Herbal Remedies To Nourish Your Body Through Menopause

“Detox” is all over the internet with a thousand different definitions and a thousand different people telling you what to do. Detox is not just a simple process, though. Here’s how we define the three stages of metabolic detoxification and our reasons to consider a longer, more focused detox with proper nutritional support versus a simple cleanse. What is Detoxing? Detoxing is your body’s natural process of identifying, binding, and ridding the body of toxins we’re exposed to on a regular basis. Our detoxification philosophy here at Standard Process includes either a 28-day or 10-day approach with full nutritional support targeted to the three phases of detox: bioactivation, conjugation, and transport (elimination). Needless to say, supporting your body’s natural process of detoxification with adequate nutrition is not your Pinterest board’s three-day juice cleanse . Why Should I Detox? The human body is regularly exposed to environmental toxins – it’s just the way of modern life. Our bodies have a system in place to deal with these toxins, but we can support that process with whole food nutrient solutions known to help throughout the three stages of detox. The detox process is not as simple as some sources on the internet may have you believe; a longer, more focused detox as opposed to a short-and-simple cleanse will do a better job of eliminating toxins from the body. It’s vital that the body is supported with proper nutrition during a metabolic detox, paying especially close attention to the individual needs required during each of the three phases of detox. Three Phases of Detox Detoxification begins with bioactivation, continues with conjugation, and concludes with transport (before the process repeats itself as your body engages its natural mechanisms for detoxification). Your body’s natural detoxification process can be thought of as a “biotransformation” system that identifies, binds, and rids the body of toxins we’re exposed to regularly. Here are some simple ways to tell if you have toxins in your body. Read on for the three phases of metabolic detoxification accomplished with a nutritionally-supported, targeted detox. Bioactivation The first phase of detox is catalyzed by a handful of enzymes, primarily from the cytochrome P450 family (CYP450). In these enzymatic reactions, a reactive group is added to a toxin, generating a reactive site that can easily attach itself to other molecules. During bioactivation, toxins are transformed into reactive intermediates that need quick neutralization. Cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, Spanish black radish, and kale activate CYP450 enzymes needed during bioactivation. Antioxidant nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E, minerals like selenium, copper, zinc, and manganese, as well as coenzyme Q10 and several phytonutrients have antioxidant activity that may also support phase one of detox. 2. Conjugation During phase two, conjugation enzymes convert the reactive intermediates created during bioactivation into non-toxic, water-soluble molecules. Phase II conjugation enzymes include: -Sulfotransferases (SULT) -UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) -Glutathione S-transferases (GST) -N-acetyltransferases (NAT) Conjugation uses a lot of energy in the form of ATP and requires robust nutritional support in the form of B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, and other nutrients. Healthy sources of protein are also important for the conjugation phase of detox, specifically the amino acid glycine to help remove toxins. 3. Transport During the third and final phase of detox, neutralized toxins are transported, or eliminated, from the body. Transmembrane-spanning proteins are important for phase three transport and require energy in the form of ATP. Urinary pH (scale of acidity to basicity) may impact the elimination of toxins, and adequate water intake supports acid-base balance, which may also promote urinary toxin excretion.

The more we learn about immunology, the more we realize that practically all the patterns seen commonly in a functional medicine practice have a fundamentally immunological basis. Sam Yanuck, DC, FACFN , FIAMA + , is a renowned Functional Medicine instructor and practitioner, with a focus in immunology, and is an advocate for prioritizing immune system balance as a crucial first step for many of patients. He states “the more you learn about immunology, the more you realize how many of the patterns you see in your patients have a fundamental immunological basis. It’s essential that you have a systematic plan to address the immunological basis for these patterns and the right tools to implement the plan.” The immune system plays a central role in protecting and maintaining homeostasis in the body by distinguishing between self (your cells) and non-self (pathogens, bacteria, viruses, etc.). The robustness of this process depends on appropriate activation of T helper cell types, as well as balanced cytokine expression. The relevance of the immune system goes far beyond natural defenses. Immunology is at the root of many common clinical objectives, including: Tolerance of self-tissue Digestive health Cytokine balance Brain function, mood and cognition Joint function Glucose homeostasis Sinus and respiratory health Cardiovascular function It is important to have a plan in place to address the immunological basis of your patients’ concerns and the right tools available to implement the plan. SELF-TISSUE RESPONSE: A THREE-STEP APPROACH Each step described below supports a key aspect of the immune system and cumulatively helps promote a balanced immune response: STEP 1. PROMOTE T-HELPER CELL BALANCE T-helper cells are a class of lymphocyte that help the immune system respond appropriately to different types of threats faced by the body. They begin as naive T-cells and become, when activated, unique T-helper cell types. Which type they become depends on cytokines and other factors in their micro-environment at the time of their activation. Here is a list of different T-helper cells and their role in maintaining immune system balance: Th1 cells: Support cell-mediated immune defenses Th2 cells: Help activate eosinophils and mast cells Treg cells: Modulate the effects of other T cells Th17 cells: Respond to the extracellular microbial environment A balanced profile of T-helper cells is crucial for immune defenses and tissue homeostasis. Unfortunately, many factors commonly seen in patient cases, such as stress, diet, environment, glucose metabolism, and age, can drive an imbalance in T-helper cell types. Often, this occurs as an increase in the number and activity of Th2 cells (Th2 response) and a decrease in the number and activity of Th1 cells (Th1 response). In turn, this imbalance leads to the expansion of Th17 cells, which, through a cascade of effects, can make the patient more susceptible to developing an immune response directed at self-tissue. Supporting and maintaining a balance of less Th2 cells and more Th1 cells, will help to moderate Th17 responses to help maintain immune homoeostasis in tissues. STEP 2. MODULATE CYTOKINE ACTIVATION This step supports immune system balance by modulating the activity of NFkB, a major driver of cytokine expression. This step also supports a healthy T-cell repertoire and tissue health. But first, it is crucial to first support a balanced T-helper cell profile (Step 1). Cytokines are messenger molecules that orchestrate immune system function. NFkB is a protein complex that induces gene expression of a mixture of cytokines that initiate immune activation, which can increase self-tissue response. Persistent NFkB can decrease Th1 response, while other factors can increase Th2 response. Decreased Th1 response and increased Th2 response can increase Th17 response, which can contribute to development of a self-tissue response. The patient factors mentioned in Step 1 can drive cytokine and NFkB activation, which in turn can influence cytokine activation in the brain, and self-tissue response throughout the body. Cytokine activation also decreases Th1 response, which we learned in Step 1 will increase Th2 response and therefore drive Th17, which impacts self-tissue response. Figure 1. Step 2 of the PureResponse Self-Tissue Response Protocol STEP 3. PERSONALIZE YOUR PLAN OF CARE Functional medicine is personalized medicine, which means tailoring your plan of care with ingredients and formulas to address unique circumstances of your patient’s case. Remember, the interconnectedness of elements in the immune system is often bidirectional. In some patients, progress depends upon addressing factors you would normally think of as downstream from the mechanisms discussed in steps 1 and 2. For instance, G.I., sinus, lung, or bladder mucosal function, or mast cell activation can affect T cell polarization or cytokine activation. Therefore, modulating mast cell activation or supporting GI mucosal health can also contribute to a healthy T-helper cell profile. BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER The immune system must distinguish between self and non-self to protect and maintain homeostasis in the body. To help your patients experiencing self-tissue response, you must understand how to balance T-helper cells (Step 1) and modulate cytokine (NFkB) activation (Step 2). Keep in mind each patient is different, so personalization will be essential in supporting immune system balance and homeostasis (Step 3). Want to learn more about the products that can support self-tissue response in your patients every step of the way? Be sure to check out the complete protocol and guide, exclusive to Pure Encapsulations and developed by leading functional immunology expert Sam Yanuck. Check it out here. ‡ WORKS CITED Zhu J, Paul WE. Blood. 2008 Sep 1;112(5):1557-69. Miossec P, Korn T, Kuchroo VK. N Engl J Med. 2009 Aug 27;361(9):888-98. Barnes PJ, Karin M. N Engl J Med. 1997 Apr 10;336(15):1066-71. O’Shea JJ, Plenge R. Immunity. 2012 Apr 20;36(4):542-50. Maddur MS, Miossec P, Kaveri SV, Bayry J. Am J Pathol. 2012 Jul;181(1):8-18. Steinman L. Nat Med. 2007 Feb;13(2):139-45. Akdis M, Burgler S, Crameri R, et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011 Mar;127(3):701-21.e170 + Dr. Samuel Yanuck is a retained advisor for Pure Encapsulations®.