The body’s detoxification takes place in the liver in two phases that work together to render harmful substances such as toxins, medications or metabolic waste products harmless and remove them from the body.
Phase 1: Preparation of toxins In the first phase, harmful substances are chemically modified by special enzymes, particularly the so-called cytochrome P450 enzymes. This often produces more reactive and sometimes even more toxic intermediate products. This phase prepares the substances to be finally neutralised in the second phase.
Phase 2: Neutralisation and excretion In the second phase, the reactive substances from Phase 1 are rendered harmless through so-called conjugation. This means that the body combines them with other molecules such as glutathione, sulphate or glucuronic acid. This makes the substances water-soluble so that they can be excreted in the urine or stool.
Although Phase 1 prepares the substances for detoxification, it can also make them more dangerous if Phase 2 does not function properly. It is therefore important that both phases work well together. If Phase 1 works too quickly but Phase 2 cannot keep up, toxic intermediate products can be produced that place a burden on the body.
Inefficient Phase 2 activity can mean that the body does not completely excrete toxins, which can lead to chronic inflammation or oxidative stress.
The efficiency of Phase 1 and Phase 2 is determined in part by genetic factors. Some people have genetic variants that influence the activity of detoxification enzymes, either accelerating or slowing it down. A DNA Detox Test can help identify these genetic differences.