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Understanding Mercury Detoxification and Your GCLC Gene

Mercury detoxification is your body’s process of neutralizing and removing mercury, a toxic heavy metal found in some fish, environmental sources, and certain occupations. A central player in this process is glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that binds mercury and helps the body eliminate it. The GCLC gene makes an enzyme that is essential for producing glutathione. Variations in this gene can influence how efficiently your body makes glutathione and, as a result, how effectively it handles mercury exposure.

Why GCLC matters

GCLC encodes the catalytic subunit of glutamate-cysteine ligase, the enzyme that catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step of glutathione synthesis. When glutathione production is reduced, the body may have less capacity to bind and detoxify mercury, potentially leading to higher mercury accumulation over time. One specific genetic variant, rs761142, is associated with differences in mercury levels among people.

What this means for your health

  • Lower glutathione production can reduce mercury clearance and may increase mercury burden from dietary or environmental exposures.
  • Genetic predisposition does not guarantee higher mercury in every situation. Lifestyle, diet, overall antioxidant status, and exposure level also play major roles.
  • Knowing your genotype can help you prioritize targeted dietary and lifestyle strategies to support detox pathways.

Practical Diet, Supplement, and Lifestyle Recommendations

Diet

  • Eat a variety of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables daily — berries, leafy greens, citrus, peppers and cruciferous vegetables.
  • Include sulfur-containing foods that support glutathione synthesis: garlic, onions, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and eggs.
  • Choose selenium-containing foods such as Brazil nuts (1–2 per day), seafood low in mercury, poultry, and whole grains. Selenium helps bind mercury and protect tissues.
  • Limit high-mercury fish: avoid king mackerel, swordfish, tilefish, and large tuna. Favor low-mercury seafood like salmon, sardines, and trout.
  • Stay well hydrated to support kidney function and elimination.

Supplements to consider

Before starting any supplement talk with your healthcare provider to ensure safety and proper dosing. Supplements often recommended to support glutathione and antioxidant capacity include:

  • N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to provide cysteine, a building block for glutathione
  • Alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant that can help regenerate glutathione
  • Vitamin C and vitamin E to support overall antioxidant defenses
  • Selenium (in food or targeted supplement form) to support mercury binding and antioxidant enzymes

Lifestyle and environmental strategies

  • Reduce mercury exposure: choose low-mercury seafood, avoid products known to contain mercury, and minimize exposure in occupational settings where possible.
  • Get regular physical activity to support circulation, lymphatic flow, and healthy detox pathways.
  • Prioritize quality sleep and stress management, since sleep and stress hormones influence detoxification systems.
  • Maintain a healthy weight and metabolic profile, as metabolic stress can impair detox pathways.

Testing and monitoring

  • If you have concerns about mercury exposure, discuss testing options with your healthcare provider. Hair, blood, and urine tests each have different uses and windows of exposure.
  • Repeat testing may be appropriate after interventions to reduce exposure and support detoxification, guided by a clinician.

Genetic Interpretation

Two effect alleles (AA genotype) — higher predisposition to mercury accumulation

If you have the AA genotype for rs761142, you carry two copies of the effect allele. This variant is associated with reduced efficiency in glutathione production through the GCLC enzyme. Lower glutathione can mean decreased capacity to bind and eliminate mercury, so people with this genotype have been observed in research to have higher mercury levels in some populations.

Actionable steps: prioritize sulfur-rich foods, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, and selenium-containing foods such as Brazil nuts in moderation. Discuss targeted supplements like NAC, alpha-lipoic acid, and vitamins C and E with your healthcare provider. Reduce mercury exposure from diet and environment and consider appropriate testing if exposure is a concern.

One effect allele (AC genotype) — slight predisposition to higher mercury levels

If you have the AC genotype for rs761142, you carry one copy of the effect allele. This genotype is associated with a modest reduction in glutathione production capacity compared to the CC genotype. That could slightly affect how efficiently your body processes and clears mercury from dietary and environmental sources.

Actionable steps: follow the diet and lifestyle recommendations above to support glutathione production. Consider discussing targeted supplementation with your clinician if you have ongoing exposures or other risk factors. Choose low-mercury fish and minimize unnecessary sources of mercury exposure.

Zero effect alleles (CC genotype) — typical mercury detox capacity

If you have the CC genotype for rs761142, you carry two copies of the non-effect allele. Based on this variant your GCLC function and glutathione production are expected to be typical. That supports a usual capacity for mercury detoxification through natural pathways.

Actionable steps: maintain a balanced antioxidant-rich diet, practice the lifestyle strategies above, and limit high-mercury foods. Continue routine healthy habits and consult a clinician about testing only if exposure concerns arise.

Putting It All Together

Your GCLC genotype offers insight into one factor that influences mercury handling in the body. Whether you have two, one, or zero effect alleles, real-world mercury levels are shaped by both genetics and environment. The most impactful steps are reducing exposure and supporting detoxification pathways with diet, lifestyle, and, when appropriate, targeted supplementation under clinician guidance.

PlexusDx does not provide medical advice. This information is educational and intended to help you understand genetic predispositions related to mercury detoxification. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to medications, supplements, or major lifestyle decisions, and before pursuing testing or treatment based on genetic information.