Detoxification is carried out by a number of mechanisms (including the immune system) that the body uses to neutralize poisons and/or remove them from the body.

Because it is the primary means of detoxification — and certainly the largest organ involved — most people think of the liver when they think of detoxification. Yet every cell in the body contains similar detoxification systems.

Cellular detoxification involves two basic components, simply called phase I and phase II. These systems utilize a number of enzymes and complex molecules to bind, chemically alter, and eliminate toxic substances.

The phase I system (also called the mixedfunction oxidases, or MFO, system) uses enzymes to change fat-soluble poisons that are not removable from the body into water-soluble compounds that are.

Occasionally, we want to block phase I enzymes because they can convert a non-toxic compound like acetaminophen (Tylenol) into a very toxic compound.

The flavonoids in grapefruit block these enzymes and protect against Tylenol toxicity. Grapefruit can also interfere with the elimination of caffeine by inhibiting phase I, causing the stimulant to remain in the body much longer than usual.

For many cancer-causing compounds one wants to reduce phase I activity.

Phase II chemically alters or binds the toxic substance, rendering it nontoxic and easier to eliminate.

Glutathione — and one of its compounds called glutathione-Stransferase, in particular — plays a major role in detoxification.

When the body is under prolonged stress, glutathione-S-transferase is depleted. This puts all cells, tissues, and organs at great risk of damage from toxic substances and free radicals.

A number of vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) replace this lost glutathione and help the body neutralize free radicals. In addition, these nutrients are used to repair damage.

One should also take buffered vitamin C, mixed tocotrienols, mixed tocopherols, methylcobalamin, folate and pyridoxal 5-phosphate (vitamin B6) and a good general vitamin/mineral combination. It is also important to get at least 7 to 8 hours of good sleep each night.

Because inflammation is at the core of all of these health disorders, the suggestions for good heart and blood vessel healh will also protect your brain.