Saturday, February 13, 2010

Detox Plan (lack of GMST1)

I came across with an article that mentions that GSTM1 is a critical detoxifying enzyme for mercury, and I do not have this gen as you can see in the post where I mentioned my results of my genetic profile.

As you remember through my old posts, I have a problem with mercury of which I became overloaded, probably when they changed my 7 fillings in once without protection back in 2004.

The GST genes are the Glutathione-S-transferases, which provide a major pathway of protection against toxins and carcinogens, as well as reactive oxigen species, and are thought to have evolved as an adaptive response to environmental insult, thus accounting for their wide substrate specifity. There are 4 family members: A, M, T and P. Plymorphisms have been identified in each family. Individuals with polymorphisms in the GST Phase II detoxification genes have a decreased rate of detoxification, with a corresponding increase in levels of carcinogen-DNA adduct formation and also increased level of chromosomal aberrations.Cruciferous vegetables such as brocoli, and members of allium family, such as garlic and onion, have been shown to be potent inducers of these enzymes, which would be expected to increase clearance of potential toxins from the body.

GSTM1- Glutathione-S-transferase M1
Polymorphisms: Gene deletion
-Function: Conjugation of glutathione to hydrophobic compounds.
- Biochemical activity: RX+glutathione= HX+R-S-glutathione
-Structure: Homodimer
- Location: Cytoplasm of the cell, in the liver
- Population frequency: 50% Caucasian

The GSTM1 has the highest activity of the four types of GST, and is located predominately in the liver.Half of caucasian population has a complete deletion of this gene. The effects of diet on activity of the GST enzymes have been demonstrated in several studies. Brassica vegetable diet increases GSTA and GST serum activity in the GSTN1-null individuals. (broccoli, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, collard greens, pak choi and kohlrabi)



Here are some, but not all, of the factors that can contribute to your total toxic load:

- Exposure to heavy metals like mercury and lead, petrochemicals, residues, pesticides, and fertilizers.
- Internal toxins–things like bacteria, fungus, and yeast inside our gut as well as hormonal and metabolic toxins that we need to eliminate.
- Food allergies, environmental allergies, molds, and toxins from molds.
- Eating a standard American diet.
- Mental, emotional, and spiritual toxins — isolation, loneliness, anger, jealousy, and hostility, all of which translate into toxins in our system.
- Medications can sometimes be toxins. Often we need medications, but the reality is that most of us are overmedicated and use medications to treat problems for which there are better solutions, such as lifestyle and diet.


What they propose in that article in order to detox your body is the following plan:

There are five key steps to optimal detoxification:

1. Identify and Get Rid of Toxins – I listed the primary forms of toxic exposure above. Eliminating them is absolutely essential if you want to rebalance your detox system.

2. Fix Your Gut – Gut imbalances are a key source of toxins for many.

3. Get Moving – This help your blood and lymphatic circulation do its job.

4. Get Your Liver and Detox System Working – If your detoxification system isn’t working properly, this is a serious problem and needs to be addressed. A great place to start is the 10-step approach outlined below. Normal naturopathy approach to detox the liver and reduce Cholesterol levels is the following supplementation:
+ Milk Thistle (500mgr /day with the meals)
+ Artichok (with the meals)
+ Alpha Lipoic Acid (with the meals)
+ Greens Juices (as a breakfast and between meals)
+ Sports
+ Sauna

5. Detox Your Mind, Heart, and Spirit – This is just as important as detoxing your body, and it’s an area few of us ever think about as a source of toxins.



10 Simple Steps to Enhance Detoxification

1. Drink Clean – Drink plenty of clean water, at least eight to ten glasses of filtered water a day.

2. Eliminate Properly – Keep your bowels moving, at least once or twice a day. And if you can’t get going, then you need some help. This can include taking two tablespoons of ground flax seeds and taking acidophilus and extra magnesium citrate capsules. If you have any chronic diseases or problems, you have to be careful about taking supplements and should work with your doctor.

3. Eat Clean – You should also eat organic produce and animal products to eliminate the toxins, hormones, and antibiotics in your food.

4. Eat Detoxifying Food – You should eat 8 to 10 servings of colorful fruits and vegetables a day, particularly family of the cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, collards, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi) and the garlic family (garlic and onions), which help increase sulfur in the body and help detoxification.

5. Minimize Drugs – Avoid stimulants, sedatives, and drugs, such as caffeine and nicotine, and try to reduce alcohol intake.

6. Get Moving – Exercise five days a week with focus on conditioning your cardiovascular system, strengthening exercises, and stretching exercises.

7. Avoid the White Menace – This includes white flour and white sugar.

8. Sweat – Sweat profusely at least three times a week, using a sauna, steam, or a detox bath.

9. Supplement – Take a high-quality multivitamin and mineral supplement.

10. Relax – Relax deeply every day to get your nervous system in a state of calm, rest, and relaxation.

Simply following these steps will help to correct problems caused by toxicity, maximize your body’s own detoxification capacity, and help you safely eliminate toxins stores in your body.

Depending on your symptoms, genetic predispositions and environmental exposures, you may need different levels of nutrients and types of treatment, but this is an excellent way to get started on detoxification today.