What the heck is biotransformation?
Have you ever taken a medication and wondered where it traveled to in your body? Or come in contact with a toxic substance in the environment, and were curious as to how it affected you? These questions can be answered by understanding the process of biotransformation.
What is biotransformation?
Simply put, biotransformation is a process that occurs when substances known as xenobiotics enter the body and are altered to become more easily excreted. A xenobiotic is defined as a foreign chemical or toxin that enters the body and accumulates, typically as a result of exposure to pollutants (Zachou et al., 2021). This process initiates a structural change of chemical compounds that enter our systems and are broken down through a series of phases (Sultana, 2018). Biotransformation is important to health because it assists the body in eliminating toxins and waste while separating the beneficial components (nutrients) to be absorbed. The liver is the central location for biotransformation to take place, although other bodily systems and organs are involved.
One of the main purposes of biotransformation is to change lipid (fat) soluble compounds into water-soluble molecules for easier excretion (Crinnion & Pizzorno, 2019). Some compounds are highly lipophilic (fatty) and have a more difficult time breaking down in this process. These types of compounds accumulate in the body and can lead to numerous health complications if not addressed. The organs primarily involved in the detoxification process of internally ingested compounds include the intestines, the liver, and the kidneys.
The phases of biotransformation
To understand biotransformation, the phases of the process must be outlined.
Phase I
The first phase is called functionalization. Xenobiotics undergo one of three functions in phase I including, oxidation, reduction, or hydrolysis all of which help to transition toxins into more water-soluble compounds. Throughout this process xenobiotics come in contact with a family of enzymes called the CYP-450 enzymes that live within the detoxification organs. The CYP enzymes help to break down and metabolize incoming compounds to prepare for excretion. 90% of xenobiotic comopounds that enter the body are oxidized by the CYP enzymes (Crinnion & Pizzorno, 2019).
Phase II
If compounds are not fully excreted after phase I, they are transported to phase II known as conjugation. Conjugation continues to assist in making toxins easier to excrete by adding more water-solubility to the compound. You may have heard of amino acids, N-acetyl transferese (NAT) or S-adenosylmethionin (SAMe). These are all catylsts of conjugation and when present in sufficient amounts, will alter compounds to progress through excretion. NAT is a critical enzyme in a process of phase II called acetylation while SAMe is a catalyst for methylation.
What interrupts biotransformation?
It may appear that the obvious answer is high toxic load. The more toxins that enter the body, the harder the detoxification organs need to operate in order to eliminate the compounds. This may put a lot of stress on the body especially if the toxic load is related to high drug intake.
Research has shown that psychological stress can have a significant impact on the functioning of the CYP enzymatic pathways in phase I as well as reducing glutathione in phase II (Konstandi et al., 2022). Glutathione is comprised of three amino acid compounds and acts as a regulator for detoxification. In addition, when high levels of stress interfere with hormone stimulating functions in the brain and throughout the body, it also negatively affects the CYP regulation.
Other internal and external factors that can inhibit biotransformation include:
High sugar diet
Low protein diet
Illness and disease
Inflammation
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Enhancing biotransformation
In terms of enhancing biotransformation, there are many steps we can take to support our body’s detoxification process. One of the first steps is to ensure you are eating a well-balanced diet. This could include a supplementary intake of antioxidant rich foods such as green tea, blueberries, leafy green vegetables, and nuts. You can also focus on an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3s, fiber, and protein. A simple way to strengthen your dietary portfolio is to speak with your physician, a nutritionist, or a dietition to focus on areas of improvement.
One of the largest contributors to toxic load are environmental pollutants. Environmental pollutants take form as air pollution, water pollution, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or heavy metals. Understanding where you may come into contact with these substances can help to avoid exposure and improve overall health.
Lastly, you can support biotransformation through nutrients. Nutrient deficiencies in the body can inhibit the process of toxin elimination. By implementing the proper supplements when needed, can properly support and complement the biotransformation phases and excretion process. Additionally, there are many nutrients in the form of supplements, teas, and tinctures that support healthy liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal integrity.
Common xenobiotics
Throughout this article, you have learned about the excretion of toxins but not necessarily the toxins themselves. Common xenobiotic compounds that are referred to are drugs such as prescription medications, can have lasting impact on our bodies and the functioning of detoxification. As mentioned above, environmental pollutants also heavily influence the function of the detoxification organs and can contribute to illness and disease. Unforunately, most of the products around us are either manufactured of toxic chemicals or emit toxic chemicals into the air.
Common environmental toxins include:
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals
Bisphenol A (BPA)
Phthalates (found in cosmetic products, fragranced products, plastic packaging)
Air pollution
Heavy metals
Mercury
Lead
Cadmium
Water pollution
By understanding the process of biotransformation and supportive actions, toxins we come into contact with can easily be excreted out of the body and eliminated altogether.
References
Crinnion, W.J. & Pizzorno, J.E. (2019). Biotransformation and elimination. Clinical Environmental Medicine (pp. 667-685). Elsevier.
Konstandi, M., Johnson, E.O., & Lang, M.A. (2022). Stress as a potential regulatory factor in the outcome of pharmacotherapy. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 16, doi:10.3389/fnins.2022.737716
Sultana, N. (2018). Microbial biotransformation of bioactive and clinically useful steroids and some salient features of steroids and biotransformation. Steroids, 136, 76-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.steroids.2018.01.007
Zachou, K., Arvaniti, P., Lyberopoulou, A., & Dalekos, G.. (2021). Impact of genetic and environmental factors on autoinmune hepatitis. Journal of Translational Autoimmunity, 4, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtauto.2021.100125
