Does A Detox Work?
How does a detox actually work? Marketing for detox products tend to lend the impression that the liver might be like a sponge-filter that you can flush toxins out of and pump it full of clean ingredients. The fact that this concept isn’t accurate is both good news and bad news. The good news is that the liver doesn’t need help detoxifying itself. It does it on it’s own, and if it doesn’t it’s liver failure. Eating clean, and moderating drinking are the main two ways to protect liver health, and I would also like to add excess acetaminophen (Tylenol) and other medications can be tough on the liver.
Huffpost and The Guardian both conclude similarly that any popular detox and cleansing diets probably feel beneficial because of what they eliminate toxins for a few days, but not because of any magical ingredients in most powders, shakes, juices, etc. With that in mind, any fitness or spa products labeled as “detox” probably aren’t necessary in order to boost liver function. However, there are tons of nutritious foods that can be enjoyed regularly (instead of cramming it all into a set stretch of time) that will regularly help support bile and liver function, which is what it comes down to for liver function.
Detox Super Ingredients:
Milk Thistle (usually a tea)
Dandelion GreensDandelion Root (tea)
TurmericNaturally purple or blue foods: blackberries, blueberries, beets, red cabbage, purple cauliflower etc
PS: Activated Charcoal does help move toxins through the system by way of adhesion. Stay tuned for more.
Brooke's Take: I am currently doing a relaxed detox as I write this. I will post my personal methods on the soon-to-be Pendulum blog. I am using blue spirulina, dandelion, and winter spices like chai to support recovery after the holiday season.