Your liver and kidneys detoxify you continuously and efficiently. "Detox" supplements cannot substitute for those organs but may support their function, particularly during periods of high alcohol, medication, or environmental exposure.
- Milk thistle (silymarin 420β600 mg/day standardized to 80% silymarin): Best-studied liver-support supplement. Modest evidence for hepatoprotection.
- NAC (N-acetylcysteine, 600β1800 mg/day): Glutathione precursor. Used clinically for acetaminophen overdose. Broader antioxidant support.
- Glutathione (250β500 mg liposomal/day): Direct antioxidant. Oral bioavailability is limited without liposomal delivery.
- Dandelion root (400β1000 mg/day): Diuretic, mild digestive support. Evidence is traditional rather than clinical.
- Activated charcoal (1β2 g occasional use): Binds some toxins in the gut. Not for routine use β it also binds medications and nutrients.
- "Full body cleanse" kits with laxatives and diuretics
- Products claiming to remove "toxins" without naming specific compounds
- Liver flushes with epsom salts and olive oil (no clinical evidence, some risk)
- Long-course activated charcoal use (nutrient depletion)
- Colon cleanses (can disrupt microbiome and cause dehydration)
Ingredient standardization (silymarin content in milk thistle is particularly important), dose adequacy, third-party testing, and claim honesty. Products promoting "detox fasts" or aggressive cleansing protocols score lower.