Detox and cleanse supplement claims: what to check first

A "detox" or "cleanse" claim usually means the product will remove "toxins" from your body, often while helping you lose weight. The claim rarely names the toxin, says how it is measured or explains how the product removes it. The NIH's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says the research on detox programs in people is small and low in quality, so treat the word as marketing until the page shows otherwise.

This guide explains what the term is used for, what government sources say, and how to read a detox sales page before paying. It is general information, not medical advice.

What do "detox" and "cleanse" actually mean?

There is no single meaning. The NCCIH describes "detoxification" diets, regimens and therapies as approaches suggested as ways to remove toxins from your body, lose weight or promote health. The approaches it lists include fasting, drinking only juices, eating only certain foods, using dietary supplements or other commercial products, using herbs, cleansing the colon with enemas, laxatives or colon hydrotherapy, reducing environmental exposures and using a sauna.

The NCCIH separates these from chelation therapy, a medical procedure the CDC recommends in some specific serious cases for removing toxic metals. A supplement page that borrows the language of poisoning and treatment is not offering that. When a page says "detox" it usually means a consumer product, and the label alone tells you nothing about what it does.

What does the research say about detox products?

The NCCIH reports that only a small number of studies of detox programs in people exist. Some showed positive results on weight, fat loss, insulin resistance or blood pressure, but the studies were of low quality, with design problems, few participants or no peer review.

It also cites two reviews. A 2015 review concluded there was no compelling research to support detox diets for weight management or for eliminating toxins from the body. A 2017 review said juicing and detox diets can cause initial weight loss because of low calorie intake, but that they tend to lead to weight gain once a person returns to normal eating. The NCCIH adds that there are no studies of the long-term effects of detox programs.

That is what to hold in mind when a page shows a dramatic before-and-after photo. Short-term weight change on a very low intake is not the same thing as a demonstrated way of removing toxins.

Which detox claims should raise your guard?

• An unnamed "toxin." If the page never says which substance is removed, or how anyone measured it, the claim cannot be checked.
• A dark color or a big overnight number. Our Xitox review explains that the pads turning dark is a documented reaction with moisture and heat, not a demonstrated way of pulling anything from the bloodstream. Our Medicinal Red Tea Detox review flags a promise of flushing up to 7 pounds of water overnight that no study of that blend supports.
• Branded "complexes." Names like "Liver Purification Complex" sound clinical. In the Liv Pure review there is no milligram amount for any of the ten ingredients, and the review cites published research finding that even a large oral dose of glutathione did not raise blood levels in healthy adults.
• "Clinically proven" without a study. The HepatoBurn review notes repeated "clinically-proven" wording with no reference list or link to any trial.
• Authority without a name. The Liver Health and Detox Guide review found evidence-based and proven language with no sources and no named author.

What do the FDA and FTC say about these products?

The NCCIH says the FDA and the FTC have taken action against several companies selling detox or cleansing products because they contained hidden ingredients that may pose a significant health risk, were marketed with false claims that they could treat serious diseases, or, in the case of colon-cleansing devices, were marketed for unapproved uses.

The FDA's page on weight loss products warns that many products claiming to help with weight loss, including diet pills, fat-burning pills, supplements and teas, are likely to be contaminated with dangerous hidden ingredients. It says these products are sometimes falsely advertised as dietary supplements or all-natural treatments, often have multiple positive reviews or spread on social media, and that its list covers only a small fraction of contaminated products. If a product is not on the list, that does not mean it is safe.

The FDA also explains that under the law it is not authorized to approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed. On the advertising side, the FTC's health products guidance says claims about the health benefits or safety of dietary supplements generally need competent and reliable scientific evidence. A page that says "proven" is making a claim that has to hold up.

What can go wrong with a cleanse?

The NCCIH lists specific risks, without saying any particular product causes them:

• Laxatives in some programs can cause diarrhea, and severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration and malabsorption.
• Drinking large quantities of water and herbal tea while eating no food for days can lead to dangerous electrolyte imbalances.
• Unpasteurized juices can carry harmful bacteria, and the illnesses can be serious for children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
• Juices made from high-oxalate foods, such as leafy greens and beets, can be a concern for people prone to kidney stones.
• Colon cleansing procedures may have side effects, some serious, and harm is more likely with a history of gastrointestinal disease, colon surgery, severe hemorrhoids, kidney disease or heart disease.
• Severely restricting calories or food types usually does not lead to lasting weight loss and may not supply all the nutrients you need.

People with diabetes should follow the eating plan from their health care team and check with their providers before making major changes.

What should you check before buying a detox product?

1. Ask which toxin the page names and how it says the product removes it.
2. Look for the full ingredient list with a milligram amount for every ingredient. Hidden amounts hide the dose you would be taking.
3. Follow every study link. Check that it tested the same ingredient at a similar amount, in people, for the same purpose.
4. Read the health disclaimer. A disclaimer about earnings or a missing one is a warning sign.
5. Search the FDA's weight loss product notifications for the product name, and remember an empty search proves nothing.
6. Read the total on the order form, since extra offers can already be in the cart. Our review method explains how we score refunds and pricing.
7. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first if you take medication, have a medical condition or are pregnant.

You can compare how reviews treat these claims in the weight management and energy and wellness categories.

FAQ

Do detox supplements remove toxins from the body?

The NCCIH says a 2015 review found no compelling research supporting detox diets for eliminating toxins from the body. Ask any seller for a study of the product itself, in people, before accepting the claim.

Are detox teas and juices safe?

It depends on the product and the person. The NCCIH lists risks such as dehydration from laxatives, electrolyte problems from extreme fasting, and illness from unpasteurized juice. Read the full label and ask a doctor or pharmacist before trying one.

Why do I lose weight on a cleanse?

According to a 2017 review cited by the NCCIH, juicing and detox diets can cause initial weight loss because of low calorie intake, but weight tends to return once normal eating resumes.

Is intermittent fasting a detox?

The NCCIH says some fasting programs are advertised with detox claims, while intermittent and periodic fasting are being researched for health, but there are no firm conclusions about effects on human health. It also notes fasting can cause headaches, fainting, weakness and dehydration.