Liver Detox, Heavy-Metal Detox and Parasite Cleanse Claims Checked

Start here

This page is information only and gives no cleanse, fasting, chelation or supplement protocol. Poisoning is an emergency: in the United States call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 if someone is very ill, and see poisoning: what to do first. Yellow skin or eyes, swelling of the belly or legs, easy bruising, changes in stool or urine color, ongoing diarrhea, blood in stool, or unexplained weight loss need a doctor, not a cleanse. [1][2] Do not change prescribed medicines because of any cleanse claim.

What "detox" programs are

NCCIH describes "detoxes" and "cleanses" as diets, regimens and therapies suggested to remove toxins, lose weight or promote health, including fasting, juices, supplements, herbs and colon cleansing. [3] It says these programs may be sold commercially, offered at health centers, or be part of naturopathic treatment. [3] This page checks three marketed versions. It does not describe any individual practitioner, and licensed and unlicensed practitioners are discussed on the credentials page.

Evidence labels

No good evidence of benefit, insufficient evidence, marketing claim, and Proper evidence not found (we say what we checked).

1. Liver detox

The claim: a product or program "cleanses" or "detoxifies" the liver. What the liver does: MedlinePlus says the liver helps the body digest food, store energy and remove poisons. [1] Liver damage is checked with imaging and liver function tests. [1] Evidence: A critical review of detox diets said there is very little clinical evidence to support their use, that the few positive studies were hampered by flawed methods and small samples, and that no randomized controlled trials had assessed commercial detox diets in humans. [4] NCCIH says the studies that exist have been of low quality. [3] Label: no good evidence of benefit for liver "detox" in people with a healthy liver; Proper evidence not found in the sources we read (PubMed, NCCIH, MedlinePlus) for a product shown to improve liver health in a randomized trial. Related: for liver-related supplement cautions see liver safety and supplements.

2. Heavy-metal detox

The claim: supplements, clays, foot baths or "chelation" remove stored metals and improve health. What is real: Metals are tested in blood and urine, and it is normal to have some level in the body; high levels may mean poisoning, but not always. [5] Chelation is a prescription treatment for metal poisoning in specific cases and can have serious side effects. [5] Evidence on the marketed use: The FDA has never approved any chelation product for over-the-counter use for any health condition, says chelation can cause serious side effects such as dehydration, kidney failure and death, and says there is no proof that "detoxification" with these products works. [6] A related test, the provoked urine test, is discussed in provoked urine heavy-metal tests: a registry study found a positive predictive value of 4.3%. [7] Label: no good evidence of benefit; evidence of harm for unsupervised use. If a real exposure is suspected (for example, lead from a folk remedy), MedlinePlus lists folk remedies containing lead as one source, which is a medical question. [8] See detox programs and chelation claims and the Biohacking page on detox and chelation claims.

3. Parasite cleanse

The claim: many people have hidden parasites that herbal "cleanses" flush out. What is real: Parasitic infections exist; MedlinePlus says contaminated water can lead to Giardia infections and that medicines are available to treat parasitic infections. [9] An ova and parasite test checks a stool sample under a microscope for parasites and eggs. [2] Many healthy people recover from intestinal parasite infections without treatment, while people with weakened immune systems can have severe, long-lasting diarrhea. [2] Evidence on the marketed use: NPR quotes infectious disease physicians that accurate tests exist and safe, effective prescription treatments exist, that herbal cleanse products have not been evaluated by the FDA, and that people sometimes mistake mucus, undigested fiber or intestinal lining for parasites. [10] They also say laxative-type cleanses can lead to dehydration, malabsorption, nutrient deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances. [10] This is a news report quoting named physicians, not a guideline. Label: no good evidence of benefit (Proper evidence not found: we searched PubMed and found no trial of a parasite cleanse; the physician statements are expert opinion).