Detox supplements are a great way to improve energy levels and boost the immune system. They can also help detoxify the liver and reduce oxidative stress.
A few studies on detox diets have shown some promising results, but a 2019 study published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements attempted to run a randomized trial on commercial detox supplements and found they did not affect weight loss or digestive symptoms.
1. Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is a plant that contains a mixture of flavonolignans called silymarin. It helps stabilize cellular membranes and stimulates liver detoxification pathways, including protein synthesis and bile flow. This is important because it helps to remove toxins from the body and reduces inflammation.
It also helps prevent and treat liver diseases, including alcoholic cirrhosis, hepatitis, and drug-induced liver damage. It’s also been used to help manage diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels. It may also improve indigestion (dyspepsia).
Studies of milk thistle’s effectiveness in treating hepatitis B and C, viral hepatitis, cholestasis, and alcohol-related liver disease have shown mixed results. More research is needed, and detailed attention should be given to the constituents, preparation, standardization, and other herbal ingredients of the milk thistle preparations used in the randomized trials.
Also, the role of concomitant medications should be considered, especially antiplatelet and anticoagulants (e.g., clopidogrel and warfarin) and drugs that are broken down by the liver, such as acetaminophen.
2. Dandelion Root
Dandelion root is often overlooked as a health-boosting herb. It’s rich in vitamins A and C, plus potassium and iron. It also has natural diuretic properties and promotes bile flow, which helps reduce bloating, water retention, constipation, indigestion, and more.
Moreover, it provides a great dose of antioxidants which help neutralize free radicals and mitigate oxidative stress, a leading cause of chronic disease. The flavonoids and terpenoids in dandelion also provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
Additionally, it’s a source of inulin, a type of fiber that supports healthy blood sugar levels. And it may promote bone health thanks to its calcium and vitamin K content. However, more research is needed on this.
3. Ginger
Ginger works as a natural diuretic to help flush the body of excess water weight. It also improves digestion, suppresses appetite, and is an excellent source of anti-inflammatory nutrients.
Ginger has been shown to reduce the accumulation of fat in the liver and the intestines and promote healthy metabolism. It also has antioxidant properties and helps relieve nausea and vomiting.
Vitamin C and E are essential for proper detoxification because they provide the body with the antioxidants needed to neutralize free radicals that can damage healthy cells and DNA. You can find these vitamins in a variety of foods, such as strawberries, red peppers, oranges, spinach, and avocados.
4. Turmeric
A powerful detoxifier, turmeric has numerous beneficial properties. Its rhizomes contain curcuminoids, which are natural antioxidants. Turmeric is also rich in vitamin C and vitamin B6. Its volatile oils, including turmerone and arturmerone, and sesquiterpenes (d-a-phellandrene, d-sabinene, cinol, and zingiberene) have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and reduce oxidative damage to lipids and proteins in vitro.
Our turmeric is blended with green tea, ginger, parsley, rosemary, cloves, and peppermint in this supplement to help support phase 2 of the body’s natural detoxification process. The herbal blend helps cleanse the body and boosts the bile production that is vital to remove fat-soluble toxins.
This product is sustainability-sourced and 100% vegetarian. It is a clinically tested formula that delivers a comprehensive botanical detoxification. It’s also free of gluten, GMOs, and dairy.
5. Green Tea
Green tea is one of the best detox supplements that will help you cleanse your body. This drink is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants that help fight free radicals. It also helps lower your blood pressure. The most potent type of catechin in green tea is EGCG, which helps promote weight loss and decrease the risk of cancer cells.
The body’s natural system is designed to naturally cleanse itself. It eliminates toxins through organs like the lungs, skin, and kidneys, where they’re expelled in sweat, urine, or feces.
The best detox teas contain herbs that support the liver and kidneys. This tea from Traditional Medicinals contains herbal extracts of burdock root, nettle leaf, dandelion root, cleaver herb, and lemon myrtle leaf to promote liver and kidney health.
6. Colon Cleanse
Some alternative medicine practitioners claim that colon cleansing (also called colonic or colonic irrigation) helps detoxify the body. The theory behind this therapy is that toxins accumulate in the colon and spread throughout the body, causing nonspecific symptoms and a general feeling of illness.
The practice uses tubes to inject water, often mixed with dietary fiber, herbs, or other liquids, into the colon via the rectum. This is supposed to eliminate accumulated waste, including putrefied feces, and restore the balance of healthy bacteria in the colon and lower digestive tract.
While an occasional enema poses little risk, prolonged use can lead to diarrhea and, in rare cases, bowel perforation — a medical emergency that requires immediate care. Instead, try a natural colon cleanse Detox Supplements like Sculpt n’ Cleanse promote enhanced gut health and smooth digestive function without the gritty side effects.
7. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a simple, natural detox supplement that can help to promote healthy digestion and hydration. It is also rich in vitamin C, which may reduce oxidative damage and support immune health.
Lemon water is often used as part of a cleanse, which involves drinking a lemon-based mixture for several days to detox the body. This can be done at home, and there are several recipes online to help you get started.
However, experts warn that there is little evidence that these detox diets work. In addition, they can be difficult to follow and may result in nutritional deficiencies. For these reasons, it is best to stick to a well-balanced diet and avoid herbal or detox supplements. Fortunately, Noom can provide you with the healthy food and beverages you need for long-term success.
8. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is known to reduce fatigue and improve the function of the immune system. In addition, it supports digestion and helps to eliminate toxins. A study published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience found that it reduced depression and enhanced memory in mice.
Research has shown that aloe vera has anti-diabetic properties. One double-blind randomized controlled trial found that oral administration of aloe vera syrup significantly reduced HbA1C, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in prediabetic patients.
Studies have also shown that acemannan, which is found in aloe vera, promotes gastrointestinal health by increasing short-chain fatty acids and enhancing bacterial species, including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. It can also help to decrease symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), such as heartburn, food regurgitation, and abdominal pain in a Balb/c model of alcohol-induced gastritis.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a common kitchen ingredient that has gained popularity in the wellness world. It’s touted as a natural Jack-of-all-trades remedy for weight loss, blood sugar control, and even detoxification.
ACV can be used topically to ease dandruff, relieve foot odor, and cure warts, among other skin benefits. It also helps lower cholesterol and improve heart health.
However, not all of these claims have been validated by science. To get to the bottom of this wellness fad, we consulted with three registered dieticians: Ashley Koff, RD and CEO of The Better Nutrition Program; Dana Kofsky, health coach and wellness stylist at Wellness Styled; and Sammi Brondo, RD. Read on to learn more about what’s behind this latest detox trend.
10. Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract is packed with natural polyphenols that assist your body’s natural detox process. They directly impact your liver, the body’s main detox organ.
Health Canada recently ordered a more explicit warning on over-the-counter green tea extract supplements after a 17-year-old girl in Cornwall, Ont., suffered severe liver and kidney damage while taking them. The Detox Supplements contain a highly concentrated version of green tea leaves and are known as thermogenic, enhancing metabolism and boosting caloric burn.
However, green tea extract can be toxic in large doses and may impair iron absorption in some people. For this reason, it’s best to avoid it altogether and instead follow a diet full of whole foods and healthy snacks that boost your metabolism. Talk to your doctor before you start a detox. They’ll be able to recommend the best options for you.
