Fasting & Detox
Does Fasting Help Release Toxins?
Fasting is incredibly popular in the health and fitness community. Not only can it help with weight loss, but fasting has been linked to other health benefits like reduced inflammation, improved blood sugar levels, and improved cholesterol levels.
Because fasting can help you lose weight and may have benefits for your metabolism, some people wonder if fasting can help release toxins from your body.
This article helps answer the question — does fasting help release toxins?
Does fasting help remove toxins?
Your body has a complex system that removes toxins and wastes from the body. It includes several organs like your skin, lungs, liver, kidneys, digestive system, and immune system.
Interestingly, some research suggests that fasting may help your body with detoxification. In particular, studies show that fasting and caloric restriction may boost the activity of certain enzymes involved in your body’s natural detoxification processes (1, 2, 3).
Fasting may also support liver health, aiding its role in detoxification (4, 5).
However, most research in this area comes from animal studies, so it’s unclear how much fasting enhances detox systems in humans. More human-based research is needed.
For healthy adults, optimal detoxification typically comes from a balanced lifestyle: a nutrient-rich diet, quality sleep, regular exercise, moderate alcohol intake, and avoiding smoking.
Summary
Some evidence suggests fasting may aid detoxification by boosting enzyme activity and supporting liver function. Nevertheless, your body’s built-in detox system works best when you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
