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They represent a diverse group of chemicals, ranging from pesticides to drugs, industrial solvents and cigarette tar. Xenobiotics are either stored in fatty tissues and nerves or are processed by enzymes and eliminated through the bile, urine, and to a certain extent, sweat. However, long-term exposure to environmental chemicals in the home or workplace can lead to a buildup in the body which, ultimately, causes illness.

Chemical modification of xenobiotics occurs chiefly in the liver, but also in the lungs, kidneys, and intestines to a certain extent. Enzymes in these organs convert foreign compounds to more water-soluble forms so that they can be excreted. To accomplish this, the body employs a battery of oxidizing enzymes called Phase 1 enzymes which require iron, niacin, and riboflavin for their activity. A second battery of enzymes are called Phase 2 enzymes which attach to compounds including amino acids, sulfate, and sugar acids to the modified Xenobiotics. The conjugated product is generally more soluble in body fluids and, therefore, more easily excreted and less harmful than the unprocessed compounds. Key nutrient support for the Phase 2 processes are the sulfur-containing amino acid (cystine), vitamin C, pantothenic acid, and niacin.