All membranes in our bodies, indeed in all life forms, are made up of two layers of oil molecules (the phospho-lipid bilayer) which slide over each other, and which require a precise composition in order to function properly — to allow signals or molecules into or out of the cell, to keep them out etc.  This is the reason why too much animal fats or processed fats can be bad for us, and why the “Essential Fatty Acids” are essential.

The first active ingredient of the treatment is phospholipids, oils, in the form in which they occur in the membranes.  When this is injected intravenously there is a rapid exchange, the injected lipids being put into the cell walls to replace the ones there being taken out, and with the lipids coming out of the cell wall there also come some of the toxins.  The literature suggests that at least 5% of total cell lipids can be turned over by one treatment.

The second ingredient of the treatment is glutathione.  This amino acid is an important antioxidant and a key component of liver detoxifying systems. It is also what the herbalists refer to as a cholagogue; it stimulates bile production.  It is given as a second injection through the same needle, with the purpose of mopping up in the bloodstream the toxins that are released by the phospholipid injection from membranes, combining with them and being excreted still attached to them. It also serves to stimulate bile flow, and in the bowel to keep the toxins from being re-absorbed into the system.  I and many others have used glutathione intravenously for some years and no serious adverse reaction has been reported, even with the large 2 gram doses used in PLX.

The combination of these two agents amounts to a new treatment, but there is very good evidence of safety for each component, and the American group have given thousands of such combined treatments, with no serious adverse effects, and often with dramatic benefits.