Detox Products That Work

Detoxification serves several different purposes, according to naturopathic doctor Sara Thyr. Generally, it helps rid your body of toxins, but it may also be used to treat a specific condition, such as autoimmune disorders, fatigue, headache, PMS or skin disorders. Spring and fall are the best times to do a detox, says Thyr. Altering your diet -- for instance, eliminating certain foods while eating more of others -- is a common detox approach. However, some products might also help. Always remember to consult your personal health care provider before you begin using detox products.

Milk Thistle

This herb is a potent detoxifier, helping to remove pollutants and alcohol from the liver, according to Jacqueline Krohn and Frances Taylor, authors of "Natural Detoxification." The active compound in milk thistle is silymarin, which is really a group of antioxidant flavonoids. These flavonoids help to fight free radicals to keep the liver healthy so it can be more efficient at detoxifying the body. Milk thistle also prevents depletion of glutathione, explains Krohn and Taylor. Glutathione is the primary antioxidant that the liver relies on mostly during detoxification.

Probiotics

The intestinal tract is home to trillions of friendly bacteria that play an important role in detoxifying your body and keeping your immune system healthy. They also help your body synthesize vitamins and digest fiber, according to Ann Louise Gittleman, author of "The Fast Track One-Day Diet." Fiber is an important detoxification food; it absorbs toxins in the body and increases bowel activity to eliminate those toxins. Several factors can affect the levels of healthy bacteria in your body, including food you eat, and illness. Furthermore, detoxification itself eliminates some bacteria. Gittleman recommends taking probiotics to restore the levels of these bacteria. Probiotic products come in liquid or capsule form and can also be found in products, such as yogurt.

Vitamin E

This nutrient is found in two forms -- tocopherols and tocotrienols. According to Krohn and Taylor, alpha-tocopherol is the most potent form of vitamin E. It's found naturally in foods, such as green, leafy vegetables, whole grains, liver, egg yolks and nuts. However, the cooking process robs food of much of its vitamin E content. Taking a supplement when you are detoxifying serves a few purposes, including preventing oxidation of fats and lipids and subsequent free radical production. As a potent antioxidant, it also scavenges free radicals in the body, states Krohn and Taylor. It increases your body's ability to eliminate xenobiotics, which are substances not normally found in the human body.