Reviewed by Dr. Sharon Stills, NMD
Your body is detoxing all the time. The natural processes of metabolism create streams of waste, and on top of that, you’re also ingesting, inhaling, and absorbing pathogens, chemicals, allergens and other toxins from the environment around you. As a result, your body must work continually to deactivate and eliminate these harmful substances.
Natural detoxification is a collection of responses that occur throughout your body, literally without pause. Some of what your body flushes out comes from within, including cellular waste and spent hormone metabolites. However, much of what your body must neutralize and expel comes from toxins you are exposed to every day.
The human body is remarkably successful at disassembling and removing toxic substances and metabolic wastes. This is why when these detoxing abilities stop working so well, you notice it.
Too many toxins = lots of potential symptoms
Diet and lifestyle choices can influence your ability to detoxify, but so can genetic make-up and extended exposure to chemicals and xenoestrogens you come in contact with every day. When toxins build up inside the body, a wide range of effects are possible, with some potentially serious consequences.
Symptoms of Toxin Overload
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Hives
- Coughing
- Sinus congestion
- Irritability
- Weight gain
- Indigestion
- Skin rashes
- Sneezing
- Insomnia or sleepiness
- Fuzzy thinking
- Bloating
- Acne
- Wheezing
- Backache
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Joint pain
- Chest pain
- Allergy-like responses
Blocked or impaired detoxification is often at the root of a woman’s symptoms and health issues, including hormonal imbalance. Toxin overload can also intensity other internal imbalances, including those involving digestion and inflammation.
Are you experiencing signs that your body’s hardworking detox systems could use some added support? Here’s where vitamins and supplements come in.
Learn which natural compounds can add critical support in helping to repair and optimize your detox pathways.
Best vitamins and supplements for detox support
Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that promote a healthy gut environment. They play a crucial role in detoxification by optimizing digestion and nutrient absorption, reducing inflammation, and supporting immune function. Incorporating probiotics into your routine can enhance your body’s ability to eliminate toxins.
What does the research say? A 2022 study investigating the effects of probiotics on liver function and detoxification in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease found that probiotic supplementation improved liver enzyme levels, regulated lipid metabolism and reduced insulin resistance. You can reap these benefits by taking a superior probiotics supplement like our exclusive multi-strain Super Biotic formula.
Green Tea
The liver is your body’s filtration system. It filters out toxins carried in your blood and converts them into waste products that your body expels through your urine. Green tea is rich in powerful antioxidants called catechins that can help protect the liver and prevent liver cell damage, optimizing liver function. Compounds in green tea also promote enzyme activity in the liver that helps to make the organ’s detoxification function more efficient.
DIM
When you eat cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli or Brussels sprouts, your stomach acid breaks down a compound in the vegetables called indole-3-carbinol, which then produces a new compound called Diindolylmethane (DIM). DIM plays a role in stimulating natural detoxification enzymes and also supports normal hormone metabolism, including estrogen metabolism — helping to rebalance hormones and reduce hormonal symptoms. Get more DIM by eating cruciferous vegetables or taking a quality DIM supplement.
Glutathione
Often referred to as the “master antioxidant,” glutathione plays a crucial role in cellular detoxification. It helps neutralize harmful substances, supports liver function, and aids in the elimination of heavy metals and toxins from the body. A pilot study published in the journal BMC Gastroenterology examined the effects of glutathione supplementation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study revealed that glutathione supplementation improved liver enzymes, reduced oxidative stress, and enhanced the body’s detoxification capacity.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
NAC is an amino acid derivative that supports liver health and boosts the production of glutathione. NAC also acts directly as a scavenger of free radicals. Food sources of NAC include protein-rich foods such as beef, turkey, eggs, fish and nuts.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a nutrient-rich blue-green algae packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Its detoxifying properties are attributed to chlorophyll, which aids in removing toxins, supports liver function, and boosts the immune system. In animal studies, spirulina supplementation has been shown to significantly reduce the toxic effects of heavy metals, enhance liver function, and promote detoxification processes.
Magnesium
Magnesium is an essential mineral that participates in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including those involved in detoxification. As the body detoxes, the mineral helps prevent depletion of antioxidants by helping maintain sufficient levels of glutathione and other antioxidants in cells. A review published in the journal Magnesium Research highlighted magnesium’s ability to support liver detoxification pathways, while also promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
Tip: For a soothing detox bath, pour a cup of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) and 10 drops of lavender essential oil into the tab. Swirl your hand in the water to dissolve the salts. Detox – and relax!
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is a well-known herb with hepatoprotective properties, meaning it supports liver health. Milk thistle helps enhance liver detoxification pathways, protect liver cells from damage, and aid in the removal of toxins – making it an excellent supplement for overall detoxification.
L-Glutamine
L-glutamine is an amino acid that supports detoxification by cleansing the body from high levels of ammonia. It acts as a buffer and helps convert excess ammonia into other amino acids, amino sugars and urea. L-glutamine also supports gut health and aids in restoration of the intestinal lining. By promoting a healthy gut environment, L-glutamine helps optimize digestion and nutrient absorption, which are crucial for effective detoxification.
Our tips for how to detox – naturally!
- Heal your gut first and foremost, starting with becoming aware of sensitivities and allergies. Your body makes its first pass at detoxifying in the GI tract and the more you can ditch then and there, the better. Try our two week detox diet.
- Detoxify your emotions, through therapy, acupuncture, massage, and/or exercise. Try to resolve toxic relationships and choose enjoyable social activities as often as you can. This mind-body connection matters!
- Talk to a functional medicine practitioner about special testing to determine if you have a genetic polymorphism that affects your ability to detoxify. Take steps to support your liver function as necessary.
- Keep your house clean, and consider investing in air and water purifiers and filters. Change vacuum cleaner bags often, and use “green” cleaners and food storage.
We have many more tips on natural detox! Start here to learn more!
