Sulfation

A Phase Two Liver Biotransformation Pathway

Fat-soluble chemicals from environmental exposure are not easily eliminated from the body until they are water-soluble. The liver biotransforms these fatty compounds to water-soluble waste that can then be removed by the eliminatory channels: the lungs, the colon, the kidneys and the skin.

Biotransformation occurs in two enzymatic steps. In Phase One, fatty chemicals are partially digested, which makes them temporarily more damaging. We refer to these compounds as toxic intermediates or free radicals. In Phase Two of liver biotransformation, toxic intermediates are restructured to produce water-soluble waste. The eliminatory channels then easily excrete these converted compounds.

            The diagram below shows the important nutrient co-factors that support this process.

Sulfation

Sulfation is one of the six Phase Two pathways. The goal in detox is to always have your Phase Two pathways moving smoothly to avoid a build-up of free radicals. Here are some tips to support sulfation.

1.      Eat plenty of sulfur-containing vegetables such as mustard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, cabbage, turnip, onions, leeks, scallions, and garlic.

2.     If you are carnivorous, eat eggs, meats, and dairy for the amino acids cysteine and methionine, which are rich in sulfur.

3.    Take an Epson salt bath to absorb magnesium sulfate.

4.    Supplement sulfur if needed with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), glutathione, methylsulfonyl-methane (MSM) and alpha-lipoic acid (ALP).

Note: one important chemical that is bio-transformed by sulfation is bisphenol A (BPA). This very common chemical is a plasticizer that makes plastic hard and is used in many plastic containers, store receipts, the lining of cans for canned foods, some dental floss and other dental materials, to name a few sources.

BPA is an endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen and can cause infertility in men and women, menstrual disorders such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and induce breast and prostate cancer. BPA is also an obesogen causing abdominal weight gain and obesity, and a diabetogenic increasing the risk of diabetes.