Supporting Your Body In Dealing With Psych Meds
“Hormesis” is a biological phenomenon that occurs when a beneficial result comes from exposure to low doses of an otherwise toxic agent. This occurs because very little amounts of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) found in some toxins can actually increase Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. ATP is the molecule providing energy to the cell to maintain its many functions. Too many ROS, however, will decrease ATP production.
When small amounts of ROS are encountered, a response pathway known as Nrf2 is activated. This is the antioxidant response. Think, mild to moderate intensity exercise.
Large amounts of ROS stimulate a different pathway, known as the NFkB pathway, which causes inflammation. Think, running a marathon (yup, I said it. It ain’t healthy for you!)
If there are too many ROS in the cell, then the cell begins apoptosis (programmed cell death) via the production of AP1.
Phytohormesis is the name of the phenomenon when hormesis is achieved using plant sources. This happens because phytochemicals (biologically active chemicals found in plants) turn on the Nrf2 pathway – the antioxidant response, just like mild to moderate intensity exercise. Sulphoraphane is an example of one such compound, found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower and cabbages.
Nrf2 turns on genes for antioxidant response by binding to sections of DNA known as the Antioxidant Response Element (ARE). These sections of genes code for activation of Phase II Detoxification Enzymes and cryoprotective compounds.
Ok ok I’ll stop here! Why is this relevant? Because Phase II Detoxification Enzymes play an important role in the elimination of chemicals, including the remnants of psychiatric medications from the body. Eating cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussel sprouts and cabbages can support your body rid itself of psychiatric medications. There are supplements you can take to support the functioning of these enzymes and thus, minimize the negative effect of psychiatric medications on your body.
Dim detox: if you don’t like broccoli, this supplement is for you. It has the same glucosinolates in it that are found in broccoli, including indole-3-carbinol, and sulforaphane, that help support healthy detoxification, hormone metabolism and cell cycle activity. The additional ingredients of Silymarin, alpha lipoic acid and n-acetyl-l-cysteine act to support phase II detoxification enzyme activity in the liver and offer antioxidant support for cellular protection. Taurine, glycine and methionine promote phase II detoxification pathways and healthy cell metabolism.
Nrf2 detox: another great “alternative to cruciferous veggies, containinng isothiocyanate sulforaphane which is one of the most powerful activators of phase II enzyme function in the liver, supporting toxin, including medication elimination. The other ingredients sulforaphane and resveratrol promote the activity of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor that supports robust, long-lasting expression of numerous genes, including the ones producing glutathione, responsible for detoxification and protection against oxidative stress, supporting your body long term in these detoxification processes. This is important since most people take medications at least for months, but frequently years. I usually recommend patients to stay on the regimen that got them better, at least for 6 months from the time they started feeling really good (“remission” of symptoms).
