Considering a Liver Detox? Read This First

When it comes to detox, your liver is a superstar. This organ plays a central role in removing harmful substances from the body — and it does it without extra help from so-called liver detoxes or cleanses.

So what are those products for? Why are they popular, and could they actually be harmful to your health? This article will give you an overview and key facts you need to know before you jump into the trend.

What are liver detoxes and cleanses?

There is a wide variety of liver detox programs, supplements, and other aids available on the market. Manufacturers may claim that their products support weight or fat loss, increased energy levels, improved digestion, and toxin elimination.

While this might sound enticing, none of these detoxes or cleanses have been proven to do any of these things. In fact, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH) recommends being cautious about false advertising of these products.

According to the NIH, there are few research studies on these detoxification programs. Moreover, the available ones are of low quality due to small sample sizes, lack of peer review, and overall design problems.

Your liver: the body's natural detox machine

Your body does detoxification on its own — with the liver taking the main role in this process.

The liver is the biggest organ in the human body. It plays a vital role in metabolism and detoxification by converting harmful substances into harmless ones.

The liver helps to filter out alcohol, harmful by-products of certain processes (e.g., ammonia from protein metabolism), and other so-called ‘toxins.’ A healthy liver does not need external help to detoxify the body.

Liver detox: addressing common myths

Let’s look at some of the myths regarding liver health and liver cleanses.

Myth #1: liver cleanses are needed for daily health or after overindulgence

Medical experts would tell you to be careful when seeing promises of detoxification on various wellness products.

A healthy liver can detoxify the body on its own, so there is no need for any external assistance to enhance its efficiency. In fact, the ingredients found in these detoxes most likely will not do much regarding your liver health — or your health in general.

Even if you overindulge, such as from alcohol intake, a healthy liver will still function properly on its own. None of these cleanses will undo the damage.

In cases of impaired liver function, supplements are also unlikely to be beneficial. It is crucial to seek help from your doctor for any liver health concerns.

Myth #2: liver cleanses help you lose weight safely

Some of these liver cleanses promise to help shed pounds effortlessly. However, there are two main things you have to know about them.

First, they may lead to weight loss — but only because of extremely low caloric intake.

Secondly, this type of diet could be considered a yo-yo diet. Once the diet is stopped, people tend to gain the weight back. A low-calorie diet can also reduce the basal metabolic rate — this is why some people might even gain more weight back.

Myth #3: liver cleanses prevent or correct liver disease

No supplement can treat any disease. Cleanses or detoxes will not repair liver cells, nor will they improve liver function.

The liver repairs itself. It may grow to its original size even after up to 90% of it has been removed. However, this organ might not function properly if it is severely damaged or if a disease progresses, requiring the person to get a transplant.

Potential dangers of liver detoxes and supplements

The FDA does not approve any dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they are released to the market.

This means that dietary supplements are not supervised like prescription drugs. While the FDA can flag and remove unsafe and illegal products from the market, you must still be cautious when purchasing dietary supplements and should consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before doing so.

Additionally, ingredients or methods used in detoxes can sometimes be harmful.

For instance, green tea extract, commonly found in detox products, has been linked to several cases of acute liver injuries. As Dr. Nayan Patel, PharmD, mentioned to WellnessPulse, herbs such as kava and comfrey are other active ingredients that might pose a risk to liver health. In general, you have to be cautious when taking any dietary supplement and watch out for any potential signs of side effects.

The liver already has built-in detoxification mechanisms, and overloading it with poorly studied products may do more harm than good, especially when those products interfere with natural antioxidant defenses.

Dr. Nayan Patel, PharmD

What really works for liver health? Evidence-based strategies

While supplements are unlikely to contribute to liver health, you can take these steps to support it:

• Avoid alcohol. As highlighted by WHO, no amount of alcohol drinks is safe for our health.
• Aim to have a well-balanced diet. This could include limiting the amount of ultra-processed food, added sugar, and saturated fats. Incorporate vegetables and fruits into your diet.
• If your weight is above the healthy range, consider losing some. Having a body weight above the healthy range is considered to be a risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

However, if you have impaired liver function or a liver disease, it is important to adhere to the treatment plan provided by your healthcare provider.

We also asked Dr. Patel to give his insights regarding the best approaches after overindulgence.

After overeating or alcohol intake, the most effective strategy is to give your body the tools it needs to recover: hydration, rest, and whole-food nutrition. Supporting the body’s antioxidant systems, including compounds like glutathione, and consuming cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, arugula, and Brussels sprouts) can aid natural detox processes. Quick cleanses are often disruptive, while steady support is more sustainable and effective.

Dr. Nayan Patel, PharmD

When to seek medical advice

TOC: When to seek medical advice

If you are concerned about your liver function or have any symptoms you think might be related to it, it is best to consult your doctor for further assessment.

If you are not experiencing any symptoms, you can ask your healthcare provider to assess your risks and potentially order screenings for certain liver diseases such as hepatitis C.

Final thoughts

Liver cleansing products are largely unsupported by evidence. Moreover, they are potentially harmful to your liver or overall health.

“Detox is not a one-time event, but a daily biological process that functions best when we reduce the toxic burden and provide what the body needs to do its job efficiently,” explains Dr. Patel to WellnessPulse.

If you are experiencing any symptoms that might be related to liver function, it is crucial to talk about them with your doctor, who will assess your situation.

You can support your liver and overall health by following a healthy diet, minimizing alcohol consumption (or omitting it completely), and maintaining a healthy weight range.