Those of us who use Instagram or Tiktok know how hard it is to scroll through without seeing some celebrity or influencer touting the latest-and-greatest detox product that makes them feeloh so much better. It may seem like everyone and their brother has tried a juice cleanse (I get hungry just thinking about it!). But, do you need to do a detox to be healthy? As a registered dietitian, I can assure you the answer is no, absolutely not. I’d like to set the record straight: Detox products are not necessary and might actually do more harm than good.

So long as we are hydrated, our kidneys can flush out toxins (likeammonia, urea and uric acid) through urination. Our livers filter toxins through what are calledsinusoid channels. These channels are lined with immune cells that engulf, digest and excrete toxins that eventually become our poop (no more glamorous way to put it). When our guts and digestive tracts process food, the waste becomes a bowel movement. The best part? These organs detoxify our body without us even knowing it, regardless of what we eat or drink. And it’s free!

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A hand pushing letter blocks that spell out “detox”

While it might seem too good to be true, our bodies are masters ofhomeostasis, a phenomenon in which the body does what it can to perpetuate a stable, healthy condition. That being said, there are certain things we can do that make it easier for our bodies to maintain a healthy equilibrium. One of the most effective things you can do to help your body function at its best is to have abalanced, healthy eating pattern. Getting the nutrients you need can help your organs keep doing their jobs. Keeping alcohol intake in check will give your organs fewer toxins to filter out. Moving your body regularly will help with healthy blood flow and regular bowel movements as well as havingmental health benefits, all of which are important for helping your organs clear out toxins. Doing these things can make it easier for your body to detoxify itself. You definitely don’t need a depriving “cleanse” to stimulate detoxification.

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