Detox supplements help cleanse the body of the toxins that build up over time, flushing potentially harmful chemicals and pollutants from the liver, kidneys and digestive system. They can also:
- Promote optimal nutrient absorption.**
- Enhance colon cleansing regimens.**
- Promote energy and immune function.**
What are Cleansing/Detox Products?
Day after day, synthetic chemicals and environmental pollutants bombard the body. These foreign substances, known as xenobiotics, many include household cleaners, solvents, cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust, phthalates, and the synthetic substances used in many cosmetics and personal care products. It has been estimated that over 85,000 synthetic chemicals are present in today’s consumer products. Research also shows that the average consumer is exposed to 200 chemicals every day through the use of personal care products alone.**
Processed and refined foods also add to the toxic load, introducing chemical preservatives, colors and artificial flavors to the body. Even non-processed foods may contain chemicals from some point in the food chain, such as antibiotics and other drugs used in livestock, fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Toxins may also come from medications, allergens and industrial by-products, such as the heavy metals arsenic, mercury, aluminum and lead.**
The body’s natural defenses – the liver, gall bladder, kidneys, colon, lungs, skin and lymphatic system – effectively function to rid the body of some of these potentially harmful substances. However, given the high volume of pollutants, chemicals and other toxic substances in the environment, the body’s natural elimination systems are sometimes overwhelmed. In addition, certain toxins may build up in the body over time, creating a cumulative and combinative effect. These elevated levels of toxicity may result in damage to cells, organs or overall health.**
As consumers grow more aware of the issue of toxic load, the call for detox supplements has increased. Detoxification supplements help to support the liver, kidneys or colon as they cleanse the body’s systems of xenobiotics. Some supplements also provide antioxidants that reduce the damage caused by toxin-induced free radicals. Though popularity of these supplements is growing in Western countries, the process of using botanicals to detox has been a valued part of many wellness traditions, such as Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, for thousands of years.**
Some of the most popular detox supplements include:
- Detox Tea: Detox teas may contain a variety of botanicals such as nettle leaf, ginger, cinnamon, celery root and green tea. Research indicates that green tea contains high levels of polyphenols and exerts a protective effect on the liver. In addition to flushing xenobiotics, detox tea creates a feeling of fullness that may aid in maintaining a healthy weight.**
- Liver Cleanse Supplements: Liver cleanse supplements are available in capsule or powder form. Commonly included liver cleanse antioxidants and herbal ingredients boost liver function and help support its natural detox process. These supplements may include dandelion, milk thistle, burdock root, and black radish root, along with antioxidants ALA and NAC.**
- Probiotics: Also known as beneficial bacteria, probiotics enhance digestive tract function. Common probiotics included in supplements include lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. These bacteria balance microbial activity in the GI tract, build acid resistance, and lower the pH level in the colon.**
- Digestive Enzymes: Digestive enzymes help the body break down proteins, promoting efficient digestion that assists with cleansing. Studies indicate that bromelain and papain, the two most common digestive enzymes, also possess inflammation-modulating properties.**
- NAC: N-acetyl cysteine or NAC is derived from an amino acid known as cysteine that’s naturally produced by the body. NAC boosts the body’s product of glutathione, an antioxidant enzyme. Research suggests that NAC has powerful protective effects on the liver, and may even enhance the liver’s ability to process and excrete toxins.**
- Charcoal: Charcoal has been used to treat those exposed to poison for hundreds of years. Also known as activated charcoal, this carbon-based substance has a porous texture that traps toxins, blocking absorption and enabling elimination.**
- Neem: Neem comes from the leaves, seeds, sap and bark of the Azadiratcha indica tree. It supplies over 140 bioactive compounds, including antimicrobial compounds that contribute to its cleansing activity.**
- Fiber: Soluble and insoluble fibers serve as highly effective colon cleansers. Fiber absorbs liquid, swells and creates bulky stools within the digestive tract, easing elimination while acting as “nature’s broom” to flush out toxins. Common fibers used in detoxification supplements include psyllium, flaxseed, konjac, pectin, chitosan and oat bran.**
- Milk Thistle: Also known as wild artichoke, the milk thistle plant grows across Europe, where it has long been prized in folk health practices. Standardized milk thistle extract, supplying an active antioxidant complex called silymarin, is one of the most popular herbal products for enhancing liver function and protecting the liver from toxins.**
- Artichoke: The artichoke has been cultivated for food and health uses for thousands of years, crossing the globe from Africa to Europe, where ancient Greeks and Romans used the plant to aid digestion. Scientific studies have found that artichoke’s active plant compounds stimulate the liver, gallbladder and kidneys while protecting the liver against toxins.**
- ALA: Alpha linoleic acid or ALA is found in cells throughout the body, where it’s a necessary component in metabolic function. This essential fatty acid also serves as a powerful antioxidant, cell-growth inhibitor and liver protector. ALA is derived from a number of plant sources, such as soy, walnuts, leafy vegetables and flaxseed.**
- Bentonite Clay/Diatomaceous Earth: Bentonite clay is a traditional method of cleansing the body of heavy metal build-up. Derived from volcanic ash, this mineral helps balance bacteria levels in the GI tract. Diatomaceous earth comes from fossilized skeletons of small aquatic creates and has a high silica content. Silica optimizes digestion and aids the body’s elimination process.**
Cleansing/Detox Products
Detox supplements are available in a wide array capsule, tablet and powder forms. They may be presented as single ingredients or as complex formulas, including liver cleanse supplements, colon cleanse supplements, and fiber complex supplements.**
Cleansing/Detox Products Directions for Use
Detox products supply varying amounts of active ingredients, so there is no set dosage. Always consult with a medical professional before starting supplementation.**
