LOVE YOUR LIVER 5 Phase II: Once toxins have been broken down into more benign compounds, they are then excreted out of the body during Phase II. Known as the conjugation pathway, the oxidized chemicals from Phase I are combined with sulfur-containing amino acids such as taurine or cysteine. This turns drugs, hormones, and various toxins into substances that can be excreted in bile. The nutrients glycine, glutamine, choline, and inositol are also required for efficient Phase II detoxification. But this phase of liver detoxification can be put into jeopardy by nutritional deficiencies, toxic exposures, alcohol consumption, and a low-protein intake that depletes glutathione, a nutrient that’s essential to detoxification. This two-step process works well to remove many of the toxins we encounter every day. But the unprecedented volume of industrial compounds, environmental pollutants, and chemical byproducts we are exposed to can quickly overwhelm the body’s natural detoxification system. This can cause a build-up of Phase I metabolites—and that can result in an increase of even more toxic compounds that can be reabsorbed into the body. Supporting both Phase I and Phase II detoxification pathways with a healthy lifestyle and liver-supporting dietary supplements can increase the body’s ability to eliminate the contaminants we are exposed to every day. Clean Up Your Act While we can’t eliminate the hundreds of harmful chemicals we’re subjected to on a daily basis, we can take steps to minimize our exposure. The first step to reducing our toxic load is to avoid air-borne toxins like second-hand cigarette smoke, gasoline fumes, paints, glues, household cleaners, nail polish, and perfumes. It’s also important to reduce your exposure to the dubious toxins found in food. Opting for organic food helps reduce the amount of preservatives, 14 Signs of a Compromised Liver Certain lifestyle choices like a history of hepatitis or heavy alcohol use, or even long-term prescription drug use, can undermine the liver’s abilty to process contaminants. An imbalance in the primary detoxification pathways can also result in an increase of even more toxic intermediates. Over time, this can manifest in a variety of symptoms, including: • Abdominal bloating • Abdominal weight gain • Chemical sensitivites to things like tobacco smoke, perfume, or cleaning products • Pain over the liver or between the shoulder blades • A bitter taste in the mouth • Intolerance to greasy foods • Oily or shiny stools • Light or pale colored stools • Constipation • Heartburn • Frequent nausea • Headache over the eyes • Easily hung over • Gallbladder issues LOVE YOUR LIVER 5