Detox & Cleansing
Detox is not a crash diet — it is metabolic housekeeping. The human body detoxifies continuously through the liver, kidneys, gut and skin. The right botanicals support these endogenous pathways: enhancing phase I and II liver enzymes, binding toxins for elimination, and providing the fiber that carries them out. This page maps the actives we standardize for detoxification support.
How Detoxification Works in the Body
Endogenous detoxification occurs in three phases:
| Phase | What Happens | Supportive Actives |
|---|---|---|
| Phase I (Bioactivation) | Cytochrome P450 enzymes oxidize toxins, making them more water-soluble for Phase II | Cruciferous extracts (DIM, I3C), N-acetyl cysteine |
| Phase II (Conjugation) | Toxins are conjugated with glutathione, glucuronide, sulfate or glycine for excretion | Milk thistle (silymarin), NAC, curcumin, methionine |
| Phase III (Elimination) | Conjugated toxins are excreted via bile (gut) or kidneys (urine); fiber prevents reabsorption | Inulin, psyllium, chlorella, spirulina |
The Detox & Cleansing Toolkit
| Active | Grade | Detox Function | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk Thistle Extract | Silymarin 80% | Liver cell protection; glutathione support | Silymarin stabilizes hepatocyte membranes and upregulates glutathione |
| Dandelion Root | 10:1 extract | Mild diuretic; bile flow stimulation | Taraxasterol supports cholagogue activity |
| Inulin | 90% (chicory) | Phase III elimination; gut barrier | Soluble fiber binds bile-conjugated toxins; prebiotic for gut microbiome |
| Chlorella | Broken-cell wall | Heavy metal binding | Cell wall cellulose and sporopollenin chelate metals |
| Curcumin | 95% | Phase II enzyme induction; anti-inflammatory | Upregulates Nrf2 pathway; glutathione-S-transferase |
| Psyllium Husk | 85% fiber | Colonic transit; toxin carry-out | Insoluble + soluble fiber bulk for regular elimination |
| Spirulina | Phycocyanin 15% | Antioxidant; metal chelation | Phycocyanin chelates heavy metals; provides protein-bound antioxidants |
Reference Detox Programs
7-Day Reset Sachet
Milk thistle 80% 300 mg + inulin 3,000 mg + dandelion 10:1 200 mg + chlorella 500 mg. One sachet daily for 7 days. Supports liver phase II conjugation and phase III elimination simultaneously.
Daily Liver Support Capsule
Milk thistle 80% 400 mg + curcumin 95% 100 mg (with piperine) + NAC 200 mg. Two capsules daily for sustained liver support and phase II enzyme induction. Position for daily-use supplement lines.
The Detox-Weight Management Connection
Detoxification and weight management are metabolically linked. Many environmental toxins (BPA, phthalates, organochlorine pesticides) are lipophilic — they accumulate in adipose tissue. During weight loss, fat stores release these stored toxins back into circulation. A detox-support formula taken alongside a weight-management program can help the liver process the released toxin load efficiently.
Clinical insight: We recommend pairing detox support with weight-management actives during the first 2-4 weeks of a caloric-deficit program, when stored toxins are mobilized most rapidly. View Weight Management actives →
Compliance & Claims
The word detox carries regulatory risk in many markets. We provide claim-safe language libraries for destination markets:
- US (FDA): Supports the body’s natural detoxification process (structure-function)
- EU (EFSA): Contributes to liver function (art. 13 health claim for choline)
- Australia (FSANZ): Supports waste elimination (fiber claim)
Our artwork team reviews every label against destination-market regulations before production.