Basics of Detoxification with Naturopathy
Detoxification describes the process of removing accumulated waste products, metabolites or toxins from the body. In optimal circumstances, this is done in the body mainly by the liver, with subsequent elimination from the body through the bowel, kidney, bile, lungs and sweat glands.1
Naturopathy recognises the importance of addressing the whole, unique person to improve health, wellbeing and vitality. Many chronic disease states may be due to an overwhelming of the body’s functions by poor dietary habits and/or exposure to drug, chemical or environmental toxins. Naturopaths are able tailor their approach to your individual needs for safe and effective care.1-3
Who Can Benefit From a Naturopathic Detoxification Program?
People who may benefit from detoxification support include those with:4,5
- environmental exposures
- gentle cleansing/preventative medicine
- gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders
- autoimmune conditions
- inflammation
- skin conditions
This approach commonly involves cleansing foods (e.g. foods from the broccoli family), vitamin/mineral/antioxidant supplementation, reducing exposure to environmental toxins, regular hydration and use of herbs and nutrients to support the organs of elimination.4,5
A professional, practitioner-led program enables naturopaths to help their patient:
- prepare the body for detoxification
- avoid exposure to toxins and reduce the accumulation of toxins
- support gut health
- support the liver to lessen the body burden of chemicals
- protect against oxidative damage
Some Key Herbs and Nutrients
There is science to back up this naturopathic approach. Foundational herbs and nutrients include:
- Broccoli contains glucoraphanin, which is converted to sulforaphane in the body. Sulforaphane activates Nrf2, a key regulator of the body’s detoxification and antioxidant defences.6,7
- Turmeric and its main anti-inflammatory and antioxidant polyphenol, curcumin. Curcumin also activates Nrf2 and protects against oxidative damage in various cells and conditions.8
- Glutamine, glycine and cysteine are amino acid precursors for glutathione which acts as an antioxidant, free radical scavenger, and detoxifying agent.9 Cysteine also contains sulfur and plays a crucial role in phase II reactions in the liver.10 Collectively, phase II reactions are essential for the processing of environmental pollutants, alcohol and drugs (pharmaceutical or recreational).10-12
- Glycine and taurine are important for amino acid conjugation, a phase II liver detoxification pathway;13 and for bile acid conjugation.14,15 Bile assists with the elimination of toxins.16
Visit a Naturopath
Seeing a naturopath for detoxification support will provide you with personalised care, expert advice, and access to quality supplements. This can help you to feel your best and achieve optimal health. To find a naturopath near you, visit mediherb.com/en-au/mediherb-find-a-practitioner
References
1 Mills SY. The essential book of herbal medicine. London: Penguin Arkana (Penguin); 1991.
2 Dewangan S, Kumar BB. The relevance of naturopathy as a therapeutic tool in the modern era: a narrative review. Altern Ther Health Med. 2024 Apr;30(4):38-41.
3 Pizzorno JE, Murray MT, editors. Textbook of natural medicine. 4th ed. St Louis: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2013.
4 Allen J, Montalto M, Lovejoy J, Weber W. Detoxification in naturopathic medicine: a survey. J Altern Complement Med. 2011 Dec;17(12):1175-1180. DOI: 10.1089/acm.2010.0572
5 Singh S. The Importance of Naturopathy in Modern Times. Int J Res Technol. 2025 Sep 4;13(3):305-21.
6 Hodges RE, Minich DM. Modulation of metabolic detoxification pathways using foods and food-derived components: a scientific review with clinical application. J Nutr Metab. 2015;2015:760689. DOI: 10.1155/2015/760689
7 James D, Devaraj S, Bellur P, Lakkanna S, Vicini J, Boddupalli S. Novel concepts of broccoli sulforaphanes and disease: induction of phase II antioxidant and detoxification enzymes by enhanced-glucoraphanin broccoli. Nutr Rev. 2012 Nov;70(11):654-665. DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2012.00532.x
8 Shahcheraghi SH, Salemi F, Peirovi N, Ayatollahi J, Alam W, Khan H, et al. Nrf2 regulation by curcumin: molecular aspects for therapeutic prospects. Molecules. 2021 Dec;27(1):167. DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010167
9 National Cancer Institute. Glutathione [Internet]. Bethesda: National Institutes of Health; [cited 2024 Dec 4]. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-drug/def/glutathione
10 Zhou SS, Zhou YM, Li D, Ma Q. Early infant exposure to excess multivitamin: a risk factor for autism? Autism Res Treat. 2013;2013:963697. DOI: 10.1155/2013/963697
11 Kalra A, Yetiskul E, Wehrle CJ, Tuma F. Physiology, liver [Internet]. Treasure Island: StatPearls; 2023 [cited 2024 Dec 4]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535438/
12 Correia MA. Drug biotransformation. In: Katzung BG, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic & clinical pharmacology [Internet]. 13th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education; 2015 [cited 2024 Jun 24]. Chapter 4. Available from: https://dl.pezeshkamooz.com/pdf/dglibrary/book/medical/poisoning/clinical-pharmacology-13th.pdf
13 Markey SP. Pathways of drug metabolism. In: Atkinson AJ, Abernethy DR, Daniels CE, Dedrick RL, Markey SP, editors. Principles of clinical pharmacology [Internet]. 2nd ed. Amsterdam: Academic Press; 2007 [cited 2024 Dec 4]. Chapter 11. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780123694171/principles-of-clinical-pharmacology
14 Chen I, Cassaro S. Physiology, bile acids [Internet]. Treasure Island: StatPearls; 2023 [cited 2024 May 24]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549765/
15 Hofmann AF. The continuing importance of bile acids in liver and intestinal disease. Arch Intern Med. 1999 Dec;159(22):2647-2658. DOI: 10.1001/archinte.159.22.2647
16 Boyer JL. Bile formation and secretion. Compr Physiol. 2013 Jul;3(3):1035-1078. DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c120027
17 Liska D, Lyon M, Jones DS. Detoxification and biotransformational imbalances. Explore (NY). 2006 Mar;2(2):122-140. DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2005.12.009