You might have heard the term “detox,” but you’ve also probably wondered, “How does detox work?”

The term often conjures up the image of a person drinking vegetable juice and spending half the day in the bathroom. But you should know that isn’t the only way to give your body a healthy “reset.”

Although many purging-based “cleanses” extol the benefits of fast detoxification with promises of weight loss and a more youthful appearance, they might not be the safest or most effective way to detox. And aside from how difficult such detoxes can be to adhere to, they might also lack the key nutrients your body needs for optimal functioning, leaving you feeling drained and “hangry” – when hunger leads to anger.

But considering that the world we live in (and often the food we eat) is rife with pollutants and chemicals, the potential benefit of a good detox might make any pain worth the gain, right? 

Well, not exactly: Detoxification is not a “one and done” scenario. 

So… how does detox work?

Detoxification isn’t something that happens once a year, like spring cleaning your house. Multiple body systems work cohesively together to “detoxify” our bodies every single day and night, and thankfully so. We are exposed to toxic insults daily from a variety of sources – the air we breathe, the food and liquids we consume, the products we put on our skin and hair, and even the agents we use to clean our homes.

Can you imagine the mess we would be living in if we left all our dirty dishes and laundry to be done just once a year? 

Just like cleaning up the kitchen after each meal, detoxifying from the pollutants we are exposed to is something that needs to happen consistently (if not daily) so our bodies don’t become overburdened with stored toxins. Feelings of sluggishness, poor metabolism, excessive body odor, or acne could all be indications your body is not metabolizing toxins as efficiently as it should.

What exactly does detox mean?

Detoxification is the process by which the body metabolizes and excretes foreign substances, including toxins, drugs, and chemicals. 

Multiple organs and body systems are involved in detoxification, including the liver, kidneys, digestive system, the skin, and even the lungs. The liver, however, does most of the heavy lifting in metabolizing toxins. In addition, healthy liver detoxification is essential to support hormone metabolism, including estrogen; therefore, an overburdened liver can also lead to symptoms of hormonal imbalance.1

How does detox work?

The liver, as our primary detoxification organ, plays a critical role in converting foreign and toxic substances into forms that can be removed from the body. Whereas water-soluble toxins are processed by our kidneys and readily excreted in our urine, many of the toxins we are exposed to – such as environmental pollutants – are fat-soluble and require more elaborate mechanisms for removal.

There are two phases of liver detoxification required for these types of toxins: phase I and phase II.

Visualize the process as a warehouse assembly line or a conveyor belt in which products (toxins) go through a step-by-step transformation process until they are packaged up appropriately, and ultimately shipped out.

Phase I liver enzymes (known as the cytochrome p450 family of enzymes) are at the top of the “assembly line” and are responsible for converting fat-soluble compounds into “intermediate” forms that are water-soluble to facilitate their removal. The paradox, however, is that these “intermediates” are, in many cases, more harmful to the body than the original compound. So it is imperative that the next set of “workers” on the assembly line (the phase II enzymes) work just as efficiently to “package” these intermediate compounds into safer forms to minimize their potentially damaging effects.

Phase II liver enzymes neutralize the intermediate metabolites by attaching them to other substances, which increases their solubility and supports their excretion – a process known as conjugation. Finally, the conjugated substances are cued up for excretion and released into the bile that is produced by the liver, for travel through the digestive system where they are ultimately bound to fiber and excreted in stool.1 The microbiome and large intestine, therefore, play critical roles in detoxification, because inadequate bowel movements can lead to the reabsorption of toxins and hormones as they sit in the colon awaiting excretion. Inadequate fiber content can lead to constipation, so anything less than one bowel movement daily can have a detrimental effect on the body, particularly during a detox in which the goal is to stimulate liver metabolism of stored toxins.

Types of detox

Different types of detox can target the liver and/or the colon, with many featuring juice cleanses or fasting.

Juice Cleanses – Although some juices do deliver a concentration of vitamins and antioxidants, they also tend to contain a lot of sugar, particularly fruit juices. While vegetable juice won’t be as high in sugar, all juices lack fiber, which is necessary for a healthy detox and elimination. 

Fasting – During a strict fast, no food or drink is consumed except water or unsweetened herbal teas. The length of a fast can range from 12 hours to three weeks, although a maximum of three days is typically advised due to the risk of rapid weight loss and loss of lean muscle.2 Although there is evidence that both fasting and intermittent fasting – such as a 12-18 hour fast in a 24-hour period – is beneficial,2 extreme calorie restriction can lead to low blood sugar and a variety of unpleasant symptoms, such as irritability, fatigue, weakness, and headaches.

For a nutrient-dense detox plan that won’t leave you “hangry,” check out Thorne’s 10-Day Detox Wellness Guide, which features our MediClear® powders, each one delivering a rice-and-pea-protein formula with a complete multi-vitamin/mineral profile and additional gut and liver supportive nutrients.*

For those who desire a more extensive detoxification program, as well as help identifying food sensitivities, Thorne’s MediClear Detox and Allergy Elimination Wellness Guide features a 21-day program that includes sample menus and recipes. 

For comprehensive detox support, these programs expertly pair MediClear with Thorne’s prebiotic powder, FiberMend®, as well as FloraSport 20B®, to support the microbiome and healthy bowel movements.*

Do detoxes work?

How well a detox works depends on how well it supports every aspect of the detox “assembly line.” How does detox work if we don’t support both liver function and healthy elimination? 

And to get the most benefit, you need to give your body a much-needed break from exposure to everyday toxins. Here are some quick tips on how to do a detox:

Say “No” to:

  • Alcohol and caffeine
  • Refined sugar and processed foods
  • Fried and charcoal-broiled foods
  • Smoke exposure and excessive air pollution

Say “Yes” to:

  • Whole, unprocessed foods, including legumes and whole grains
  • A rainbow of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices
  • Lean meats, including fish and poultry (unless you are a vegetarian)
  • Purified water and herbal teas
  • Hot baths and saunas
  • Light-to-moderate exercise

How do detoxes work?

Although detoxes come in all shapes and sizes, the core principle is to minimize exposure to toxins while enhancing the body’s ability to process and eliminate stored toxins. 

Glutathione is a key component of both the liver’s phase I and phase II detoxification activity, as well as one of the body’s most important antioxidants.* Thorne’s Glutathione-SR features a sustained-release form to protect it from stomach acid and support steady levels of this essential nutrient in the bloodstream.* 

Traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic systems of healing have long used botanicals to support liver function, including turmeric, which supports a healthy inflammatory response in the liver, as well as throughout the body.* Milk thistle and artichoke also boast an extensive history of use for liver support, and you can find these three time-tested botanicals in Thorne’s S.A.T.®, formulated for optimal absorption.* Thorne’s Liver Cleanse is a combination of four botanicals that work synergistically to stimulate the production of bile, which helps carry toxins out of the body.* Check out this Take 5 Daily article to learn more about the five best botanicals for supporting liver health.

Certain foods also support liver detoxification, such as cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli that contains unique compounds that enhance the body’s phase II enzyme activity, helping support both detoxification and estrogen metabolism.1 You can find concentrated broccoli seed extract in several of Thorne’s unique formulations, including Broccoli Seed Extract, Hormone Advantage, and Mediclear-SGS, the latter of which also features liver-supporting herbs like milk thistle.*

You can explore all of Thorne’s formulations that support healthy detoxification here.

References

  1. Hodges RE, Minich DM. Modulation of metabolic detoxification pathways using foods and food-derived components: a scientific review with clinical application. J Nutr Metab 2015;2015. doi:10.1155/2015/760689
  2. Longo VD, Mattson MP. Fasting: molecular mechanisms and clinical applications. Cell Metab 2014;19(2):181-192. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2013.12.008