Therefore, these have critical roles in energy production (obesity, blood sugar, cholesterol), anti-inflammation, preventing leaky gut, skin health, and cancer prevention.

Could low vitamin A or low RXR activation contribute to your health problems? Read this post to learn more.

What Is a Retinoid X Receptor?

The retinoid X receptor (RXR) is a vitamin A receptor that often partners with other important receptors inside the cells. As a result, it has several important roles in energy production, immune responses, development and skin health.

Types of Retinoid X Receptors

There are three main sub-types of retinoid X receptors: RXR-α, RXR-β, and RXR-γ.

• RXR-α is found in the liver, lung, muscles, skin, kidney, and intestines
• RXR-β is found throughout the body
• RXR-γ is found in the brain, heart, and bone muscles [R]

Each RXR subtype is encoded by different genes and interacts with different biological pathways when activated [R].

Natural Activators of Retinoid X Receptors

• 9-cis retinoic acid [R]
• Honokiol [R]
• Green tea increases RXR levels [R]

RXRs Help with Immune System Function

Retinoid X Receptors (RXRs) are vital for the control of genes that are involved in the immune response [R].

1) Autoimmunity & Inflammation

Reduces Th1 and Increases Th2 Cells

Th1 and Th2 cell production influences the adaptive immune response. Th1 cells are mostly responsible for protecting against pathogens inside the cells. Meanwhile, Th2 cells protect against parasites that are located outside the cell [R].

The immune response’s outcome is controlled by changing the balance of Th1 and Th2 cells. RXR-α transmission normally suppresses the formation of Th1 cells and indirectly permits Th2 cell formation. Vitamin D receptors work with RXRs to inhibit Th1 and increase the Th2 response [R].

In a study of mice, scientists found that the RXR-α transmission pathway is necessary for Th2 responses. RXR-α deficiency decreases Th2 cell formation and causes Th1 cell levels to be too high [R].

Reduces Th17 and Increase Treg Cells

Th17 cell activation is linked to many autoimmune diseases, while Treg cells reduce autoimmunity. RXRs function with RARs to suppress Th17 cells. Activation of RXRs help inhibit Th17 cell growth and increase Treg cells

The post All About Retinoid X Receptors (RXR) appeared first on SelfHacked.

Constitutive Androstane Receptor (CAR) is important for the metabolism of the body. It helps break down foreign and toxic substances as well as decreases insulin resistance. Read more below to learn about CAR and what to do about it.

What is the Constitutive Androstane Receptor?

Constitutive Androstane Receptor (CAR) is a protein encoded by the NR1I3 gene and is part of the Nuclear Receptor family.

Nuclear Receptor proteins, in general, are responsible for the homeostasis and metabolism of the body. They work by sensing the presence of steroids, hormones, and other molecules, and in response, regulate the expression of certain genes.

The CAR protein is involved in regulating the breakdown of both substances from outside as well as inside the body, such as bilirubin (a substance in the intestines) and drugs/medications. Damaged CAR proteins or genes can result in diseases such as biliary tract disease and hyperparathyroidism (R).

CAR was originally characterized as a “xenobiotic sensor” that is activated in response to xenobiotic stress (ingesting anything that is not natural to the body) (R).

The drug-metabolizing enzyme cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is thought to be involved in the metabolism of nearly 50% of all the drugs currently prescribed. Alteration in the activity or expression of this enzyme seems to be a key predictor of drug responsiveness and toxicity. The constitutive androstane receptor increases CYP3A4 production (R).

Additionally, CAR is also activated in response to metabolic or nutritional stress (R).

CAR also influences fatty acids oxidation and glucose homeostasis (R).

CAR is produced primarily in the liver and intestines (R).

Do You React to All Supplements Because of Low CAR?

Many clients can’t seem to tolerate ANY drugs and low CAR might be the reason (in addition to low PXR and RXR).

Inflammation reduces both CAR and PXR, which can harm all 3 stages of drug metabolism (R).

CAR controls phase I (CYP2B and CYP3A), phase II (GSTA, UGT1A1), and transporter (MDR1, SLC21A6, MRP2) genes involved in drugs metabolism, bile acids and bilirubin clearance in response to xenobiotics (R).

Other nuclear factors that are also involved in the detoxification of drugs/supplements:

• NRF2
• PXR
• LXR
• FXR
• PPAR alpha

Health Benefits of CAR

1) Helps the Body Break Down Drugs

The CAR protein senses foreign substances in your body and tells your genes to make more enzymes that will break down and get

The post Constitutive Androstane Receptor (CAR) Benefits & Reactions appeared first on SelfHacked.

Read more below to learn about PXR.

What is the Pregnane X Receptor?

The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is implicated in fatty liver, vitamin D homeostasis, bile acids homeostasis, steroid hormones homeostasis and inflammatory bowel diseases (R).

The pregnane X receptor (PXR) has a significant role in how the body handles any foreign substances, especially manmade chemicals (R).

PXR is one of several cell receptors that are activated by components of the liver’s bile (R).

In newborn mice, exposure to PXR activators directed the genes responsible for the metabolism of extra compounds and fats (R).

Enzymes produced by PXR (such as CYP3A4) that help us detox are reduced in inflammatory states (R).

This is one reason why people suffering from chronic inflammation often feel like they are reacting to all drugs that they take.

Why Do You Not Feel Same Effects The First Time You Take a Drug?

PXR can explain why you don’t feel the same effects from a drug/herb if you take it daily.

When you take a drug that activates PXR (many do), then it will produce a bunch of enzymes that can eliminate the drug quite effectively (R), which is probably why you won’t notice the same effects from the same dosage.

Pros of PXR

1) Helps Clear Toxins

PXR functions as a defense mechanism against toxic insults (R).

PXR induces genes that help with all three stages of detoxification.

PXR increases CYP3A4, an important phase I oxidative enzyme that is responsible for the metabolism of many drugs.

In addition, PXR increases phase II enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase and phase III transport uptake and efflux proteins such as OATP2 and MDR1 (R).

2) Decreases Inflammation

PXR is responsible for decreasing the amount of inflammation that occurs during infection in mice (R).

By modifying the concentration of various enzymes within the intestinal lining, PXR is responsible for maintaining the gut during inflammation (R).

Activation of PXR in humans inhibits the activity of NF-κB, a key regulator of inflammation and the immune response. In mice without PXR, the expression of NF-κB target genes is substantially increased in multiple tissues,

The post Pregnane X Receptor (PXR): Adrenal, Ketosis & Side Effects appeared first on SelfHacked.