7 Supplements to Detoxify Your Body
You have wondered why many people are talking about the need to cleanse and detoxify our bodies? Our society today has had extraordinary technological breakthroughs that have simplified and improved many areas of our lives. Unfortunately, this technology has also left a mist of toxicity that is affecting all life on Earth. Human health in the 21st century and beyond will be based on our ability to limit exposure, adapt to environmental stressors, detoxify, and heal.
We have over a hundred thousand industrial chemicals in our immediate environment that we are exposed to daily. Researchers have now found through various studies that the average individual living today has at least 700 known toxins in their body. These toxins can be found in every major area of the body including the blood, skin, fat tissue, vital organs, and even in the brain (1, 2, 3, 4).
Why We Need to Detoxify
These toxins affect our hormones, our complexion, our energy, and our mood and mental function. The purpose of this article is to help you understand how toxins are classified and what systems are critical to the detoxification process. Additionally, I review 7 supplements to detoxify your body that I use regularly myself and with clients to help them adapt to the toxic stressors of our modern society.
Here are the most common symptoms associated with a build-up of toxins in the body. If you are struggling with these, it will be important to begin a process to strengthen your major elimination systems in order to detoxify your body.
2 Major Classifications of Toxins:
When it comes to toxins, some of them are produced within our body, while others are produced outside of our body and make their way into our body through ingestion. While we will never completely eliminate these toxins, our job is to the best we can to reduce our exposure.
Exotoxins: These are the toxins that most of us immediately think about. They are chemicals or hazardous substances that come from outside of our body and make their way in.
This would include the toxins from the air we breathe, the household cleaning agents we use, personal hygiene products, food and drinks we consume, lawn care products, car exhaust, and much more. In addition, we are dealing with environmental radiation and electromagnetic stressors from our portable devices and cell towers.
Endotoxins: These are substances that are produced within our body that are potentially hazardous to our system. This would include toxins produced by our gut bacteria, molecules formed by incomplete liver conjugation, and ammonia which can rise due to inadequate kidney filtration.
The exposure to many of these chemicals is normal and actually considered a hormetic stressor that improves our body’s ability to handle and adapt to stress. However, when we get an overabundance of these molecules, our system becomes overwhelmed and unable to adapt.
5 Regions of Detoxification:
Toxins can and do affect every system and organ of the body. However, there are 5 major areas we look at when it comes to effective detoxification.
Each of these areas must be working well in order to properly neutralize and detoxify the hazardous compounds we are exposed, too.
Cellular Detoxification:
We have trillions of cells within the body and they each contain antioxidant systems that help to protect the intracellular organelles. When the cells are unable to detoxify, they end up accumulating excessive toxins and oxidative stress that damage the mitochondria and DNA. Over time, this process creates DNA mutations that can lead to chronic diseases such as cancer and autoimmunity.
Blood Purification:
As impurities are able to get into the bloodstream they provide a consistent stream of flow into the various cells, tissues, and organs including the brain. Additionally, these toxins can damage the red blood cells and reduce the body’s ability to bring oxygen and nutrients to the cells. Over time, toxic blood leads to cardiovascular and neurological challenges.
Liver Detoxification:
The liver is the primary organ that deactivates toxins. This process transforms toxin debris into a form that allows it to be removed by the body.
As the level of toxic burden grows, the liver gets more sluggish and overwhelmed and unable to neutralize hazardous chemicals in our bloodstream. It is very important to strengthen the liver in order to adequately detoxify the body.
Gut Movement:
Bowel motility is an essential component of healthy toxic elimination. We should be moving our bowels at least 1-2 times per day and our food wastes should be getting out of our system within a 24-hour period.
This means that if we consume a meal at 12 PM on Wednesday, then we should have eliminated all the waste from that meal by 12 PM on Thursday at the latest. If the bowel material is able to sit in our intestines, it becomes a breeding ground for bad bacteria, yeast, and parasites.
This leads to a fermentation and putrefaction process that allows for enormous amounts of endotoxins to be released throughout the bloodstream. This massive release of toxic compounds can overwhelm the liver and slow down the body’s ability to detoxify altogether.
Kidney Cleansing:
The kidneys are critical to filtering and removing toxins through the urinary system. Additionally, it takes urea out of the body and when it is functioning poorly it can lead to elevated ammonia, which is extremely toxic to the brain.
Poorly functioning kidneys are also major contributors to blood pressure problems and cardiovascular disease. It can also lead to swelling in the legs and sodium and potassium imbalances. Read this article for an in-depth kidney cleanse program.
Best Supplements To Detoxify:
There are many lifestyle interventions to help enhance our detoxification pathways, including a healthy diet, intermittent fasting, exercise, super hydration, juicing vegetables, cleansing foods, infrared sauna, deep breathing, and more.
I have written extensively about all of these cleansing strategies in the past, but this article is meant to focus on some of my favorite supplements to help detoxify. This is NOT meant to be an exhaustive list, just some of the top things I use to help my clients detoxify their bodies.
Glutathione:
Glutathione (GSH) is a very special antioxidant compound that provides the greatest antioxidant protection within the body (5). Every cell in the body produces glutathione. Many longevity scientists believe that the level of glutathione in our cells is predictive of how long we will live (6,7, 8).
Glutathione has been labeled the “master antioxidant” due to its essential role in maintaining all other essential antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E in their active forms.
Glutathione is critical to cellular detoxification as it acts like the cell’s security guard, protecting the delicate genetic material from free radical stress. It is estimated that every cell within the body must face 10,000 strikes by free radicals each day. Glutathione is the key player in disarming these free radicals and cleaning up any mess they make before lasting damage occurs.
Recommended Glutathione Supplementation
Glutathione is rapidly broken down in our digestive tract, so supplementing is tricky. Research has shown that three forms have a direct impact on glutathione levels. All three of these work great, so experiment and see what works best for you.
1. N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
This compound is a precursor to the major antioxidant glutathione. Research has indicated that it is very effective for upregulating glutathione levels, reducing oxidative stress in the body, and helping the liver to detoxify.
Recommended Dosage: 400-1200 mg daily with or without food in 2-3 dosages throughout the day.
2. Liposomal Glutathione
This is a great form to supplement with as it is glutathione combined with liposomes. The liposomes help to get the glutathione through the digestive tract and into the cells. Be sure to avoid the use of soy lecithin with this and opt for a sunflower lecithin instead. This is why I created Glutathione Boost, which is an advanced form of liposomal glutathione.
Recommended Dosage: 100-200 mg taken 1-2 times daily away from food.
3. Acetylated Glutathione
This form of glutathione is very similar to liposomal glutathione in that it passes through the gut and diffusively into the cells of the body. The acetylated bone is then cleaved by enzymes within the cells without requiring any energy expenditure.
Recommended Dosage: 200-500 mg taken 1-2 times daily away from food.
My personal favorite form is the S-Acetylated form due to its superior absorption and perishability compared to NAC and Liposomal glutathione. This is why I created Super glutathione, which is an advanced form of S-Acetylated glutathione.
Alpha Lipoic Acid:
This is a very unique and powerful antioxidant that has both water- and fat-soluble properties. This characteristic means that it can go in and out of major organs such as the brain, liver, and nerves.
Lipoic acid helps to upregulate glutathione levels indirectly by regenerating other antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, and CoQ10. Lipoic acid protects the mitochondria, the energy producing factories of cells, from oxidative stress and toxicity like nothing else (9).
There is tremendous research evidence indicating that ALA maintains insulin sensitivity, optimizes blood sugar levels, and strengthens blood vessels (10, 11). Additionally, it improves adrenal output, strengthens the gut lining, protects against leaky gut syndrome, and helps the liver to detoxify effectively.
ALA also helps to reduce inflammation and balance the tone of the immune system in such a way that it reduces autoimmune activity (12, 13). The versatility of alpha lipoic acid makes it stand out as one of my absolute favorite supplements to help protect the mitochondria and support cellular and liver detoxification.
The R form of alpha lipoic acid is far superior to the S form.
Recommended Dosage: Take 400 – 800 mg of R-alpha lipoic acid daily 1-2 times daily with or without food.
Milk Thistle:
This compound is one of the most powerful liver detoxifying agents. The active compound within milk thistle is called silymarin. Research has demonstrated that milk thistle supplementation helps to boost 2 major intracellular antioxidants, glutathione and superoxide dismutase (14).
One study indicated that silymarin increased glutathione levels in the intestinal and liver cells by 50% (15). This can help protect the intestines from damage leading to leaky gut, ulcers, and colitis. It also helps support the body’s ability to detoxify effectively.
Milk thistle also helps protect the liver, thyroid, and immune system from radiation stress. Gamma radiation is a serious risk factor for the development of thyroid problems and various cancers. Milk thistle is one of the best defenses against the damage that radiation produces (16).
Recommended Dosage: Take 500 – 1000 mg daily in 1-2 dosages with or without food.
Selenium:
Selenium is a trace mineral that acts as an antioxidant that plays a key role in detoxification and immune regulation. There are strong links between selenium deficiencies and the development of autoimmune conditions, especially those affecting the thyroid gland (17, 18).
Selenium also has a strong binding affinity for mercury and other heavy metals. This magnetic like effect sucks these heavy metals out of the bloodstream and creates a new substance such as a Hg (mercury)-Se compound that gets flushed out of the body.
This is a powerful way to remove mercury from the body before it has the opportunity to embed itself in fatty tissue and vital organs and cause health problems (19, 20).
Recommended Dosage: I recommend doing 200-400 mcg of L-selenomethionine daily with or without food for heavy metal detoxification, immune improvements, and thyroid health.
Chlorella and Spirulina:
These single celled algae are potent sources of chlorophyll and trace minerals (21). Chlorophyll is the plant-based compound that allows these organisms to produce energy from photosynthesis or from the sun’s photons.
Chlorophyll also helps to purify the blood by binding to toxins and improving the body’s ability to bring oxygen to cells (22). By improving oxygen delivery to cells, it upregulates the intracellular energy production and antioxidant systems.
Additionally, these algae are a great source of magnesium and zinc, which are a key part of the body’s detoxification system.
In the case of chlorella, it contains the phytonutrient sporopollenin, which is able to bind neurotoxic debris extremely well (23). This includes heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium, and lead, and biotoxins like mold, Lyme, and tetanus. and tuberculosis toxins.
Best Dosage: 2 – 4 grams taken in multiple dosages in either capsules, tablets, or dried powder with or without food. I personally use organic supergreens that contain spirulina, chlorella. and tons of other cleansing green juices to help detoxify the body on a daily basis.
Activated Charcoal:
Activated charcoal is a unique compound that acts like a sponge, gobbling up toxic debris and expelling it from our system through the stool. A sponge absorbs toxins, but the toxins can be released by a simple squeeze. Charcoal on the other hand, “adsorbs” rather than “absorbs,” material, meaning that it is able to grab and hold onto substances at a molecular level so they are unable to escape.
Activated charcoal can take in outside materials weighing over 100 times its own weight (24). This is unheard of with any other natural substance although bentonite clay is close behind. This is why charcoal is used to pull toxic oil spills from the oceans and lakes and why it is commonly used in emergency rooms for individuals who overdose on drugs. It is literally lifesaving in both of these circumstances!
Research studies have shown that activated charcoal decreases the toxic load on the body by over 60% with daily use (25). This is due to its ability to bind and grab up chlorine, pesticides and herbicides, bacteria, viruses, yeast, parasites, toxic chemicals, and endotoxic metabolites.
Recommended Dosage: For best results take 500-1000 mg daily on an empty stomach away from food or other supplements. I recommend it at night before bed.
You can take up to 2 grams – 3x daily if you are doing a stronger cleanse. If you experience constipation while using, try adding in more magnesium, water and possibly fiber. If constipation persists, back down your dosage. I use Activated charcoal.
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Why must we eliminate potatoes, quinoa etc. if they are organic?
Hey Annette these foods are very insulinogenic and cause blood sugar to rise. I generally recommend avoiding these and following more of a high-fat, low-carb diet
https://drjockers.com/5-benefits-healing-diet/
Is it safe to take extra selenium if I still have mercury/silver fillings? Will the selenium pull that mercury into my blood stream? Thank you.
Hey Nina, using some extra selenium should help to counteract the mercury released from the fillings and keep it from getting deposited in the tissues.
I have a fibroid of about 3 centimeters. My doctor suggested a IUD to control the bleeding and cramps. I just had this done a week ago and am due to have my period in 10 days. I read in some information about Chastberry supplement help with the cramps. And i have also heard of milk thistle which i will be purchasing today to help cleanse the liver.
Hey Deanna, thanks for sharing! This article may be helpful for you: https://drjockers.com/8-strategies-relieve-pms-symptoms/
I need a doctor to help me detox after mercury amalgan removal I had in my mouth for 50 years. Nobody in Richmond, Va has a clue. Im a single woman on disability.
Will Dr Jockers help me?
Hey Jeanne! Send an email to michael@drjockers.com explaining your situation
Hi Dr Jockers and thank you for the great artickles.
I starte up with glutathione and felt so sick. Had a massive breakouts and the fatigue was so bad. Is this because I am allergic or could ut be detox?
Hello Dr., Thank you very much for helping you and providing helpful advice to patients. My problem is that I have been infected with Pixel Gland for four years and as a result of tsh analysis, I have never fixed a time that is 19 times high and up to 7, I have high cholesterol and weight gain, I gained 15 kilos during the four years, From severe fatigue in my body and forgetting, I want your doctor advice please.
Doctor Jockers,
I noticed that my tsh was going up and up over time. I spoke with a naturopath from life extension magazine. He suggested that I get my reverse t3 checked, so I did. The doctor suspected that t4 was not converting to t3 and was CO getting to reverse t3. My reverse t3 was on the high end but still “within normal limits” so the local endo-cronologist wont treat me with cytomel which the naturopath Dr suggested that I need. Is there something I can do to help my thyroid? I even have three nodules too. I appreciate anything you would advice. Also, I know you are a Christian man and I appreciate that you are not afraid to speak of faith. May God Almighty bless you, your family, and your practice. You are a gift to everyone who will receive.
Mary
Hey Mary, thank you for reading and sharing your situation! Here is a great article to get started: https://drjockers.com/thyroid-health/
Dr. Jockers,
Pleasure to reach out to you…. what would you recommend for someone with Lyme Bacteria, high EBV titres (257) aND HSV 2? I’m worried it has crossed the blood brain barrier and is affecting me neurologically, also have the sensation of full/head tightness. (Encephalitis possibly). I’ve done silver infusions, MTHFR infusions with C, D and glutathione infusions. Also doing detox baths daily, coffee colonics and using charcoal, acetylcysteine, frankincense, aND glutamine powder to heal any gut issues. Unfortunately my GP isnt taking me as a patient any longer and I’ll have to find a new one. I am assuming i need a spinal tap to see what viruses/bacteria are crossing the bb barrier. Any help is GREATLY appreciated.
Kindly,
Jeni
Integrative Nutrition Health Coach
Hello Dr. Jockers,
I’ve struggled with migraine headaches for years now. Usually Excedrin alleviates the pain, but this past weekend after a run in the morning I I knew I was going to have a headache. Through out the day I took a total of six Excedrin and didn’t take the pain away. Sunday morning I went to urgent care and they gave me a shot of (Toradol 60 mg) that helped. When I went to bed around 10 pm, I felt the headache coming back. Monday morning I made an appointment to see my primary doctor, she gave me another shot (Toradol 30 mg) along with (Zofran 4 mg) and prescribed (sumatriptan 50 mg) that also didn’t help. Tuesday morning I decided to go to the ER they gave me a cocktail of medications (Toradol, Benadryl , and Metoclopramide). Today Wednesday is a better day for me, but still not 100% back to myself. Any information you may provide will be so helpful! Thank you in advance for all that you do.
We have an article on this Erika! https://drjockers.com/10-natural-ways-headaches/
I hope it helps! You may also consider investigating factors like nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, allergies, toxins in your living or work environment (like mold), and other potential stressors if this is something has been going on for a while!
Good article among many…..But tell me please, in a clear statement, does the activated charcoal enter the blood stream to cleanse organs? Am lost on this.
No it does not Davie. It is best for binding and eliminating toxins in the digestive tract!
What vitamine and mineral totally cleanses the bloodstream
Hey Terence, this is a good one here: https://store.drjockers.com/products/biotoxin-binder
I’m currently taking Nordic Natural omega One…560mg+500iuD3.Can I take B12 along with these(0mega one)
Thanks in advance!
These tips are awesome, I was looking for something like that. Thanks!
That is great to hear Mark. Thank you for your feedback!
Hi
Great website and informative. Im subscribed to getting your emails but I have been suffering for chronic hives for years now and my two girls 5&3 years have had eczemas from birth till now. Im hoping that one day i will see an article relating to hives that will help me.
But thanks for blessing us with your knowledge.
Amanda
Hi Amanda, I am sorry that you have suffered for so long! This article can help you understand what is causing your hives as well as the eczema your daughters have: https://drjockers.com/suffering-histamine-intolerance/
Your article is great, thanks! One error that needs correction is where it talks about fermentation and purification when food sits in the bowel too long. It should read “fermentation and putrefaction”
Thank you Gayla! Blessings!
I really appreciate all the information you provide on so many subjects!
However, this is the error I get when trying to Download your Cancer Cleanse Quickstart Guide:
“There are no results for https://digioh.s3.amazonaws.com/vendors/vendor_23621/em_files/em_file_151162/CANCERCLEANSEQUICKSTARTGUIDE_2018.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJ23IM33EG3FDC6XQ”
Could you please explain what I am doing wrong or if you have a new link to this guide?
Also, can you suggest some Essential Oils that are safe for ingestion?
Thanks so much and God bless you & your beautiful family!
Sorry about that Jeanne! James from our IT will contact you today!
Here is a great article on Essential Oils https://drjockers.com/benefits-cooking-essential-oils/
I concur with your thorough delineation of the (7) seven, the immune support regimen, the listing of benefits of and key items for detoxification as I deem all requisite. I would add more, you have in one forum. I would emphasize iodine as you did for magnesium, Vitamin D3 & k2 levels for each be higher. A prevention regimen section may aid many; you cover ample for arrears diagnosis for when people search which is increasingly beneficial, thank you. I query as to the large time lag from first signs to diagnosis to oncology, wherefore a large prevention implementation for change period for active Lab tested change can really occur, but few professionals prescribe, write scripts, nor regimens for meaningful changes irrespective of this opportunity, before a time-lagged future diagnosis. Please state, defining all that most all should engage in prompt, for those desired changes, regardless of diagnosis outcome two and four months, or more later?
Is a partial answer, that inclusive of all your products and links content? The time to stop advances of, shrink tumors, detox, raise immune levels is day one unequivocally is it not. Yes, prevention is less costly and healthier adding to longevity, which not enough practice. Respectfully.
Yes, the goal of this article is to show supplements that can help improve the body’s detoxification systems. Blessings!
Hello Just wanted to know if we can make an appointment with you ? . I had an attack and got diagnosed with Acute pancreatitis I really would like to heal my pancreas with herbs the natural way can you help ? .. Thank you God Bless .
Yes we can help. Here is the info for working with our health coaches online: https://drjockers.lpages.co/long-distance-coaching-dr-jockers/
Green tea was shown to enhance the flow of blood and lower cholesterol. Some men and women drink green tea not just for weight loss but solely to gain from its rich nutrient content. Green tea for weight loss comes in various flavors so it’s possible to pick the one which you enjoy the most and enjoy a cup of it daily.
Have mold toxicity and chemical senstivity and mast cell activation disorder and hoshimotoes and yeast and metal and have cirs and can’t handle air outside here in mountain home idaho or inside something making me taste nonstop metal and wheeze and cough and itching and tissue and brain toxic itching on skin and tiny scabs nose running and burns and eyes sticky and hard to breath and thrush in mouth itching and burning skin and top of roof of mouth itches and hurts to swallow want to itch and dig at skin right nostril keeps running I’m freaking out and tissue And lymph backed up and saying momma outloud and not on purpose
Really sorry to hear this Candy! Here is some helpful information for you here: https://drjockers.com/cirs/
Dr. Jockers.
I am 86 and 20-21 years ago I had hip replacements. Never had any problems until recently, started having pain near my right hip. I did go to a Doctor lst year who did considerable checking, starting with x-ray and then Scans, 2 different types. I took one medication for a week and noticed a little help but did not continue. Here I am with the same issue and thinking maybe a rheumatologist could help.
Sorry to hear this Ronald. Here is a helpful article for you to review: https://drjockers.com/joint-inflammation/
Please need help for tinnitis
Here is a helpful article Karon: https://drjockers.com/tinnitus/
Vitamin D conversion. If someone had issues with liver or kidneys could there be difficulties to be able to absorb vitamin D and convert the vitamin to needed form of vitamin D? Is there any genetics involved with this kind of conversion problem? I know there were many phases with vitamin D travelling through the body. But if there were any blocks on that road what could they be and how they are resolved? Thank you kindly for your knowledge.
Hello Carina, here is an article all about vitamin D resistance: https://drjockers.com/vitamin-d-resistance-and-autoimmunity/
Thank you Dr Jockers for your incredibly articulate and well-illustrated articles.
Fortunately I am still quite healthy at 87 and have just completed a 5-day fast according to your instructions. I am now planning your recommended refeeding
Phase I.
Great to hear this Ian! Blessings to you!
My daughter has Hyperhidrosis. I have read it could be from Mercury poisoning from vaccines. What would be the best detox to do.
Hello Roz, we have a great article on this here: https://drjockers.com/excessive-sweating/
I’m a little confused because the blue link says Coconut Activated Charcoal and the label doesn’t state anywhere of this having Coconut in this product.
Yes it is made from coconut husk