YOU'VE DONE THE DETOX, NOW WHAT?

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I truly believe many of the chronic disease we face today as a society are largely due to the toxins we are exposed to on a regular basis and their unchecked reactions in our body. Many factors play a role in how well (or not well) the body removes toxins such as genetics, nutrition status. You can go back and read more about detoxification and why it’s important before we get into the different ways of “emptying your bucket” or lowering your body burden on a regular basis.

While a medically guided detoxification program is a nice reset twice a year, there are things you can do regularly to support efficient elimination in your daily life.

Most often people only think about stool or pooping as elimination, since it is the most obvious form, and also so important because if toxins and hormone metabolites are not eliminated via stool then they are reabsorbed and contribute to the body’s toxic load. You should be having a bowel movement daily, if you are not pooping everyday then this is where you need to start! The good news is we have other organs of detoxification too; we eliminate waste via sweating, urinating and breathing which all work together to keep the body’s toxic load down. Here’s a quick review of the organs that are responsible for elimination.

  • The liver: metabolizes carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals. It keeps cholesterol and blood sugar balanced, creates bile to aid digestion. It is the key to overall digestive, metabolic, immune and hormonal health.

  • Kidney and urinary bladder: your kidneys process about 200 liters of blood and eliminate waste and extra water as urine.

  • Lungs: exhale toxins in the form of gases. This includes carbon dioxide and normal break down products of the respiratory system. Stress, anxiety, lack of exercise, sitting at a desk all day reduces respiration and thus reduces the lungs ability to remove these toxins.

  • Skin: eliminates waste via sweat. If you’re someone who does not typically sweat, strongly consider saunas and baths to warm your core and encourage elimination.

  • Lymph: filters waste from the blood. This is the main system through which the body cleanses itself

So how can you regularly support all of these organs?

  • Exercise- I mentioned the important role of lymph in detoxification BUT it doesn’t have a pump so in order for it to move, you need to move. Don’t get down on yourself if you don’t have access to fancy equipment or hate group classes— you can do a simple but effective workout in your home using your own body weight or resistance bands. The goal is to move daily, ideally in a way that you enjoy!

  • Sweating- another goal for each day should be to break a sweat. Whether that’s in your movement routine or intentionally sweating in a sauna or bath. I have been loving this infrared sauna blanket to aid in my daily detoxification because it helps the heat the body to rid itself of toxins via sweat through the skin.

  • Lymph brushing- stimulate the flow of lymph by gently brushing the skin using a natural bristle brush moving toward the heart. Especially focus on the lymph-rich areas: groin, armpits, neck.

  • Castor oil packs- [applied topically] helps stimulate liver and lymphatic function by promoting the flow of bile and lymph.

  • Diet- incorporate a diet that is balanced with greens, vegetables, quality meats and fats, minimal to no processed and fried foods. Incorporate antioxidants liberally; my favorites are berries, cacao and green tea. (Side note: for teas, you want to make they are organic and screened for exposures such as mold. I really like this brand because they have high screening standards. My favorites [so far] are the matcha and bergamot!)

  • Intentional deep breathing exercises- both cleansing for the lungs as well as the nervous system. It is one of the most powerful things you can do for your body, read more about what I had to say about breathwork in this recent article in Harper’s Bazaar.

  • Epsom salt baths- add ginger to heat the body and help you sweat

  • Drinking sufficient [quality] water: to facilitate the elimination of urine via the kidneys but also the flow of lymph from the lymphatic system which is approximately 96% water. I mentioned this is the akin to a sewage system for the body so you want to make sure this is flowing adequately. And with quality filtered water that doesn’t add to the body’s toxic load. The filter I recommend/use is from Berkey.

  • Incorporate glutathione. This is the body’s main antioxidant and levels start to decrease with age which ends up slowing detoxification. Oral glutathione does not get absorbed well though so don’t wast your money on any pills/or capsules. I typically recommend a topical glutathione that has been shown to absorb and actually increase glutathione levels. You can also use NAC, another antioxidant, which is used by the body to make glutathione.

  • Support digestion by taking digestive bitters before meals. this helps stimulate the release of bile to move toxins out of cells, into bile and out of the body via poop (which is why daily poops is also important for healthy detoxification!).


Since toxic exposures are a rising problem and underlying issue to most chronic concerns I see in patients. I will be discussing this more along with swaps to make to manage accumulation. Stay tuned! Always feel free to reach out with questions if you need!

Shop any detoxification essentials linked above or find them in my online dispensary, some of my favorites are highlighted here.