Detox & Cleanse Claims

What are detoxes and cleanses?

Detoxification diets, regimens and therapies, sometimes called detoxes or cleanses, are suggested as ways to remove toxins, lose weight or promote health. Approaches include fasting, juice-only diets, eating only certain foods, supplements or other commercial products, herbs, colon cleansing with enemas, laxatives or colonic irrigation, reducing environmental exposures, and saunas. [1]

What the research says

NCCIH says there have been only a small number of studies of detoxification programs in people. Some had positive results on weight and fat loss, insulin resistance and blood pressure, but the studies were low quality, with design problems, few participants or no peer review. A 2015 review concluded there was no compelling research to support detox diets for weight management or eliminating toxins. A 2017 review said juicing and detox diets can cause early weight loss from low calories but tend to lead to weight gain when normal eating resumes. There are no studies on long-term effects. [1]

Safety

The FDA and Federal Trade Commission have taken action against several companies selling detox or cleanse products that contained hidden ingredients, were marketed with false claims to treat serious diseases, or (for colon-cleansing devices) were marketed for unapproved uses. Unpasteurized juices can make people sick, some detox juices are high in oxalate, laxatives can cause diarrhea and dehydration, and drinking only water and tea for days can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalances. [1]

Charcoal, clay and salts

Activated charcoal is a real emergency-room treatment for some poisonings, but Poison Control does not recommend using over-the-counter products at home for poisoning, and its usefulness in cosmetics and toothpaste is questionable. [2] We found no sourced evidence that charcoal, bentonite clay or Epsom salt baths remove toxins from healthy people, so we make no such claim.

What to do instead

If you are worried about a real exposure (lead, a poison, a medicine overdose), that is a medical question. Call Poison Control in the US at 1-800-222-1222, or see a clinician. [3]