Liver lovin’ - Supplements that support detoxification

Detoxification is a buzz word isn’t it? But have you ever stopped to ask what is it, how does it help the body and how can we support it?

Did you know that not only does the liver carry out more than 500 essential tasks in the body, it’s also the only organ in the body with the ability to regenerate itself[1]? How amazing is the liver! While the liver has many roles, one of the most important is its role in healthy digestion, detoxification and helping with the process of breaking down food and converting it into energy.

Detoxification is a crucial process in the body that helps eliminate toxins both produced in the body and consumed such inhaled pollutants, medications, household chemicals, food additives and preservatives and hormones (oestrogen, cortisol). This occurs in 2 phases known as phase 1 and 2 detoxification.

Phase 1 (transformation)

Phase 1 involves converting fat-soluble substances like environmental toxins, hormones, medications and metabolic by-products into intermediate metabolites. This is done through processes like oxidation, reduction and hydrolysis reactions mostly carried out by an important enzyme family known as the cytochrome P450 enzyme family. Ultimately, these reactions make substances more chemically reactive so they can enter phase 2.

Phase 2 (conjugation)

In phase 2, the metabolites from phase 1 are neutralised and made water-soluble so the body can safely excrete them via bile (bowels) or urine. This phase uses several key conjugation pathways, including:

• Glucuronidation
• Sulfation
• Glutathione conjugation
• Acetylation
• Methylation
• Amino acid conjugation

Foods that support Phase 2 include sulfur-containing foods like cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage), garlic and onions, amino acids (protein), B vitamin rich foods (meat, wholegrains) and antioxidants like glutathione that can be sourced from asparagus or broccoli .

Detox vs. daily care: what’s the difference?

Let’s clarify one thing first, real detoxification is a passive process, meaning it happens all day every day within the liver, without the need to be triggered. So, supplements simply support this, they do not 'flush out toxins'.

Food as medicine

The secret ingredient hiding in your fridge crisper is actually a superstar support for your liver: Broccoli. This liver hero is a cruciferous vegetable and supports liver health but specifically phase 2 liver detoxification, which is important as this ensures toxic or active metabolites from phase 1 are swiftly removed from the body. To get the most out of your broccoli, it is best consumed as sprouts or as fresh florets, and when added to salads, or tossed into a stir fry before serving. Bitter foods such as dandelion greens, rocket or beetroot leaves can also help to assist liver function by supporting bile flow from the liver and the gallbladder, essential for optimal digestion.

The essentiality of your liver cannot be underestimated; it is one of the most multitasking organs in the body and deserves a bit of love and care. At various times, increased demands placed on the liver and gallbladder can leave behind a feeling of sluggishness and with more digestive discomfort than we’d like.

In these circumstances, St Mary’s thistle can be useful for supporting liver health while at the same time maintaining healthy digestion. Herbs of Gold St Mary’s Thistle 35 000 contains a standardised extract of St Mary’s thistle to support healthy liver function. St Mary’s thistle is also beneficial for supporting healthy digestion, having been used traditionally in Western herbal medicine (WHM) to relieve digestive discomfort and symptoms of indigestion, including flatulence, abdominal bloating and feelings of fullness.