Detoxication
Detoxication
Detoxication (pronounced: de-tox-i-ca-tion) is a medical term referring to the physiological or medicinal removal of toxic substances from a living organism, including the human body, which is mainly carried out by the liver.
Etymology
The term "detoxication" is derived from the Latin word "detoxificare", which means to remove poison. It was first used in the medical context in the early 20th century.
Related Terms
- Toxin: A harmful substance produced within living cells or organisms.
- Liver: The largest glandular organ in the body, performing many functions including detoxication.
- Metabolism: The chemical processes in a living organism in order to maintain life, including the process of detoxication.
- Antioxidant: A substance that inhibits oxidation, especially one used to counteract the deterioration of stored food products or remove potentially damaging oxidizing agents in a living organism.
- Homeostasis: The tendency towards a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes.
Detoxication Process
Detoxication primarily occurs in the liver, where toxins are metabolized for excretion. This process involves two phases: Phase I and Phase II. In Phase I, enzymes like cytochrome P450 oxidize toxins to make them more accessible for Phase II. In Phase II, the liver cells add another substance (like cysteine, glycine or a sulphur molecule) to the toxic chemical or drug, to render it less harmful. This makes the toxin or drug water-soluble, so it can then be excreted from the body via watery fluids such as bile or urine.
Importance of Detoxication
Detoxication is crucial for maintaining homeostasis in the body and preventing damage from harmful substances. Without this process, toxins could accumulate and lead to serious health problems, such as liver damage or failure, kidney damage, and a variety of other health conditions.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Detoxication
- Wikipedia's article - Detoxication
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