Chemistry
The Role of Cytochrome P450 in Drug and Toxin Metabolism
Quick fact
Your body has a team of enzymes called cytochrome P450 that can oxidize almost any lipophilic chemical—from caffeine to pollutants—making it more water-soluble for excretion. Genetic variations in these enzymes cause up to 10-fold differences in drug clearance between individuals.
Why this is interesting
You swallow a pill, and within hours it’s mostly gone from your body. But how does your body know exactly what to do with a molecule it has never seen before?