Detoxification: Phase I and Phase II Detox Genes

Your body can remarkably rid itself of harmful substances through detoxification pathways.

We are all exposed to toxicants (manufactured toxins) through pesticide residue, air pollution, skin care products, and medications. Additionally, our bodies all break down and eliminate substances made and used within ourselves as well as natural plant compounds. All of this relies on complex systems in our bodies that break down and eliminate toxins.

Many people have genetic variants that impact how medications and toxicants are broken down and eliminated.

Understanding where you have a genetic sensitivity — and then optimizing to avoid specific toxicants or drugs — is the key here.

First, let me explain how phase I and phase II detoxification work. Then I’ll link to the articles on significant genetic variants in these pathways. These articles can help you understand how your body eliminates specific substances, such as prescription drugs and pesticide residue.

Table of Contents

What are detoxification pathways?

Your body metabolizes (breaks down) the foreign substances that come into it – and then gets rid of them. This is usually a two or three stage process.

In a nutshell, substances need to be water soluble to be eliminated via feces and urine, and the goal of ‘detox’ is to get rid of substances that your body doesn’t want.

Phase I breaks apart large toxins and makes them into polar molecules. This breaking apart is called metabolism, and the formed substance is called a metabolite.

Phase II binds something to the metabolite from Phase I, making it water soluble and easily excretable.

Some researchers include a third phase in the process – the elimination of Phase II products (urine, feces, sweat).

How do phase I and phase II metabolism apply to medications or drugs?

Doctors often say, “try this medication and see how it works for you”. Knowing how your genes work, you can know what is more likely to work and understand why a specific medication gives you side effects.

The rate at which a medication is metabolized affects how your body will react to that drug:

Too fast, and you may not get the effect you need.
Too slow, and you may build up too much in your body when you take the next dose.

Some medications are designed so that the metabolite – the substance created after phase I metabolism – is actually the active drug. These types of medications are called prodrugs.

Note: While your data from 23andMe or AncestryDNA can give you part of the picture on medication metabolism, for a better understanding of your drug metabolism issues, your doctor may recommend getting a clinical-grade test done (pharmacogenetic testing).

In addition to genetics, your gut microbiome can also impact medication efficacy and side effects.[ref]

Phase I detoxification genes: CYP450

Many toxicants – whether eaten, breathed, or created in our bodies – are broken down by the Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) family of enzymes in phase I detoxification. Much of this occurs in the liver, the body’s main organ for detoxification.

Quick science explanation: The CYP450 enzymes have iron and oxygen in them and, through a redox reaction, can make a drug or toxicant more polar. These metabolite molecules then pass through phase II detoxification to become even more hydrophilic (water-loving) so that they can easily be eliminated. The goal is to create molecules that the body can easily get rid of (urine, feces, sweat).

CYP450 Genetic Variants:

The following articles list the genetic variants related to phase I detoxification of toxicants, medications, and substances produced within the body. Read through the article and check your genetic data.

CYP1A1 – metabolism of estrogen, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and more
CYP1A2 – metabolism of caffeine, duloxetine, bupropion, aflatoxin B, and more
CYP2A6 – metabolism of nicotine, coumarin, and more
CYP2C9 – metabolism of warfarin, rosuvastatin, celecoxib, and more
CYP2C19 – metabolism of clopidogrel, some proton pump inhibitors, more
CYP2D6 – metabolism of some antidepressants, antipsychotics, more
CYP3A4 – metabolism of half of all prescription drugs
CYP2E1 – metabolism of fatty acids, alcohol, and some anesthetics

Members: If you’re a Genetic Lifehacks member, the place to start is the Detoxification Topic Report. This report shows you which CYP variants you carry so that you can jump to the articles relevant to you

Phase II detoxification genes: UGT, GST, Nrf2

Phase II detoxification involves taking the metabolites of phase I and modifying them to be easily excreted.

Sometimes the metabolites of phase I are carcinogenic or reactive, so having phase II detox in sync is very important. You want to have fast and efficient phase II detoxification.

The following articles explain your genetic susceptibility variants related to phase II detoxification as well as what you can do to avoid problems here.

Elimination:

After a toxin passes through Phase II, it needs to be excreted from the body. Some are processed through the kidneys and out through urine; others go through the intestines and out.

Bile acids are essential in the process, as is proper kidney function.

You can promote elimination by staying hydrated (peeing it out) and by normal bowel movements (pooping regularly).

Additionally, some substances can be eliminated through sweat, and a sauna can be beneficial for elimination.

With all of these routes of elimination, getting enough water each day is important.

Detoxification pathways for specific substances:

In addition to the above, the following articles look at specific toxicants and their detoxification pathways:

Detoxification: Phase I and Phase II Metabolism