Detoxification & Metabolism of Medications

What are the physiological effects of mercury and how does the body eliminates it? Discover how genetic variants play a role in how quickly you excrete mercury.

Exposure to certain kinds of mold can cause chronic, negative health effects. Discover how genetic variants impact the ability to handle mycotoxins.

Arsenic exposure occurs via well water, in certain foods, and through breathing. This article covers the pathways the body uses to get rid of arsenic, and it includes information on genetic variants that may impair the detoxification of arsenic.

The CYP2B6 enzyme is part of the body’s first line of defense in detoxifying and breaking down certain and important for metabolizing several medications. Genetic variants of this enzyme can either speed up or slow down its function.

Several popular drugs such as Prilosec, Nexium, and Plavix are metabolized by the CYP2C19 enzyme. There are important genetic variants in the CYP2C19 gene that changes how fast or slowly these drugs are broken down. Learn how these variants might affect their efficacy. (Member’s article)

The CYP1A2 gene breaks down caffeine, several major prescription drugs, and interacts with smoking. Learn how your genes influence caffeine metabolism and more. (Member’s article)

Have you ever wondered why certain medications don’t work well for you? Genetic variants can change how fast or how slow the medication is broken down in your body. Learn how the CYP2C9 variants impact quite a few prescription medications.

The Nrf2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor) signaling pathway regulates the expression of antioxidants and phase II detoxification enzymes. This is a fundamental pathway that is important in how well your body functions. Your genetic variants in the NFE2L2 gene impact this NRF2 pathway.

How many cigarettes a day a person smokes – and how hard it is for them to quit – is at least partly dependent on the CYP2A6 gene. This enzyme also metabolizes several important cancer drugs.

This phase I detoxification gene is important in the breakdown of the hydrocarbons produced in smoke and air pollution. It also affects the metabolism of estrogen.

Ever wonder why a certain medication may work great for a friend and do nothing for you? One reason could be the genes involved in transporting the medication into and out of your cells.
This article looks at the research studies on fexofenadine (Allegra) and the Multidrug Resistance Protein variants. (Member’s article)

Wondering why you don’t react the same way to alcohol as your friends do? Some people metabolize alcohol faster leaving a build-up of acetaldehyde. Learn more about why this can be a health problem for some. (Member’s article)

The UGT family of enzymes is responsible for an important part of phase II detoxification. This article explains what the UGT enzymes do in the body, how your genes impact this part of detoxification, and lifestyle factors that can increase or decrease this detox process.

The CYP2C8 gene is important in the metabolism of several chemotherapy drugs (e.g. Taxol) as well as playing a role in the metabolism of NSAIDs. Genetic variants that alter the way that this enzyme works can impact your reaction to a medication.

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the herbicide Round-Up. A recent study showed that people with CYP1A1 genetic variants are more likely to have problems with acetylcholinesterase inhibition from glyphosate.

Pyrethroids are commonly found in household insecticides. Genetic variants can impact how fast or slowly you break down the chemical. Learn more about this chemical in part 3 of a pesticide series.

Is buying organic worth the extra cost? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to that question. Pesticides that are sprayed on conventionally grown foods affect people differently. Some people carry genetic variants that decrease their ability to detoxify specific pesticides, others may be more resilient. This is Part Two in a multipart series on pesticide detoxification.