM enhances the health of and normalizes the function of the Liver: research > - Supplemental SAMe inhibits Alcohol-induced Liver damage. > - Supplemental SAMe can prevent and cure Cirrhosis. research > - Supplemental SAMe can prevent and cure Fatty Liver. > SAMe functions in over 40 biochemical reactions within the body - it functions as a Methyl Donor. > Musculoskeletal System > SAMe stimulates the production of Cartilage. research > Supplemental SAMe enhances the differentiation of Chondrocytes into Chondroblasts. research > Supplemental SAMe (800 mg per day) alleviates Fibromyalgia: research > - Specific improvements in Fibromyalgia symptoms caused by SAMe therapy include a significant reduction in the number of trigger points, reduction in Fatigue, reduction in morning stiffness and improvements in Mood. > Supplemental SAMe (400 - 1,200 mg per day) alleviates Osteoarthritis (by increasing Cartilage formation). research > Supplemental SAM alleviates Fibrositis. > Nervous System > Alzheimer's Disease patients exhibit severely decreased levels of SAM within their Brains (indicating that supplemental SAMe may be highly beneficial to Alzheimer's Disease patients): research > - It was previously (prior to 1995) assumed that Alzheimer's Disease patients had excessive accumulation of SAMe - this assumption has now proven to be erroneous. > SAMe is an essential factor for the regeneration of Axons on Neurons research following injury and is also essential for the formation of Myelin Sheaths that surround Axons: research > - SAM helps to prevent the death of Neurons during periods of Anoxia (absence of Oxygen). research > Supplemental SAMe (400 - 1,600 mg per day) alleviates all forms of Depression: research > - Many studies have confirmed that SAMe is significantly (approximately 15%) more effective for the treatment of Depression than traditional Pharmaceutical Anti-Depressants. > - SAMe alleviates Major Depression. research > - SAMe is especially effective in treating Postpartum Depression. > Supplemental SAMe (after long-term use) helps to treat Migraines. research > Supplemental SAMe is presently under investigation as a potential treatment for Parkinson's Disease. research > SAMe's Biochemical Pathway > View SAM's Biochemical Pathway > SAMe Enhances the Function of these Substances > Amino Acids > SAMe is essential for the endogenous production of Glutathione within the Liver. research > SAMe is essential for the conversion of Putrescine to Spermidine. research > SAMe is essential for the conversion of Spermidine to Spermine. research > Hormones > SAMe is an essential cofactor for the conversion of N-Acetylserotonin to Melatonin. > SAMe is an essential cofactor for the conversion of Norepinephrine to Adrenaline. research > Lipids > SAMe increases the endogenous production of Phosphatidylserine (PS). > Minerals > SAMe is an essential cofactor for the endogenous production of all Sulfur-containing compounds within the body. > Neurotransmitters > SAMe increases the production of Dopamine. research > SAMe improves the ability of Neurotransmitters to bind to their respective Neurotransmitter Receptors. research > SAMe is an essential cofactor for the conversion of Norepinephrine (NE) to Adrenaline. research > SAMe increases the production of Serotonin. research > Nucleic Compounds > SAMe is essential for the production of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA). research > SAMe is essential for the production of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA). research > Pharmaceutical Drugs > Supplemental SAMe accelerates the onset of action of Imipramine in the treatment of Depression. research > These Substances Facilitate the Endogenous Production of SAM > Alkaloids > Betaine (especially the Trimethylglycine (TMG) form of Betaine) increases endogenous SAMe levels. research > Amino Acids > Methionine is the precursor for the endogenous production of SAMe: research > - The conversion of Methionine to SAMe requires the presence of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) and is catalyzed by the S-Adenosylmethionine Synthetase (SAM Synthetase) enzyme. > - Half of the total Methionine content of the body is used in the Liver for the production of SAMe. > Carbohydrates > Ribose is a component of the SAMe molecule. > Enzymes > S-Adenosylmethionine Synthetase (SAMe Synthetase) catalyzes the conversion of Methionine to (SAM): research > - More precisely, SAMe Synthetase + Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) + Water + L-Methionine = Orthophosphate + Pyrophosphate + S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM). > Nucleic Compounds > Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is an essential cofactor for the endogenous conversion of Methionine to SAMe. > Adenine is a component of the SAMe molecule (as part of Adenosine Triphosphate). > Vitamins > Folic Acid facilitates the synthesis of endogenous SAMe. research > Vitamin B6 facilitates the synthesis of endogenous SAMe. research > Vitamin B12 facilitates the synthesis of endogenous SAMe. research > SAMe Counteracts the Toxic Effects of these Substances > Amino Acids > Supplemental SAMe lowers elevated Homocysteine levels. research > Pharmaceutical Drugs > SAMe is speculated to protect against the toxic effects of Doxorubicin to the Heart. research > Supplemental SAMe reduces the death-rate from overdoses of Paracetamol: > - Animals studies have demonstrated that when rats are given supplemental SAMe within one hour of Paracetamol overdose, death can be prevented in 100% of cases; if supplemental SAM is administered within five hours of Paracetamol overdose, the death rate is significantly reduced. > Recreational Drugs > SAMe inhibits Alcohol-induced Liver damage: research > - SAM counteracts the ability of Alcohol to cause Fatty Liver and also treats pre-existing Fatty Liver. > Toxins - Environmantal > SAMe reduces the Liver damage caused by Carbon Tetrachloride. > These Substances Interfere with S-Adenosylmethionine > Recreational Drugs > Excessive Alcohol (ethanol) consumption decreases the body's production of SAMe. research > These Ailments Interfere with S-Adenosylmethionine > Aging Process > The body's levels of SAMe decline in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. research > Toxic Effects of S-Adenosylmethionine > SAM is regarded as a very safe substance - the side effect mentioned below occurs in only a minority of individuals. > Nervous System > Supplemental SAM causes Nausea in a very small number of persons. > Contraindications > Mania patients should not use supplemental SAMe (as additional SAM can aggravate Mania). research > Manic Depression patients should not use supplemental SAMe - as SAMe's Antidepressant properties may exacerbate the Manic phase in some Manic Depression patients. > Bioavailability > Early forms of supplemental SAMe were deemed to be poorly absorbed orally, however more recently developed " salts " and enteric-coated versions of SAM are believed to be as bioavailable as intravenously- > administered SAM. > Dosage Recommendations > The therapeutic dosage of supplemental SAMe is 400 - 1,200 mg per day. > Supplemental SAMe should be consumed on an empty Stomach. > " Waiting Period " > Generally, the longer that supplemental SAMe usage is continued, the more beneficial the results. > Forms of SAMe > SAM Sulfate is comprised of 50% SAM + 50% Sulfate. > Alternatives to SAMe Supplements > The main disadvantage of SAMe supplementation is its very high cost. It is possible to stimulate the body's endogenous production of SAMe by using supplemental Betaine (Trimethylglycine) + Folic Acid + Vitamin B12. > Commercial Availability of SAMe Supplements > SAMe supplements are manufactured from purified Yeast. > The best form of SAMe is enterically-coated Butanedisulfonate SAMe. > " Singular " Oral SAM Supplements > Supplemental SAMe is available (within the USA) from some specialized nutrient suppliers and also from some international mail order supplement companies in the form of: > - 200 mg capsules > - 200 - 500 mg tablets > Chemical Data > Molecular Formula > C15H23N6O5S > > wrote: > many of my patients take this. any thoughts? based upon what is > treats: joint pain, emotional depression, liver disease and repairs > cell damage (thus promoting longevity), it seems to have blood and qi > moving properties. It should not be combined with antidepressants as > it works similarly. Since these drugs also move qi, ... > > > Chinese Herbs > > > FAX: > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2004 Report Share Posted August 11, 2004 I ran across this post. I hate to be a jerk but what do others think a liver detox is? I'm not coming down on Chris, it's just I hear this all the time and i realized I don't know what it means. doug > Methylation is a key process in helping the liver detox, so given Sam-e > adds some key ingredients to the methylation cycle, it could improve liver > detox function if it has been over worked with toxins and the methylation cycle > has been diminished. > > IMHO, > > Chris > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2004 Report Share Posted August 11, 2004 The liver is responsible for taking potentially harmful compounds and breaking them down into less harmful compounds. It will allow some to reenter the blood, others to be expelled through bile and in some situations, the liver will store them in fat. This is part of the normal process of the liver. Bile flow is an important aspect of the " detox " process otherwise, the liver has trouble getting rid of the compounds and is forced to either allow them back to the blood or store them in fat. If a person has had liver Qi stag, it is my belief that the liver will be holding on to more toxins than if the Qi was moving freely. If a person improves bile and Qi flow or biochemistry, then the liver is more able to resume the job of getting rid of toxins. If there has been an abundance of toxin stored, there may be a lot of toxins dumped into bile or blood which could give a person symptoms that many would call a " Healing Crisis " . IMHO, Chris In a message dated 8/11/2004 3:16:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time, writes: I ran across this post. I hate to be a jerk but what do others think a liver detox is? I'm not coming down on Chris, it's just I hear this all the time and i realized I don't know what it means. doug > Methylation is a key process in helping the liver detox, so given Sam-e > adds some key ingredients to the methylation cycle, it could improve liver > detox function if it has been over worked with toxins and the methylation cycle > has been diminished. > > IMHO, > > Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2004 Report Share Posted August 11, 2004 The following information was taken from http://gsdl.com/, this is one of several labs that I use in my practice depending on the tests that I order. For food sensitivites I use: http://alcat.com/ For hormone testing I use: www.Diagnos-Techs.com For amino acids and fatty acids I use: http://www.metametrix.com/default.asp For hair analysis looking at heavy metal content I use: http://www.doctorsdata.com/ I always use the standard blood tests which I order through Lab Corp, although they do not tell you how the liver detox pathways are functioning. The normal blood tests will tell you if the liver is inflammed such as in hepatitis Here are a few of the standard blood tests for the liver: GGPT, sometimes listed as GGT is one of the first enzymes to be elevated in the serum during liver dysfunction. The elevations persist as long as hepatic cellular damage continues. It is generally a more sensitive indicator if liver/biliary disease than Alkaline Phosphatase and in certain conditions, SGOT. However, elevated bilirubin in the urine will be evident long before serum GGPT, SGOT or Alkaline Phosphatase become elevated in the serum. Plasma GGPT is also elevated in severe alcoholism and seems to correlate well with alcohol intake. Six or more alcoholic drinks per day can result in dramatic serum elevations that return to normal quickly after alcohol ingestion is completely stopped. SGOT, also known as AST, is an enzyme found in the cytoplasm of liver, kidney, myocardial, and skeletal muscle cells in high activity; lesser activities are present in many organs. Out of all the transaminases (enzymes) only AST and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) have serum activities that correlate with disease processes in organs like liver, skeletal muscle and heart. Following any injury to these organs, concentrations of AST begin to increase within 10 hours, reaching a peak level in 30 hours. Depending on the extent of the injury, AST generally returns to normal homeostatic levels with 4-6 days. AST also acts as a catalyst in amino acid metabolism. I am sure this will answer your questions regading liver detox. There are other sources that I could reccommend that may be easier to understand if this is new to any of you. Brian N Hardy, DC, LAc, CCN WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF IMPAIRED DETOXIFICATION? Toxic exposure results in free radical production which can be damaging to the body as antioxidants are depleted. This can result in disorders such as arteriosclerosis, allergies, inflammatory joint disease, neurological diseases, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. An increased exposure to toxins can deplete glutathione, sulfate, and other critical nutrients used in detoxification. The resulting accumulation of toxic intermediate metabolites can contribute to chronic fatigue, environmental sensitivities, or other chronic illnesses. One of the body's primary self-defense mechanisms is the conversion and neutralization of metabolic products and toxins into soluble and safe by-products which can then be eliminated. Many challenges to this system - a leaky gut, repeated exposure to food-borne toxic chemicals, environmental pollutants, bacterial endotoxins, and other substances - can increase the detoxification burden. This overload can lead to greater production of free radicals and damage to many body systems. Assessing multiple path-ways with challenge substances provides clinical information about individuals with imbalanced detoxification. The innovative Detoxification Profile assesses the body's capacity to carry out detoxification through functional challenges-caffeine, acetaminophen, and salicylate-which evaluate specific aspects of the detoxification process and free radical damage. These functional assessments provide a comprehensive profile of the body's detoxification capacity and potential susceptibility to oxidative damage Clinical relationships Long term exposure to environmental pollutants and continued affronts to the detoxifying systems may lead to oxidative stress, high levels of P-450 activity, and reduced capacity for Phase II conjugation reactions. This can result in accumulation of the toxic compounds, damage to essential fatty acids, impairment of oxidative phosphorylation, and reduced energy production. Patients suffering from toxic burdens may experience a wide range of symptoms, among them fatigue and poor tolerance for exercise. These processes have been postulated to be a central factor in the development of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). A recent study reported that many CFS patients had disordered liver detoxification ability and showed signs of increased toxic exposure.1 Buist suggests that CFS may be a result of xenobiotic or toxin exposure.2 Bland recently reported the relationship between impaired detoxification capability, mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic fatigue. His results suggest that oxidative damage to mitochondria and the detoxification process itself is a fundamental mechanism in the development of CFS.3 Detoxification processes All ingested and microbially-produced toxins are presented to the first-pass clearance system. First-pass clearance involves the biotransformation and clearance of a chemical from the body before it reaches the systemic circulation. This clearance may take place in several organ tissues including the intestinal mucosal wall and the liver. The liver is the body's primary detoxifying organ. Here, detoxification is carried out in two related processes known as Phase I and Phase II. Phase I serves to biotransform substances through oxidation, reduction or hydrolysis, using the cytochrome P450 mixed-function oxidase enzymes. This process increases the solubility of molecules and prepares them for Phase II reactions which will further increase their solubility.4-8 The Phase I reactions are necessary for detoxification, but the resulting production of reactive oxygen species can at times be very damaging. Thus, the liver needs to be able to generate oxidation capacity when needed, yet at the same time generate no more than what is needed. Perhaps this is why Phase I systems are inducible by different compounds. In Phase II, conjugation reactions add a polar hydrophilic molecule to the metabolite or toxin, converting lipophilic substances to water-soluble forms for excretion and elimination. Phase II reactions may follow Phase I for some molecules or act directly on the toxin or metabolite. Major Phase II pathways include glutathione, sulfate, glycine, and glucuronide conjugations.9 Individual xenobiotics and metabolites usually follow one or two distinct pathways. While the modification of Phase I and II enzyme activities has its basis in the research setting, there is growing appreciation of the clinical applications of such strategies. Although exhaustive clinical studies have yet to be performed, we have the biochemical and logical basis upon which to recommend interventions in order to help patients with evidence of chemical sensitivity or high exposures to toxic compounds.10-12 It should be noted, however, that nutritional modification of the P-450 and/or conjugation pathways has strong potential to change drug metabolism. Due to this potential metabolic impact, practitioners should use caution and awareness when recommending such strategies in patients taking prescription medications.13 Assessment of the metabolic status of these major detoxification processes assists with our understanding of the body's capacity to detoxify foreign substances. (See Figure 1)4-8 P-450 Phase I oxidation The family of P-450 enzyme systems is quite diverse, with specific enzyme systems being inducible by particular drugs or metabolites.9 Caffeine is a substance capable of testing a number of P-450 systems simultaneously.14 Measurement of salivary caffeine clearance provides a noninvasive procedure for quantifying hepatic microsomal function, as caffeine is almost completely absorbed by the intestine and is metabolized in the liver by P-450 enzymes.15 Levels are affected only slightly by the presence of liver disease, although they are substantially reduced in cirrhotic patients.15,16 P-450 activity and caffeine clearance is reported to be upregulated by smoking.16,17 A variety of drugs and xenobiotics are oxidized by the P-450 system (Table 1). Thus, this system plays a crucial role in the detoxification and removal of many potentially toxic substances. Phase II pathways Salicylates and benzoate are detoxified primarily through glycination. Many other substances are detoxified as well via the glycine conjugation pathway. Patients suffering from xenobiotic overloads and environmental toxicity may not have sufficient glycine reserves for the metabolic load. Benzoate is present in many food substances and is widely used as a food preservative. It has been employed in studies of glycination, but one of the difficulties in assessing benzoate conjugation is the presence of endogenous levels of benzoate from food and gut sources.18 Aspirin is readily degraded into salicyclic acid and is potentially a better indicator molecule. Although salicylate is conjugated with glycine, similar to benzoate, it also is converted to glucuronide derivatives and three oxidized derivatives. The slower glucuronidation pathway relative to glycine conjugation makes aspirin a more sensitive challenge to the glycine conjugation capability, while the oxidized derivatives allow unique insights into free radical status.19 Sulfate conjugation Neurotransmitters, steroid hormones, certain drugs, and many xenobiotic and phenolic compounds employ sulfation as their primary route of detoxification.20 Acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) is an example of a molecule detoxified primarily through the sulfation pathway. Because acetaminophen is widely available, intensely researched, and safe under most conditions, Great Smokies employs it to evaluate the sulfate conjugation pathway. Steventon identified many poor sulfoxidizers with diminished acetaminophen sulfate conjugation and reported that these individuals are most susceptible to environmental illness and problems of the nervous system, including Parkinson's disease and motor neuron disease.21,22 Acetaminophen sulfate conjugation has also been shown to be reduced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.23 Inorganic sulfate for the sulfation reactions may come directly from dietary sources or indirectly through sulfoxidation reactions (Figure 2). Significant amounts of sulfate precursors may be provided by direct absorption from ingested foods. Methionine and cysteine are probably the most important sources of inorganic sulfate in mammals.24 Glutathione is a reservoir of cysteine, so it also may be an important source of inorganic sulfate. Inorganic sulfate is activated with two ATP molecules, producing phosphoadenosyl phosphosulfate (PAPS). It is this PAPS molecule that then reacts with exotoxins to produce sulfated derivatives. The availability of free sulfate may be the rate-limiting step for these reactions. Some individuals accumulate cysteine and have low sulfate levels. In patients with neurologic disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and motor neuron defect, it appears that the enzyme responsible for sulfoxidation of cysteine to sulfate is often deficient, leading to an elevated plasma cysteine/sulfate ratio.25 The clinical significance of this is profound. Most people with deficient sulfate and xenobiotic loads will benefit from cysteine and glutathione supplementation. Individuals with elevated plasma cysteine/sulfate ratios, however, may worsen with cysteine supplementation and require inorganic sulfate as a supplement, in order to bypass this sulfoxidation step. Molybdenum is a cofactor for sulfite oxidase, one of the enzymes involved in sulfoxidation. Studies indicate that insufficient molybdenum may be a rate-limiting nutrient for this reaction, and supplementation may be indicated. On the other hand, molybdenum, at high levels, can compete with sulfate in its activation step to PAPS as well as for carrier mediated renal tubular reabsorption, thus lowering sulfate levels and impairing sulfation capability. Molybdenum status is therefore important in the assessment of poor sulfation capability.26 It is worth noting that standard treatments for acetaminophen overdose are cysteine or the glutathione precursor, N-acetylcysteine (NAC).27 These compounds, therefore, are likely candidates for nutritional supplementation.28 Glucuronidation Because of the ready availability of UDP-glucuronate in vivo, glucuronidation is considered an important detoxification mechanism when sulfation or glycination is diminished or saturated.29 For most individuals, glucuronidation is a supplemental pathway. The kinetics of glucuronidation cause it to be a secondary, slower process than sulfation or glycination. Glucuronidation appears to be enhanced in obese patients, with the capacity for glucuronidation related almost linearly to total body weight.30 Thus, obese people have enhanced capacity for detoxification of molecules that utilize this pathway. As free radical stress can lead to damage of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation mechanism, it is reasonable to hypothesize that people suffering from oxidative stress may have diminished capacity for Phase II glucuronide conjugation. An interesting example of decreased glucuronidation occurs in subjects with Gilbert's syndrome. It is caused by diminished bilirubin glucuronosyl transferase activity, leading to accumulation of bilirubin in vivo.29 Detoxification-intestinal permeability relationship The intestinal mucosa is the primary barrier to permeation of toxic compounds and macromolecules. Abnormalities of the intestinal barrier system as detected by intestinal permeability assessment may lead to enhanced uptake of inflammatory luminal macromolecules, endotoxins and xenobiotics. Impairment of intestinal integrity dramatically increases mucosal absorption of substances that are normally excluded. These foreign chemicals are presented to the liver's detoxifying system for processing and elimination. They can stress the detoxification capability of the liver or be partially processed and accumulate in the liver and adipose tissue. It has been speculated that the combination of leaky gut and dysfunctional liver detoxification can lead to increased tissue stores of toxic compounds and depressed immune status. Using the Detoxification Profile In the Detoxification Profile, one caffeine caplet (200 mg) is taken in the morning and its clearance is assessed from two salivary specimens collected two and eight hours after ingestion. Aspirin and acetaminophen are ingested in the evening and the products of detoxifying reactions are assessed in a 10-hour overnight urine specimen. The challenge dose consists of two capsules of aspirin (650 mg total) and two capsules of acetaminophen (650 mg total). The only side effect is potential drowsiness. In the Comprehensive version of this profile, the urine specimen is analyzed for levels of lipid peroxides. In addition, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, plasma cysteine, and plasma sulfate are assessed from fasting blood specimens. Interpreting the Detoxification Profile Interpreting the Detoxification Profile For more detailed information, refer to our Detoxification Profile Interpretive Guidelines. Low caffeine clearance (Phase I): Indicates slow P-450 enzyme activity and metabolic detoxification difficulty; may also reflect use of medications such as amphetamines, cimetidine, and oral contraceptives. High caffeine clearance (Phase I): Reflects excessive P-450 enzyme induction, possibly due to toxin exposure; also implies greater production of free radicals. Low acetaminophen mercapturate, salicyluric acid, acetaminophen sulfate or acetaminophen glucuronide (Phase II): Indicate inadequate Phase II conjugation reactions. Low levels may reflect depletion of the particular amino acids or nutrient cofactors used in the reactions, or diminished enzymatic capacity for conjugation. Elevated Phase I/Phase II ratios: May reflect elevated (induced) Phase I processes or diminished Phase II conjugation reactions. The ratio of Phase I to Phase II detoxification processes is important in determining the toxicity of certain drugs, and these ratios may be significant indicators of the balance of biological processes. The following markers are included in the comprehensive version of the Detoxification Profile. For more detailed information on the oxidative stress markers, refer to our Oxidative Stress Interpretive Guidelines. Elevated plasma cysteine/sulfate ratio: Suggests possible impairment of the sulfoxidation reaction that converts cysteine to the inorganic sulfate required for sulfation. Elevated ratios have been noted in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and motor neuron disease. Elevated plasma cysteine: Indicates sulfoxidation impairment, other blocks in cysteine metabolism, excess intake of cysteine and related molecules, or excessive catabolism. Checking the levels of plasma sulfate and glutathione provides further information. Depressed plasma sulfate: Suggests sulfoxidation impairment, especially when plasma cysteine is elevated. Organic sulfate precursors such as L-cysteine, N-acetyl cysteine, or glutathione may be contraindicated in these cases. Low reduced glutathione: Suggests low amount of glutathione available for removal of toxic intermediates, generation of cysteine and sulfate reserves, and antioxidant activity. Low glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px): Implies inadequate defense against accumulation of oxidized lipids in cell membranes. Low levels are found in conditions such as Down's syndrome, Alzheimer's dementia, and beta-thalassemia minor and may indicate insufficient nutrient cofactors. High/low superoxide dismutase (SOD): Decreased in conditions associated with inflammation, impaired glucose metabolism, and zinc deficiency. High levels occur in systemic sclerosis, myositis and malignant melanoma, and may also indicate exposure to agricultural pesticides. Elevated Urine Lipid Peroxides: Suggest increased cellular lipid peroxidation and the need for antioxidant protection of body lipids. High Hydroxyl Radicals: Indicate the potential for oxidative damage, such as that occurring in the pathogenesis of diabetes and other illnesses. May also reflect the presence of an inflammatory process. Substances which may induce P-450 enzymes • Acetate • Alcohol • Barbiturates • Carbon Tetrachloride • Charcoal-broiled meats • Dioxin • Exhaust fumes • High protein diets • Niacin • Oranges • Organophosphorus pesticides • Paint fumes • Riboflavin • Sassafras • Saturated fats • Steroid hormones • Sulfonamides • Tangerines Frequently Asked Questions Toxic Waste in Your Body? Chronic health problems can develop from your body's impaired detoxification ability. Uncover the link between your symptoms and your liver function. What role does the liver play in detoxification? The liver is a key organ in your body's self-defense system. It changes, or detoxifies, many harmful substances into forms which your body can safely eliminate. How do these toxins get into the body? In today's world of processed foods and pollution, toxic substances exist almost everywhere. They are in the food you eat, the water you drink (from fertilizers, chemicals and other additives such as colorings and preservatives), and the air you breathe (from automobile emissions, pesticides and industrial pollutants). Some of the body's own compounds must be detoxified as well. How does the liver detoxify substances? A healthy liver uses two mechanisms, called Phase I and Phase II detoxification, to remove toxins. In Phase I, your body's enzymes activate toxic substances to make them more accessible to Phase II. In Phase II, other enzymes convert toxins to more water-soluble forms, which your body eliminates through urine or stool. What happens during impaired liver detoxification? An unhealthy liver does not detoxify substances as rapidly or as completely as a healthy liver. Slower detoxification results in more toxic substances circulating in the body. Unchanged or partially changed toxins are not easily eliminated and instead pass from the liver into the body. Eventually, the toxins are stored in fatty body tissue, including the brain and central nervous system cells. Stored toxins may be slowly released into the blood, contributing to many chronic illnesses. How is liver function damaged? A number of conditions affect how well the liver performs its detoxifying duties. Repeated exposure to chemicals and toxins in food, water and the environment increases the detoxification burden. If you have a " leaky gut, " your intestine allows large, undigested molecules to pass into the body. Increased amounts of toxic substances can travel through the liver and overload its capacity to detoxify them. Musiclear wrote: The liver is responsible for taking potentially harmful compounds and breaking them down into less harmful compounds. It will allow some to reenter the blood, others to be expelled through bile and in some situations, the liver will store them in fat. This is part of the normal process of the liver. Bile flow is an important aspect of the " detox " process otherwise, the liver has trouble getting rid of the compounds and is forced to either allow them back to the blood or store them in fat. If a person has had liver Qi stag, it is my belief that the liver will be holding on to more toxins than if the Qi was moving freely. If a person improves bile and Qi flow or biochemistry, then the liver is more able to resume the job of getting rid of toxins. If there has been an abundance of toxin stored, there may be a lot of toxins dumped into bile or blood which could give a person symptoms that many would call a " Healing Crisis " . IMHO, Chris In a message dated 8/11/2004 3:16:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time, writes: I ran across this post. I hate to be a jerk but what do others think a liver detox is? I'm not coming down on Chris, it's just I hear this all the time and i realized I don't know what it means. doug > Methylation is a key process in helping the liver detox, so given Sam-e > adds some key ingredients to the methylation cycle, it could improve liver > detox function if it has been over worked with toxins and the methylation cycle > has been diminished. > > IMHO, > > Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2004 Report Share Posted August 11, 2004 Cool Chris! Thank you for taking the time to forward all of this information! Brian Hardy <mischievous00 wrote:The following information was taken from http://gsdl.com/, this is one of several labs that I use in my practice depending on the tests that I order. For food sensitivites I use: http://alcat.com/ For hormone testing I use: www.Diagnos-Techs.com For amino acids and fatty acids I use: http://www.metametrix.com/default.asp For hair analysis looking at heavy metal content I use: http://www.doctorsdata.com/ I always use the standard blood tests which I order through Lab Corp, although they do not tell you how the liver detox pathways are functioning. The normal blood tests will tell you if the liver is inflammed such as in hepatitis Here are a few of the standard blood tests for the liver: GGPT, sometimes listed as GGT is one of the first enzymes to be elevated in the serum during liver dysfunction. The elevations persist as long as hepatic cellular damage continues. It is generally a more sensitive indicator if liver/biliary disease than Alkaline Phosphatase and in certain conditions, SGOT. However, elevated bilirubin in the urine will be evident long before serum GGPT, SGOT or Alkaline Phosphatase become elevated in the serum. Plasma GGPT is also elevated in severe alcoholism and seems to correlate well with alcohol intake. Six or more alcoholic drinks per day can result in dramatic serum elevations that return to normal quickly after alcohol ingestion is completely stopped. SGOT, also known as AST, is an enzyme found in the cytoplasm of liver, kidney, myocardial, and skeletal muscle cells in high activity; lesser activities are present in many organs. Out of all the transaminases (enzymes) only AST and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) have serum activities that correlate with disease processes in organs like liver, skeletal muscle and heart. Following any injury to these organs, concentrations of AST begin to increase within 10 hours, reaching a peak level in 30 hours. Depending on the extent of the injury, AST generally returns to normal homeostatic levels with 4-6 days. AST also acts as a catalyst in amino acid metabolism. I am sure this will answer your questions regading liver detox. There are other sources that I could reccommend that may be easier to understand if this is new to any of you. Brian N Hardy, DC, LAc, CCN WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF IMPAIRED DETOXIFICATION? Toxic exposure results in free radical production which can be damaging to the body as antioxidants are depleted. This can result in disorders such as arteriosclerosis, allergies, inflammatory joint disease, neurological diseases, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. An increased exposure to toxins can deplete glutathione, sulfate, and other critical nutrients used in detoxification. The resulting accumulation of toxic intermediate metabolites can contribute to chronic fatigue, environmental sensitivities, or other chronic illnesses. One of the body's primary self-defense mechanisms is the conversion and neutralization of metabolic products and toxins into soluble and safe by-products which can then be eliminated. Many challenges to this system - a leaky gut, repeated exposure to food-borne toxic chemicals, environmental pollutants, bacterial endotoxins, and other substances - can increase the detoxification burden. This overload can lead to greater production of free radicals and damage to many body systems. Assessing multiple path-ways with challenge substances provides clinical information about individuals with imbalanced detoxification. The innovative Detoxification Profile assesses the body's capacity to carry out detoxification through functional challenges-caffeine, acetaminophen, and salicylate-which evaluate specific aspects of the detoxification process and free radical damage. These functional assessments provide a comprehensive profile of the body's detoxification capacity and potential susceptibility to oxidative damage Clinical relationships Long term exposure to environmental pollutants and continued affronts to the detoxifying systems may lead to oxidative stress, high levels of P-450 activity, and reduced capacity for Phase II conjugation reactions. This can result in accumulation of the toxic compounds, damage to essential fatty acids, impairment of oxidative phosphorylation, and reduced energy production. Patients suffering from toxic burdens may experience a wide range of symptoms, among them fatigue and poor tolerance for exercise. These processes have been postulated to be a central factor in the development of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). A recent study reported that many CFS patients had disordered liver detoxification ability and showed signs of increased toxic exposure.1 Buist suggests that CFS may be a result of xenobiotic or toxin exposure.2 Bland recently reported the relationship between impaired detoxification capability, mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic fatigue. His results suggest that oxidative damage to mitochondria and the detoxification process itself is a fundamental mechanism in the development of CFS.3 Detoxification processes All ingested and microbially-produced toxins are presented to the first-pass clearance system. First-pass clearance involves the biotransformation and clearance of a chemical from the body before it reaches the systemic circulation. This clearance may take place in several organ tissues including the intestinal mucosal wall and the liver. The liver is the body's primary detoxifying organ. Here, detoxification is carried out in two related processes known as Phase I and Phase II. Phase I serves to biotransform substances through oxidation, reduction or hydrolysis, using the cytochrome P450 mixed-function oxidase enzymes. This process increases the solubility of molecules and prepares them for Phase II reactions which will further increase their solubility.4-8 The Phase I reactions are necessary for detoxification, but the resulting production of reactive oxygen species can at times be very damaging. Thus, the liver needs to be able to generate oxidation capacity when needed, yet at the same time generate no more than what is needed. Perhaps this is why Phase I systems are inducible by different compounds. In Phase II, conjugation reactions add a polar hydrophilic molecule to the metabolite or toxin, converting lipophilic substances to water-soluble forms for excretion and elimination. Phase II reactions may follow Phase I for some molecules or act directly on the toxin or metabolite. Major Phase II pathways include glutathione, sulfate, glycine, and glucuronide conjugations.9 Individual xenobiotics and metabolites usually follow one or two distinct pathways. While the modification of Phase I and II enzyme activities has its basis in the research setting, there is growing appreciation of the clinical applications of such strategies. Although exhaustive clinical studies have yet to be performed, we have the biochemical and logical basis upon which to recommend interventions in order to help patients with evidence of chemical sensitivity or high exposures to toxic compounds.10-12 It should be noted, however, that nutritional modification of the P-450 and/or conjugation pathways has strong potential to change drug metabolism. Due to this potential metabolic impact, practitioners should use caution and awareness when recommending such strategies in patients taking prescription medications.13 Assessment of the metabolic status of these major detoxification processes assists with our understanding of the body's capacity to detoxify foreign substances. (See Figure 1)4-8 P-450 Phase I oxidation The family of P-450 enzyme systems is quite diverse, with specific enzyme systems being inducible by particular drugs or metabolites.9 Caffeine is a substance capable of testing a number of P-450 systems simultaneously.14 Measurement of salivary caffeine clearance provides a noninvasive procedure for quantifying hepatic microsomal function, as caffeine is almost completely absorbed by the intestine and is metabolized in the liver by P-450 enzymes.15 Levels are affected only slightly by the presence of liver disease, although they are substantially reduced in cirrhotic patients.15,16 P-450 activity and caffeine clearance is reported to be upregulated by smoking.16,17 A variety of drugs and xenobiotics are oxidized by the P-450 system (Table 1). Thus, this system plays a crucial role in the detoxification and removal of many potentially toxic substances. Phase II pathways Salicylates and benzoate are detoxified primarily through glycination. Many other substances are detoxified as well via the glycine conjugation pathway. Patients suffering from xenobiotic overloads and environmental toxicity may not have sufficient glycine reserves for the metabolic load. Benzoate is present in many food substances and is widely used as a food preservative. It has been employed in studies of glycination, but one of the difficulties in assessing benzoate conjugation is the presence of endogenous levels of benzoate from food and gut sources.18 Aspirin is readily degraded into salicyclic acid and is potentially a better indicator molecule. Although salicylate is conjugated with glycine, similar to benzoate, it also is converted to glucuronide derivatives and three oxidized derivatives. The slower glucuronidation pathway relative to glycine conjugation makes aspirin a more sensitive challenge to the glycine conjugation capability, while the oxidized derivatives allow unique insights into free radical status.19 Sulfate conjugation Neurotransmitters, steroid hormones, certain drugs, and many xenobiotic and phenolic compounds employ sulfation as their primary route of detoxification.20 Acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) is an example of a molecule detoxified primarily through the sulfation pathway. Because acetaminophen is widely available, intensely researched, and safe under most conditions, Great Smokies employs it to evaluate the sulfate conjugation pathway. Steventon identified many poor sulfoxidizers with diminished acetaminophen sulfate conjugation and reported that these individuals are most susceptible to environmental illness and problems of the nervous system, including Parkinson's disease and motor neuron disease.21,22 Acetaminophen sulfate conjugation has also been shown to be reduced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.23 Inorganic sulfate for the sulfation reactions may come directly from dietary sources or indirectly through sulfoxidation reactions (Figure 2). Significant amounts of sulfate precursors may be provided by direct absorption from ingested foods. Methionine and cysteine are probably the most important sources of inorganic sulfate in mammals.24 Glutathione is a reservoir of cysteine, so it also may be an important source of inorganic sulfate. Inorganic sulfate is activated with two ATP molecules, producing phosphoadenosyl phosphosulfate (PAPS). It is this PAPS molecule that then reacts with exotoxins to produce sulfated derivatives. The availability of free sulfate may be the rate-limiting step for these reactions. Some individuals accumulate cysteine and have low sulfate levels. In patients with neurologic disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and motor neuron defect, it appears that the enzyme responsible for sulfoxidation of cysteine to sulfate is often deficient, leading to an elevated plasma cysteine/sulfate ratio.25 The clinical significance of this is profound. Most people with deficient sulfate and xenobiotic loads will benefit from cysteine and glutathione supplementation. Individuals with elevated plasma cysteine/sulfate ratios, however, may worsen with cysteine supplementation and require inorganic sulfate as a supplement, in order to bypass this sulfoxidation step. Molybdenum is a cofactor for sulfite oxidase, one of the enzymes involved in sulfoxidation. Studies indicate that insufficient molybdenum may be a rate-limiting nutrient for this reaction, and supplementation may be indicated. On the other hand, molybdenum, at high levels, can compete with sulfate in its activation step to PAPS as well as for carrier mediated renal tubular reabsorption, thus lowering sulfate levels and impairing sulfation capability. Molybdenum status is therefore important in the assessment of poor sulfation capability.26 It is worth noting that standard treatments for acetaminophen overdose are cysteine or the glutathione precursor, N-acetylcysteine (NAC).27 These compounds, therefore, are likely candidates for nutritional supplementation.28 Glucuronidation Because of the ready availability of UDP-glucuronate in vivo, glucuronidation is considered an important detoxification mechanism when sulfation or glycination is diminished or saturated.29 For most individuals, glucuronidation is a supplemental pathway. The kinetics of glucuronidation cause it to be a secondary, slower process than sulfation or glycination. Glucuronidation appears to be enhanced in obese patients, with the capacity for glucuronidation related almost linearly to total body weight.30 Thus, obese people have enhanced capacity for detoxification of molecules that utilize this pathway. As free radical stress can lead to damage of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation mechanism, it is reasonable to hypothesize that people suffering from oxidative stress may have diminished capacity for Phase II glucuronide conjugation. An interesting example of decreased glucuronidation occurs in subjects with Gilbert's syndrome. It is caused by diminished bilirubin glucuronosyl transferase activity, leading to accumulation of bilirubin in vivo.29 Detoxification-intestinal permeability relationship The intestinal mucosa is the primary barrier to permeation of toxic compounds and macromolecules. Abnormalities of the intestinal barrier system as detected by intestinal permeability assessment may lead to enhanced uptake of inflammatory luminal macromolecules, endotoxins and xenobiotics. Impairment of intestinal integrity dramatically increases mucosal absorption of substances that are normally excluded. These foreign chemicals are presented to the liver's detoxifying system for processing and elimination. They can stress the detoxification capability of the liver or be partially processed and accumulate in the liver and adipose tissue. It has been speculated that the combination of leaky gut and dysfunctional liver detoxification can lead to increased tissue stores of toxic compounds and depressed immune status. Using the Detoxification Profile In the Detoxification Profile, one caffeine caplet (200 mg) is taken in the morning and its clearance is assessed from two salivary specimens collected two and eight hours after ingestion. Aspirin and acetaminophen are ingested in the evening and the products of detoxifying reactions are assessed in a 10-hour overnight urine specimen. The challenge dose consists of two capsules of aspirin (650 mg total) and two capsules of acetaminophen (650 mg total). The only side effect is potential drowsiness. In the Comprehensive version of this profile, the urine specimen is analyzed for levels of lipid peroxides. In addition, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, plasma cysteine, and plasma sulfate are assessed from fasting blood specimens. Interpreting the Detoxification Profile Interpreting the Detoxification Profile For more detailed information, refer to our Detoxification Profile Interpretive Guidelines. Low caffeine clearance (Phase I): Indicates slow P-450 enzyme activity and metabolic detoxification difficulty; may also reflect use of medications such as amphetamines, cimetidine, and oral contraceptives. High caffeine clearance (Phase I): Reflects excessive P-450 enzyme induction, possibly due to toxin exposure; also implies greater production of free radicals. Low acetaminophen mercapturate, salicyluric acid, acetaminophen sulfate or acetaminophen glucuronide (Phase II): Indicate inadequate Phase II conjugation reactions. Low levels may reflect depletion of the particular amino acids or nutrient cofactors used in the reactions, or diminished enzymatic capacity for conjugation. Elevated Phase I/Phase II ratios: May reflect elevated (induced) Phase I processes or diminished Phase II conjugation reactions. The ratio of Phase I to Phase II detoxification processes is important in determining the toxicity of certain drugs, and these ratios may be significant indicators of the balance of biological processes. The following markers are included in the comprehensive version of the Detoxification Profile. For more detailed information on the oxidative stress markers, refer to our Oxidative Stress Interpretive Guidelines. Elevated plasma cysteine/sulfate ratio: Suggests possible impairment of the sulfoxidation reaction that converts cysteine to the inorganic sulfate required for sulfation. Elevated ratios have been noted in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and motor neuron disease. Elevated plasma cysteine: Indicates sulfoxidation impairment, other blocks in cysteine metabolism, excess intake of cysteine and related molecules, or excessive catabolism. Checking the levels of plasma sulfate and glutathione provides further information. Depressed plasma sulfate: Suggests sulfoxidation impairment, especially when plasma cysteine is elevated. Organic sulfate precursors such as L-cysteine, N-acetyl cysteine, or glutathione may be contraindicated in these cases. Low reduced glutathione: Suggests low amount of glutathione available for removal of toxic intermediates, generation of cysteine and sulfate reserves, and antioxidant activity. Low glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px): Implies inadequate defense against accumulation of oxidized lipids in cell membranes. Low levels are found in conditions such as Down's syndrome, Alzheimer's dementia, and beta-thalassemia minor and may indicate insufficient nutrient cofactors. High/low superoxide dismutase (SOD): Decreased in conditions associated with inflammation, impaired glucose metabolism, and zinc deficiency. High levels occur in systemic sclerosis, myositis and malignant melanoma, and may also indicate exposure to agricultural pesticides. Elevated Urine Lipid Peroxides: Suggest increased cellular lipid peroxidation and the need for antioxidant protection of body lipids. High Hydroxyl Radicals: Indicate the potential for oxidative damage, such as that occurring in the pathogenesis of diabetes and other illnesses. May also reflect the presence of an inflammatory process. Substances which may induce P-450 enzymes • Acetate • Alcohol • Barbiturates • Carbon Tetrachloride • Charcoal-broiled meats • Dioxin • Exhaust fumes • High protein diets • Niacin • Oranges • Organophosphorus pesticides • Paint fumes • Riboflavin • Sassafras • Saturated fats • Steroid hormones • Sulfonamides • Tangerines Frequently Asked Questions Toxic Waste in Your Body? Chronic health problems can develop from your body's impaired detoxification ability. Uncover the link between your symptoms and your liver function. What role does the liver play in detoxification? The liver is a key organ in your body's self-defense system. It changes, or detoxifies, many harmful substances into forms which your body can safely eliminate. How do these toxins get into the body? In today's world of processed foods and pollution, toxic substances exist almost everywhere. They are in the food you eat, the water you drink (from fertilizers, chemicals and other additives such as colorings and preservatives), and the air you breathe (from automobile emissions, pesticides and industrial pollutants). Some of the body's own compounds must be detoxified as well. How does the liver detoxify substances? A healthy liver uses two mechanisms, called Phase I and Phase II detoxification, to remove toxins. In Phase I, your body's enzymes activate toxic substances to make them more accessible to Phase II. In Phase II, other enzymes convert toxins to more water-soluble forms, which your body eliminates through urine or stool. What happens during impaired liver detoxification? An unhealthy liver does not detoxify substances as rapidly or as completely as a healthy liver. Slower detoxification results in more toxic substances circulating in the body. Unchanged or partially changed toxins are not easily eliminated and instead pass from the liver into the body. Eventually, the toxins are stored in fatty body tissue, including the brain and central nervous system cells. Stored toxins may be slowly released into the blood, contributing to many chronic illnesses. How is liver function damaged? A number of conditions affect how well the liver performs its detoxifying duties. Repeated exposure to chemicals and toxins in food, water and the environment increases the detoxification burden. If you have a " leaky gut, " your intestine allows large, undigested molecules to pass into the body. Increased amounts of toxic substances can travel through the liver and overload its capacity to detoxify them. Musiclear wrote: The liver is responsible for taking potentially harmful compounds and breaking them down into less harmful compounds. It will allow some to reenter the blood, others to be expelled through bile and in some situations, the liver will store them in fat. This is part of the normal process of the liver. Bile flow is an important aspect of the " detox " process otherwise, the liver has trouble getting rid of the compounds and is forced to either allow them back to the blood or store them in fat. If a person has had liver Qi stag, it is my belief that the liver will be holding on to more toxins than if the Qi was moving freely. If a person improves bile and Qi flow or biochemistry, then the liver is more able to resume the job of getting rid of toxins. If there has been an abundance of toxin stored, there may be a lot of toxins dumped into bile or blood which could give a person symptoms that many would call a " Healing Crisis " . IMHO, Chris In a message dated 8/11/2004 3:16:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time, writes: I ran across this post. I hate to be a jerk but what do others think a liver detox is? I'm not coming down on Chris, it's just I hear this all the time and i realized I don't know what it means. doug > Methylation is a key process in helping the liver detox, so given Sam-e > adds some key ingredients to the methylation cycle, it could improve liver > detox function if it has been over worked with toxins and the methylation cycle > has been diminished. > > IMHO, > > Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2004 Report Share Posted August 11, 2004 Oops, I meant Brian, not Chris. Thank you! Brian Hardy <mischievous00 wrote: The following information was taken from http://gsdl.com/, this is one of several labs that I use in my practice depending on the tests that I order. For food sensitivites I use: http://alcat.com/ For hormone testing I use: www.Diagnos-Techs.com For amino acids and fatty acids I use: http://www.metametrix.com/default.asp For hair analysis looking at heavy metal content I use: http://www.doctorsdata.com/ I always use the standard blood tests which I order through Lab Corp, although they do not tell you how the liver detox pathways are functioning. The normal blood tests will tell you if the liver is inflammed such as in hepatitis Here are a few of the standard blood tests for the liver: GGPT, sometimes listed as GGT is one of the first enzymes to be elevated in the serum during liver dysfunction. The elevations persist as long as hepatic cellular damage continues. It is generally a more sensitive indicator if liver/biliary disease than Alkaline Phosphatase and in certain conditions, SGOT. However, elevated bilirubin in the urine will be evident long before serum GGPT, SGOT or Alkaline Phosphatase become elevated in the serum. Plasma GGPT is also elevated in severe alcoholism and seems to correlate well with alcohol intake. Six or more alcoholic drinks per day can result in dramatic serum elevations that return to normal quickly after alcohol ingestion is completely stopped. SGOT, also known as AST, is an enzyme found in the cytoplasm of liver, kidney, myocardial, and skeletal muscle cells in high activity; lesser activities are present in many organs. Out of all the transaminases (enzymes) only AST and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) have serum activities that correlate with disease processes in organs like liver, skeletal muscle and heart. Following any injury to these organs, concentrations of AST begin to increase within 10 hours, reaching a peak level in 30 hours. Depending on the extent of the injury, AST generally returns to normal homeostatic levels with 4-6 days. AST also acts as a catalyst in amino acid metabolism. I am sure this will answer your questions regading liver detox. There are other sources that I could reccommend that may be easier to understand if this is new to any of you. Brian N Hardy, DC, LAc, CCN WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF IMPAIRED DETOXIFICATION? Toxic exposure results in free radical production which can be damaging to the body as antioxidants are depleted. This can result in disorders such as arteriosclerosis, allergies, inflammatory joint disease, neurological diseases, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. An increased exposure to toxins can deplete glutathione, sulfate, and other critical nutrients used in detoxification. The resulting accumulation of toxic intermediate metabolites can contribute to chronic fatigue, environmental sensitivities, or other chronic illnesses. One of the body's primary self-defense mechanisms is the conversion and neutralization of metabolic products and toxins into soluble and safe by-products which can then be eliminated. Many challenges to this system - a leaky gut, repeated exposure to food-borne toxic chemicals, environmental pollutants, bacterial endotoxins, and other substances - can increase the detoxification burden. This overload can lead to greater production of free radicals and damage to many body systems. Assessing multiple path-ways with challenge substances provides clinical information about individuals with imbalanced detoxification. The innovative Detoxification Profile assesses the body's capacity to carry out detoxification through functional challenges-caffeine, acetaminophen, and salicylate-which evaluate specific aspects of the detoxification process and free radical damage. These functional assessments provide a comprehensive profile of the body's detoxification capacity and potential susceptibility to oxidative damage Clinical relationships Long term exposure to environmental pollutants and continued affronts to the detoxifying systems may lead to oxidative stress, high levels of P-450 activity, and reduced capacity for Phase II conjugation reactions. This can result in accumulation of the toxic compounds, damage to essential fatty acids, impairment of oxidative phosphorylation, and reduced energy production. Patients suffering from toxic burdens may experience a wide range of symptoms, among them fatigue and poor tolerance for exercise. These processes have been postulated to be a central factor in the development of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). A recent study reported that many CFS patients had disordered liver detoxification ability and showed signs of increased toxic exposure.1 Buist suggests that CFS may be a result of xenobiotic or toxin exposure.2 Bland recently reported the relationship between impaired detoxification capability, mitochondrial dysfunction and chronic fatigue. His results suggest that oxidative damage to mitochondria and the detoxification process itself is a fundamental mechanism in the development of CFS.3 Detoxification processes All ingested and microbially-produced toxins are presented to the first-pass clearance system. First-pass clearance involves the biotransformation and clearance of a chemical from the body before it reaches the systemic circulation. This clearance may take place in several organ tissues including the intestinal mucosal wall and the liver. The liver is the body's primary detoxifying organ. Here, detoxification is carried out in two related processes known as Phase I and Phase II. Phase I serves to biotransform substances through oxidation, reduction or hydrolysis, using the cytochrome P450 mixed-function oxidase enzymes. This process increases the solubility of molecules and prepares them for Phase II reactions which will further increase their solubility.4-8 The Phase I reactions are necessary for detoxification, but the resulting production of reactive oxygen species can at times be very damaging. Thus, the liver needs to be able to generate oxidation capacity when needed, yet at the same time generate no more than what is needed. Perhaps this is why Phase I systems are inducible by different compounds. In Phase II, conjugation reactions add a polar hydrophilic molecule to the metabolite or toxin, converting lipophilic substances to water-soluble forms for excretion and elimination. Phase II reactions may follow Phase I for some molecules or act directly on the toxin or metabolite. Major Phase II pathways include glutathione, sulfate, glycine, and glucuronide conjugations.9 Individual xenobiotics and metabolites usually follow one or two distinct pathways. While the modification of Phase I and II enzyme activities has its basis in the research setting, there is growing appreciation of the clinical applications of such strategies. Although exhaustive clinical studies have yet to be performed, we have the biochemical and logical basis upon which to recommend interventions in order to help patients with evidence of chemical sensitivity or high exposures to toxic compounds.10-12 It should be noted, however, that nutritional modification of the P-450 and/or conjugation pathways has strong potential to change drug metabolism. Due to this potential metabolic impact, practitioners should use caution and awareness when recommending such strategies in patients taking prescription medications.13 Assessment of the metabolic status of these major detoxification processes assists with our understanding of the body's capacity to detoxify foreign substances. (See Figure 1)4-8 P-450 Phase I oxidation The family of P-450 enzyme systems is quite diverse, with specific enzyme systems being inducible by particular drugs or metabolites.9 Caffeine is a substance capable of testing a number of P-450 systems simultaneously.14 Measurement of salivary caffeine clearance provides a noninvasive procedure for quantifying hepatic microsomal function, as caffeine is almost completely absorbed by the intestine and is metabolized in the liver by P-450 enzymes.15 Levels are affected only slightly by the presence of liver disease, although they are substantially reduced in cirrhotic patients.15,16 P-450 activity and caffeine clearance is reported to be upregulated by smoking.16,17 A variety of drugs and xenobiotics are oxidized by the P-450 system (Table 1). Thus, this system plays a crucial role in the detoxification and removal of many potentially toxic substances. Phase II pathways Salicylates and benzoate are detoxified primarily through glycination. Many other substances are detoxified as well via the glycine conjugation pathway. Patients suffering from xenobiotic overloads and environmental toxicity may not have sufficient glycine reserves for the metabolic load. Benzoate is present in many food substances and is widely used as a food preservative. It has been employed in studies of glycination, but one of the difficulties in assessing benzoate conjugation is the presence of endogenous levels of benzoate from food and gut sources.18 Aspirin is readily degraded into salicyclic acid and is potentially a better indicator molecule. Although salicylate is conjugated with glycine, similar to benzoate, it also is converted to glucuronide derivatives and three oxidized derivatives. The slower glucuronidation pathway relative to glycine conjugation makes aspirin a more sensitive challenge to the glycine conjugation capability, while the oxidized derivatives allow unique insights into free radical status.19 Sulfate conjugation Neurotransmitters, steroid hormones, certain drugs, and many xenobiotic and phenolic compounds employ sulfation as their primary route of detoxification.20 Acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) is an example of a molecule detoxified primarily through the sulfation pathway. Because acetaminophen is widely available, intensely researched, and safe under most conditions, Great Smokies employs it to evaluate the sulfate conjugation pathway. Steventon identified many poor sulfoxidizers with diminished acetaminophen sulfate conjugation and reported that these individuals are most susceptible to environmental illness and problems of the nervous system, including Parkinson's disease and motor neuron disease.21,22 Acetaminophen sulfate conjugation has also been shown to be reduced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.23 Inorganic sulfate for the sulfation reactions may come directly from dietary sources or indirectly through sulfoxidation reactions (Figure 2). Significant amounts of sulfate precursors may be provided by direct absorption from ingested foods. Methionine and cysteine are probably the most important sources of inorganic sulfate in mammals.24 Glutathione is a reservoir of cysteine, so it also may be an important source of inorganic sulfate. Inorganic sulfate is activated with two ATP molecules, producing phosphoadenosyl phosphosulfate (PAPS). It is this PAPS molecule that then reacts with exotoxins to produce sulfated derivatives. The availability of free sulfate may be the rate-limiting step for these reactions. Some individuals accumulate cysteine and have low sulfate levels. In patients with neurologic disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and motor neuron defect, it appears that the enzyme responsible for sulfoxidation of cysteine to sulfate is often deficient, leading to an elevated plasma cysteine/sulfate ratio.25 The clinical significance of this is profound. Most people with deficient sulfate and xenobiotic loads will benefit from cysteine and glutathione supplementation. Individuals with elevated plasma cysteine/sulfate ratios, however, may worsen with cysteine supplementation and require inorganic sulfate as a supplement, in order to bypass this sulfoxidation step. Molybdenum is a cofactor for sulfite oxidase, one of the enzymes involved in sulfoxidation. Studies indicate that insufficient molybdenum may be a rate-limiting nutrient for this reaction, and supplementation may be indicated. On the other hand, molybdenum, at high levels, can compete with sulfate in its activation step to PAPS as well as for carrier mediated renal tubular reabsorption, thus lowering sulfate levels and impairing sulfation capability. Molybdenum status is therefore important in the assessment of poor sulfation capability.26 It is worth noting that standard treatments for acetaminophen overdose are cysteine or the glutathione precursor, N-acetylcysteine (NAC).27 These compounds, therefore, are likely candidates for nutritional supplementation.28 Glucuronidation Because of the ready availability of UDP-glucuronate in vivo, glucuronidation is considered an important detoxification mechanism when sulfation or glycination is diminished or saturated.29 For most individuals, glucuronidation is a supplemental pathway. The kinetics of glucuronidation cause it to be a secondary, slower process than sulfation or glycination. Glucuronidation appears to be enhanced in obese patients, with the capacity for glucuronidation related almost linearly to total body weight.30 Thus, obese people have enhanced capacity for detoxification of molecules that utilize this pathway. As free radical stress can lead to damage of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation mechanism, it is reasonable to hypothesize that people suffering from oxidative stress may have diminished capacity for Phase II glucuronide conjugation. An interesting example of decreased glucuronidation occurs in subjects with Gilbert's syndrome. It is caused by diminished bilirubin glucuronosyl transferase activity, leading to accumulation of bilirubin in vivo.29 Detoxification-intestinal permeability relationship The intestinal mucosa is the primary barrier to permeation of toxic compounds and macromolecules. Abnormalities of the intestinal barrier system as detected by intestinal permeability assessment may lead to enhanced uptake of inflammatory luminal macromolecules, endotoxins and xenobiotics. Impairment of intestinal integrity dramatically increases mucosal absorption of substances that are normally excluded. These foreign chemicals are presented to the liver's detoxifying system for processing and elimination. They can stress the detoxification capability of the liver or be partially processed and accumulate in the liver and adipose tissue. It has been speculated that the combination of leaky gut and dysfunctional liver detoxification can lead to increased tissue stores of toxic compounds and depressed immune status. Using the Detoxification Profile In the Detoxification Profile, one caffeine caplet (200 mg) is taken in the morning and its clearance is assessed from two salivary specimens collected two and eight hours after ingestion. Aspirin and acetaminophen are ingested in the evening and the products of detoxifying reactions are assessed in a 10-hour overnight urine specimen. The challenge dose consists of two capsules of aspirin (650 mg total) and two capsules of acetaminophen (650 mg total). The only side effect is potential drowsiness. In the Comprehensive version of this profile, the urine specimen is analyzed for levels of lipid peroxides. In addition, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, plasma cysteine, and plasma sulfate are assessed from fasting blood specimens. Interpreting the Detoxification Profile Interpreting the Detoxification Profile For more detailed information, refer to our Detoxification Profile Interpretive Guidelines. Low caffeine clearance (Phase I): Indicates slow P-450 enzyme activity and metabolic detoxification difficulty; may also reflect use of medications such as amphetamines, cimetidine, and oral contraceptives. High caffeine clearance (Phase I): Reflects excessive P-450 enzyme induction, possibly due to toxin exposure; also implies greater production of free radicals. Low acetaminophen mercapturate, salicyluric acid, acetaminophen sulfate or acetaminophen glucuronide (Phase II): Indicate inadequate Phase II conjugation reactions. Low levels may reflect depletion of the particular amino acids or nutrient cofactors used in the reactions, or diminished enzymatic capacity for conjugation. Elevated Phase I/Phase II ratios: May reflect elevated (induced) Phase I processes or diminished Phase II conjugation reactions. The ratio of Phase I to Phase II detoxification processes is important in determining the toxicity of certain drugs, and these ratios may be significant indicators of the balance of biological processes. The following markers are included in the comprehensive version of the Detoxification Profile. For more detailed information on the oxidative stress markers, refer to our Oxidative Stress Interpretive Guidelines. Elevated plasma cysteine/sulfate ratio: Suggests possible impairment of the sulfoxidation reaction that converts cysteine to the inorganic sulfate required for sulfation. Elevated ratios have been noted in neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and motor neuron disease. Elevated plasma cysteine: Indicates sulfoxidation impairment, other blocks in cysteine metabolism, excess intake of cysteine and related molecules, or excessive catabolism. Checking the levels of plasma sulfate and glutathione provides further information. Depressed plasma sulfate: Suggests sulfoxidation impairment, especially when plasma cysteine is elevated. Organic sulfate precursors such as L-cysteine, N-acetyl cysteine, or glutathione may be contraindicated in these cases. Low reduced glutathione: Suggests low amount of glutathione available for removal of toxic intermediates, generation of cysteine and sulfate reserves, and antioxidant activity. Low glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px): Implies inadequate defense against accumulation of oxidized lipids in cell membranes. Low levels are found in conditions such as Down's syndrome, Alzheimer's dementia, and beta-thalassemia minor and may indicate insufficient nutrient cofactors. High/low superoxide dismutase (SOD): Decreased in conditions associated with inflammation, impaired glucose metabolism, and zinc deficiency. High levels occur in systemic sclerosis, myositis and malignant melanoma, and may also indicate exposure to agricultural pesticides. Elevated Urine Lipid Peroxides: Suggest increased cellular lipid peroxidation and the need for antioxidant protection of body lipids. High Hydroxyl Radicals: Indicate the potential for oxidative damage, such as that occurring in the pathogenesis of diabetes and other illnesses. May also reflect the presence of an inflammatory process. Substances which may induce P-450 enzymes • Acetate • Alcohol • Barbiturates • Carbon Tetrachloride • Charcoal-broiled meats • Dioxin • Exhaust fumes • High protein diets • Niacin • Oranges • Organophosphorus pesticides • Paint fumes • Riboflavin • Sassafras • Saturated fats • Steroid hormones • Sulfonamides • Tangerines Frequently Asked Questions Toxic Waste in Your Body? Chronic health problems can develop from your body's impaired detoxification ability. Uncover the link between your symptoms and your liver function. What role does the liver play in detoxification? The liver is a key organ in your body's self-defense system. It changes, or detoxifies, many harmful substances into forms which your body can safely eliminate. How do these toxins get into the body? In today's world of processed foods and pollution, toxic substances exist almost everywhere. They are in the food you eat, the water you drink (from fertilizers, chemicals and other additives such as colorings and preservatives), and the air you breathe (from automobile emissions, pesticides and industrial pollutants). Some of the body's own compounds must be detoxified as well. How does the liver detoxify substances? A healthy liver uses two mechanisms, called Phase I and Phase II detoxification, to remove toxins. In Phase I, your body's enzymes activate toxic substances to make them more accessible to Phase II. In Phase II, other enzymes convert toxins to more water-soluble forms, which your body eliminates through urine or stool. What happens during impaired liver detoxification? An unhealthy liver does not detoxify substances as rapidly or as completely as a healthy liver. Slower detoxification results in more toxic substances circulating in the body. Unchanged or partially changed toxins are not easily eliminated and instead pass from the liver into the body. Eventually, the toxins are stored in fatty body tissue, including the brain and central nervous system cells. Stored toxins may be slowly released into the blood, contributing to many chronic illnesses. How is liver function damaged? A number of conditions affect how well the liver performs its detoxifying duties. Repeated exposure to chemicals and toxins in food, water and the environment increases the detoxification burden. If you have a " leaky gut, " your intestine allows large, undigested molecules to pass into the body. Increased amounts of toxic substances can travel through the liver and overload its capacity to detoxify them. Musiclear wrote: The liver is responsible for taking potentially harmful compounds and breaking them down into less harmful compounds. It will allow some to reenter the blood, others to be expelled through bile and in some situations, the liver will store them in fat. This is part of the normal process of the liver. Bile flow is an important aspect of the " detox " process otherwise, the liver has trouble getting rid of the compounds and is forced to either allow them back to the blood or store them in fat. If a person has had liver Qi stag, it is my belief that the liver will be holding on to more toxins than if the Qi was moving freely. If a person improves bile and Qi flow or biochemistry, then the liver is more able to resume the job of getting rid of toxins. If there has been an abundance of toxin stored, there may be a lot of toxins dumped into bile or blood which could give a person symptoms that many would call a " Healing Crisis " . IMHO, Chris In a message dated 8/11/2004 3:16:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time, writes: I ran across this post. I hate to be a jerk but what do others think a liver detox is? I'm not coming down on Chris, it's just I hear this all the time and i realized I don't know what it means. doug > Methylation is a key process in helping the liver detox, so given Sam-e > adds some key ingredients to the methylation cycle, it could improve liver > detox function if it has been over worked with toxins and the methylation cycle > has been diminished. > > IMHO, > > Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 Is it over the counter? ChristyDeana <squeekyme wrote: Sam-E can be bought in any food nutrition store or Walgreens. Here is a link that talks abou it.http://www.iherb.com/same3.htmlhugsDeanaChristy Wyrtzen wrote:> What is sam-E?> > Christy>Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any natural remedy. 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician and toprescribe for your own health. We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as long as they behave themselves. Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any person following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products from list members, you are agreeing to be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and members free of any liability. Dr. Ian ShillingtonDoctor of NaturopathyDr.IanShillington >^..^<ChristyYOUR VOTE YOUR VOICE!DON'T FORGET TO VOTE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 yes it is the cost varies from $19 to $30 depending on how many are in a bottle and brand. Make sure you chose Enteric coated tablets so they don't get dissolved into your stomach acid. You want them to be able to move to the intestine and be absorbed there. Hugs Deana Christy Wyrtzen wrote: > Is it over the counter? > > Christy > > */Deana <squeekyme/* wrote: > > Sam-E can be bought in any food nutrition store or Walgreens. > > Here is a link that talks abou it. > > http://www.iherb.com/same3.html > > > hugs > Deana > > > Christy Wyrtzen wrote: > > > What is sam-E? > > > > Christy > > > > > > Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: > 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. > 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any > natural remedy. > 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own > physician and to > prescribe for your own health. > We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here > as long as > they behave themselves. > Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and > any person > following the advice of any! one posting here does so at their own > risk. > It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or > products from list members, you are agreeing to > be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner > and members free of any liability. > > Dr. Ian Shillington > Doctor of Naturopathy > Dr.IanShillington > > > > > >^..^< > Christy > YOUR VOTE YOUR VOICE! > DON'T FORGET TO VOTE! > > ------ > > New and Improved Mail > <http://us.rd./mail_us/taglines/100/*http://promotions./new_ma\ il/static/efficiency.html> > - 100MB free storage! > > Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: > 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. > 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any > natural remedy. > 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician > and to > prescribe for your own health. > We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as > long as > they behave themselves. > Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any > person > following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. > It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products > from list members, you are agreeing to > be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and > members free of any liability. > > Dr. Ian Shillington > Doctor of Naturopathy > Dr.IanShillington > > > * Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 Wow, I learn something new every day! What is the difference in the results when the supplement is absorbed through the intestine, instead of the stomach? Tammi - Deana herbal remedies Monday, September 13, 2004 7:34 AM Re: Herbal Remedies - Sam-e yes it is the cost varies from $19 to $30 depending on how many are in a bottle and brand. Make sure you chose Enteric coated tablets so they don't get dissolved into your stomach acid. You want them to be able to move to the intestine and be absorbed there.HugsDeanaChristy Wyrtzen wrote:> Is it over the counter?> > Christy>> */Deana <squeekyme/* wrote:>> Sam-E can be bought in any food nutrition store or Walgreens.>> Here is a link that talks abou it.>> http://www.iherb.com/same3.html>>> hugs> Deana>>> Christy Wyrtzen wrote:>> > What is sam-E?> > > > Christy> >>>>> Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: > 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire.> 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any> natural remedy. > 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own> physician and to> prescribe for your own health. > We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here> as long as> they behave themselves. > Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and> any person> following the advice of any! one posting here does so at their own> risk.> It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or> products from list members, you are agreeing to> be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner> and members free of any liability.>> Dr. Ian Shillington> Doctor of Naturopathy> Dr.IanShillington>>>> >^..^<> Christy> YOUR VOTE YOUR VOICE!> DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!>> ------> > New and Improved Mail > <http://us.rd./mail_us/taglines/100/*/static/efficiency.html> > - 100MB free storage!>> Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: > 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire.> 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any > natural remedy. > 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician > and to> prescribe for your own health. > We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as > long as> they behave themselves. > Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any > person> following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk.> It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products > from list members, you are agreeing to> be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and > members free of any liability.>> Dr. Ian Shillington> Doctor of Naturopathy> Dr.IanShillington>> * Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 Sam-e is an amino acid that is used for depression and chronic pain. It is considered a drug in Europe. There are many variations of Sam-e and all have to do with the products sensitivity to stomach acid and to light. Sam-e is destroyed by either. Sam-e must be processed in the dark to avoid the problem with light. The best forms of Sam-e come in opaque blister packs. I would stay away from any Sam-e that is in a bottle. James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 14, 2004 Report Share Posted September 14, 2004 Sam-E from http://www.vitamin.com/ProductDatabase/prd_prod.asp?productid=71 Nature Made wich is sold at Walgreens comes in Blister Packs. Hugs Deana bigmuddie2001 wrote: > Sam-e is an amino acid that is used for depression and chronic pain. > It is considered a drug in Europe. > > There are many variations of Sam-e and all have to do with the > products sensitivity to stomach acid and to light. Sam-e is > destroyed by either. Sam-e must be processed in the dark to avoid > the problem with light. The best forms of Sam-e come in opaque > blister packs. I would stay away from any Sam-e that is in a bottle. > > James > > > > > Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: > 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. > 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any > natural remedy. > 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own physician > and to > prescribe for your own health. > We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as > long as > they behave themselves. > Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and any > person > following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own risk. > It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or products > from list members, you are agreeing to > be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List Owner and > members free of any liability. > > Dr. Ian Shillington > Doctor of Naturopathy > Dr.IanShillington > > > * Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 15, 2004 Report Share Posted September 15, 2004 All you need to know about Sam-E taken from http://www.wholehealthmd.com/print/view/1,1560,AR_27,00.html Shopping for SAMe: Costly, and It's Not All the Same Printer Friendly Version Close Window <http://www.wholehealthmd.com/print/view/1,1560,AR_27,00.html> To print this page, please select File/Print from your browser's menu. The supplement SAMe has quickly become one of the best-selling dietary supplements in this country, a popular remedy for depression and arthritis. Unfortunately, it is very expensive--ranging from around $1 to $2 per 200 mg pill. Here are some tips to get the most for your money. * Look for " pure " SAMe. You can't always tell from the label how much SAMe a product contains. Some brands are heavily diluted with fillers or herbal extras. Look for " pharmaceutical grade " products that are at least 96% pure. * Buy enteric-coated tablets. " Without this coating, " says Dr. Richard Brown of Columbia University, " SAMe won't get released at the right place in the intestines for best absorption. " The coating also protects them against air, prolonging shelf life. * Check the chemical form. Some experts suggest brands such as GNC and Nature Made that contain a newer, more stable form of SAMe called " 1,4-butanedisulfonate. " But many reliable products containing " tosylate, " an older form of SAMe, are also on the market. * Try imports. Dr. Sol Grazi of the University of Colorado notes that because SAMe is a prescription supplement in many European countries, it tends to undergo fairly rigorous testing. The bottom line: Stick with trusted brands. Experts caution that the raw material needed to make SAMe is highly reactive, and that poorly made products may be worthless. Here are six brands that meet our experts' criteria in terms of purity, enteric coating, foreign testing, and manufacturer reliability. There are other reliable brands. If you need more information on another brand, call the manufacturer. Brand Cost (400 mg) Allergy Research Group $4.50 DaVinci $3.35 GNC $2.66 Life Extension Foundation $2.50 Nature Made $1.90 Solgar $4.06 *For More Information* See our healing paths on depression <http://www.wholehealthmd.com/hc/resourceareas_view/1,1438,453,00.html> and arthritis <http://www.wholehealthmd.com/hc/resourceareas_view/1,1438,432,00.html>, and our feature article " The SAMe Solution. " <http://www.wholehealthmd.com/news/viewarticle/0,1513,24,00.html> tammi wrote: > Wow, I learn something new every day! What is the difference in the > results when the supplement is absorbed through the intestine, instead > of the stomach? > > Tammi > > > - > ** Deana <squeekyme > *To:* herbal remedies > <herbal remedies > > *Sent:* Monday, September 13, 2004 7:34 AM > *Subject:* Re: Herbal Remedies - Sam-e > > yes it is the cost varies from $19 to $30 depending on how many > are in a > bottle and brand. Make sure you chose Enteric coated tablets so they > don't get dissolved into your stomach acid. You want them to be > able to > move to the intestine and be absorbed there. > > Hugs > Deana > > Christy Wyrtzen wrote: > > > Is it over the counter? > > > > Christy > > > > */Deana <squeekyme/* wrote: > > > > Sam-E can be bought in any food nutrition store or Walgreens. > > > > Here is a link that talks abou it. > > > > http://www.iherb.com/same3.html > > > > > > hugs > > Deana > > > > > > Christy Wyrtzen wrote: > > > > > What is sam-E? > > > > > > Christy > > > > > > > > > > > Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: > > 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. > > 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any > > natural remedy. > > 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own > > physician and to > > prescribe for your own health. > > We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here > > as long as > > they behave themselves. > > Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and > > any person > > following the advice of any! one posting here does so at > their own > > risk. > > It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or > > products from list members, you are agreeing to > > be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List > Owner > > and members free of any liability. > > > > Dr. Ian Shillington > > Doctor of Naturopathy > > Dr.IanShillington > > > > > > > > > > >^..^< > > Christy > > YOUR VOTE YOUR VOICE! > > DON'T FORGET TO VOTE! > > > > > ------ > > > > New and Improved Mail > > > <http://us.rd./mail_us/taglines/100/*http://promotions./new_ma\ il/static/efficiency.html> > > > - 100MB free storage! > > > > Federal Law requires that we warn you of the following: > > 1. Natural methods can sometimes backfire. > > 2. If you are pregnant, consult your physician before using any > > natural remedy. > > 3. The Constitution guarantees you the right to be your own > physician > > and to > > prescribe for your own health. > > We are not medical doctors although MDs are welcome to post here as > > long as > > they behave themselves. > > Any opinions put forth by the list members are exactly that, and > any > > person > > following the advice of anyone posting here does so at their own > risk. > > It is up to you to educate yourself. By accepting advice or > products > > from list members, you are agreeing to > > be fully responsible for your own health, and hold the List > Owner and > > members free of any liability. > > > > Dr. Ian Shillington > > Doctor of Naturopathy > > Dr.IanShillington > > > > > > * Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2006 Report Share Posted April 26, 2006 http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525,818,00.html Everything you need to know about SAM-e. Vance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2006 Report Share Posted April 26, 2006 Hello All, I am wondering if anyone can tell me the benefits of SAM-E and disorders it would be useful for? Thanks, Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2006 Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 Hi Trish, SAM-e is used for the liver and pituitary. It is commonly used for Addictions, Blood Poisoning, Cartilage Damage, Low Cholesterol, Cirrhosis of the Liver, Defensiveness, Depression, Dysmenorrhea, Lack of Energy, Hepatitis, Irritability, Joint Pain or Damage, General Liver Problems, Mood Swings, Detoxification from Pesticides. For best results, you should take SAM-e with folic acid and Vitamin B12. Contraindications are: If you are taking prescription antidepressants or have bipolar (manic) depression or are pregnant or lactating, you should check with your doctor before using it. Blessings, Michelle Newport, CH Nature For Life " Better Health Through Better Living " http://www.natureforlife.com On Wed, 2006-04-26 at 10:36 +0000, trishaonthebeach wrote: Hello All, I am wondering if anyone can tell me the benefits of SAM-E and disorders it would be useful for? Thanks, Trish ********************************************* Peacefulmind.com Sponsors Alternative Answers- HEALING NATURALLY- Learn preventative and curative measure to take for many ailments at: http://www.peacefulmind.com/ailments.htm __________ -To INVITE A FRIEND to our healing community, copy and paste this address in an email to them: http://health./subs_invite _________ To ADD A LINK, RESOURCE, OR WEBSITE to Alternative Answers please Go to: http://health./links ___________ Post message: Subscribe: - Un: - List owner: -owner _______ Shortcut URL to this page: http://health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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