8 months ago
Liver Specialist Debunks Detox Myths
Every January, many people try detoxes like juice cleanses or detox teas to 'reset' their bodies.
But the truth is, your body already has a built-in detox system called the liver, which works with your kidneys and gut to clean out harmful substances.
A liver specialist explains that most healthy people don't need these detoxes, and some can even be harmful.
The liver continuously breaks down chemicals and removes waste through urine and faeces.
Drinking too much alcohol, especially in binges, can overwhelm the liver and cause damage.
While some detox products might make you feel better temporarily, they often don't actually cleanse the liver.
In fact, some supplements can cause liver damage.
The best way to support your liver is to drink alcohol in moderation, eat a healthy diet, stay hydrated, and give your liver time to recover.
So, this January, skip the detox gimmicks and focus on healthy habits instead.
The liver, kidneys, and gut form the body's natural detox system, working continuously to neutralize and remove harmful substances.
Detox trends like juice cleanses and detox teas are often unnecessary and can be harmful, especially with very low calorie regimens or poorly regulated herbal ingredients.
Binge drinking or sustained heavy drinking can overwhelm the liver, leading to damage, inflammation, and scarring.
Some supplements, like high-dose green tea extract, milk thistle, and turmeric, can cause liver inflammation and damage, especially with higher doses and prolonged use.
The best way to support liver health is to keep alcohol within recommended limits, eat a diet rich in fiber and fresh produce, stay hydrated, and allow regular rest days from alcohol.
- Who
- Trish Lalor, Professor in Experimental Hepatology, University of Birmingham
- What
- Explanation of how detoxes do more harm than good and the liver's natural detoxification process
- Where
- The Conversation
- When
- Published on The Conversation
- Why
- To educate people about the liver's natural detoxification process and the potential harms of detox trends
Key facts
- Detox System
- Liver, kidneys, and gut
- Alcohol Processing
- Broken down by liver cells (hepatocytes)
- Detoxification Process
- Continuous, neutralizes chemicals, removes waste via urine and faeces
- Liver Damage Risks
- Binge drinking, sustained heavy drinking, oxidative stress
- Liver Cleanses
- May cause harm with very low calorie regimens or poorly regulated herbal ingredients
- Supplements Risks
- Higher doses and prolonged use increase adverse effects
- Milk Thistle and Turmeric
- Potential benefits in specific liver conditions, but risks with higher doses
- Activated Charcoal
- Non-specific, risky with medication, not a safe response to poisoning
- Coffee Enemas
- Can cause burns, infections, dangerous imbalances, and bowel perforation
- Best Liver Support
- Keeping alcohol within limits, eating a diet rich in fiber and fresh produce, staying hydrated, and allowing regular rest days from alcohol
