In this Quack Asylum episode, Danny and Alan critically examine the claims surrounding “detoxification protocols” – specialized diets, cleanses, or supplements marketed to eliminate toxins from the body for better health.

The central theme is whether these detox plans actually improve health outcomes or if they’re built on pseudoscience and fear.

Many alternative health proponents argue that modern life exposes us to countless toxins that accumulate in our bodies, causing chronic diseases, and thus we must undergo periodic detox regimens to cleanse ourselves.

There is genuine concern about environmental pollutants and chemicals – indeed, numerous substances in our food, water, and air can be harmful at sufficient doses​. Nutritional science also recognizes that certain nutrients (e.g. vitamins, antioxidants) play roles in the body’s natural detox pathways. However, there’s a large gap between acknowledging real toxic exposures versus endorsing commercial “detox” diets or products.

Many people, including health professionals, encounter patients or clients interested in detox plans, so understanding the science (or lack thereof) behind these claims is important.

Timestamps

• [03:20 ] Claim 1 – Mark Hyman
• [06:10 ] The purpose of today’s episode
• [08:22 ] Claim 2 – Chris Kresser
• [11:30 ] Detoxification Pathways in the Body
• [25:46 ] Glutathione, heavy metals and other nutrients
• [50:30 ] Do nutrients support detox pathways
• [55:20 ] Unhinged claims: Mold and mycotoxin toxicity
• [01:04:54 ] One more unhinged claim
• [01:09:10 ] Conclusions

Related Resources

• Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium
• Join the Sigma email newsletter for free
• Go to episode page
• Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy course