Fasting, Cleanses and Detox Programs Offered in Integrative Settings
What fasting, juice cleanses and detox programs offered in naturopathic and integrative settings involve, what reviews found, the documented risks, and who should check with a doctor first.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
What gets offered
NCCIH says "detoxification" programs may involve fasting, drinking only juices, eating only certain foods, supplements or other commercial products, and herbs. [1] They may also involve cleansing the colon with enemas, laxatives or colon hydrotherapy, reducing environmental exposures, or using a sauna. [1] Programs may be advertised commercially, offered at health centers, or be part of naturopathic treatment. [1] NCCIH also lists "practitioner-guided detoxification" among approaches naturopathic practitioners may use. [3]One legitimate medical use sits apart from these programs: the CDC recommends chelation therapy for removing toxic metals from the body in some specific serious cases, which NCCIH's fact sheet does not address. [1] That is a medical treatment for confirmed poisoning, not a wellness cleanse. See detox programs and chelation claims.
What the evidence shows
| Question | What the sources found | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Do commercial detox diets remove toxins or help weight? | NCCIH reports a small number of low-quality studies and a 2015 review finding no compelling research for either use. [1] A 2015 critical review said there is very little clinical evidence and found no randomized trials of commercial detox diets in humans. [4] | no good evidence of benefit |
| Long-term effects | NCCIH says there have been no studies on long-term effects. [1] | insufficient evidence |
| Weight loss from juicing or detox diets | A 2017 review (cited by NCCIH) said initial loss comes from low calorie intake and tends to reverse when normal eating resumes. [1] | mixed, short-lived |
| Colon cleansing | Limited clinical evidence validating colonic irrigation and insufficient evidence for its prescribed uses. [1] | insufficient evidence |
| Intermittent fasting for weight and heart-health markers | An umbrella review of 11 meta-analyses (130 trials) found most significant associations rested on very low or low quality evidence; follow-up was short (median 3 months). [5] | promising but limited |
If a program promises to remove "toxins," ask which ones and how that is measured. For fuller claim checks, see "detoxifies the body", liver, heavy-metal and parasite cleanse claims and detox and weight-loss teas.
Fasting is a separate question
NCCIH says some fasting programs are advertised with detox claims, while intermittent and periodic fasting are being researched for health promotion, disease prevention, aging and weight loss, but there are no firm conclusions about effects on human health. [1]The umbrella review of intermittent fasting trials found one association supported by high-quality evidence: modified alternate-day fasting for 1 to 2 months was linked to a moderate reduction in body mass index in adults. [5] Intermittent fasting was also associated with reduced fat-free mass. [5] These are weight and lab outcomes in trials, not proof that fasting "detoxifies." See intermittent fasting and aging.
Supervised clinic fasting has been studied too. A one-year observational study followed 1,422 people through 4 to 21 day fasting periods (200 to 250 kcal a day plus a moderate lifestyle program) in a specialized clinic and reported adverse effects in less than 1%. [6] The study had no comparison group, so it cannot separate fasting from the rest of the program or show lasting benefit. It shows what happened under clinic supervision, not what happens at home.
How to evaluate an offer
Ask what the program claims to remove, how that is measured, what a clinician monitors, what it costs, and what happens if you feel unwell. A red flag is a prepaid package sold with supplements and a promise to cure. See red flags in integrative marketing and evaluating clinic claims.Frequently asked questions
Do detox cleanses remove toxins?
NCCIH reports no compelling research that "detox" diets eliminate toxins from the body, and a 2015 review found no randomized trials of commercial detox diets. [1][4]
Is fasting safe?
It depends on the person and the type. Fasting can cause headaches, fainting, weakness and dehydration. [1] Supervised programs reported few adverse effects in one uncontrolled study. [6]
Does a juice cleanse help weight loss?
Reviews say juicing and detox diets cause initial loss from low calories that tends to reverse. [1]
Are colon cleanses worthwhile?
NCCIH says there is limited clinical evidence for colonic irrigation, and side effects can be serious. [1]
Who should avoid fasting or cleanses?
Several groups need medical advice first, including people with diabetes, kidney stones or kidney, heart or digestive disease. [1]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety first
Documented risks
- Some programs have been unsafe and falsely advertised; the FDA and FTC have acted against products with hidden ingredients. [1]
- Colon cleansing can have side effects, some serious; harm is more likely with gastrointestinal, kidney or heart disease, colon surgery or severe hemorrhoids. [1]
- Unpasteurized juices can make people sick, and serious illness is more likely in children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. [1]
- People prone to kidney stones should limit high-oxalate foods such as leafy greens and beets. [1]
- Laxatives can cause diarrhea, dehydration and malabsorption. [1]
- Drinking large amounts of water and herbal tea and eating no food for days can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalances. [1]
- Severely restrictive diets often do not give lasting weight loss and may not supply needed nutrients. [1]
- People with diabetes should consult their providers before major changes in eating. [1]
References
- “Detoxes” and “Cleanses”: What You Need To Know, NCCIH (page last updated March 2025). Read 2026-10-22.
- Herbal medicines and complementary therapies, NHS (England), page last reviewed 1 May 2026. Read 2026-10-22.
- Naturopathy, NCCIH (page last updated April 2025). Read 2026-10-22.
- Detox diets for toxin elimination and weight management: a critical review of the evidence, Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 2015. Read 2026-10-22.
- Intermittent Fasting and Obesity-Related Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses of Randomized Clinical Trials, JAMA Network Open, 2021. Read 2026-10-22.
- Safety, health improvement and well-being during a 4 to 21-day fasting period in an observational study including 1422 subjects, PLoS One, 2019. Read 2026-10-22.