How does the body remove toxic substances?

An individual's ability to remove or detoxify toxins is a primary factor in susceptibility to toxin-related conditions.

In order to remove (excrete) the multitude of diverse toxins, the body has a complex system that converts them into non-toxic molecules for removal.  This complex system occurs in two phases- Phase I and Phase II, that convert (biotransform) a toxic molecule into a non-toxic molecule that can be easily excreted.  The majority of detoxification occurs in the liver, however all tissues have some ability to detoxify, including the intestines, skin and lungs.

In Phase I, a functional group is added to the toxic molecule, producing an intermediate that needs to be further transformed.  Phase II detoxification involves a process called conjugation in which various enzymes in the liver attach protective compounds to the intermediate, making it less harmful and more readily excretable.  Because the products of Phase I can be highly reactive and more harmful than the original compound, achieving and maintaining a balance between Phase I and Phase II processes is critical.

Furthermore, a significant side effect of all this metabolic activity is the production of free radicals as the toxins

is transformed, resulting in oxidative stress.  Nutrients that help protect us from oxidative stress include vitamins

C and E, zinc, selenium and copper.