Rankings / Detox
Detox
Glutathione precursors, heavy-metal chelators, GI binders, and hepatoprotective agents. Popular category; thin human evidence outside acute poisoning.
| # | Compound | Ev | Bn | Sf | Grade · Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glutathione (liposomal / IV / S-acetyl) Master intracellular antioxidant | 4.5 | 5 | 9 | B 6.4 |
| 2 | Modified citrus pectin (MCP) Galactose-rich polysaccharide | 3 | 3.5 | 9 | C+ 5.5 |
| 3 | Calcium-D-glucarate Beta-glucuronidase inhibitor | 3 | 3 | 9 | C+ 5.4 |
| 4 | Milk thistle (silymarin / silibinin) Hepatoprotective flavonolignan | 3 | 3 | 9 | C+ 5.4 |
| 5 | DHM (dihydromyricetin / ampelopsin) Flavonoid / α1-GABA-A modulator | 2 | 5 | 9 | C+ 5.3 |
| 6 | Activated charcoal GI adsorbent | 2 | 2 | 9 | C 4.8 |
| 7 | Chlorella Single-cell algae | 3 | 3.5 | 7 | C 4.7 |
| 8 | Spirulina Cyanobacterium | 3 | 3.5 | 7 | C 4.7 |
| 9 | DIM (diindolylmethane) / I3C Cruciferous phytochemical | 3 | 3 | 7 | C 4.6 |
| 10 | DMSA / DMPS (heavy metal chelators) Sulfhydryl chelators | 3 | 2 | 3.5 | D High-risk profile 3.1 |
| 11 | EDTA chelation Polyamine chelator | 2 | 2 | 1.5 | F High-risk profile 1.8 |
This is the category where the premise is shakiest. Your liver and kidneys already do the detoxifying, and most "detox" products have thin human evidence outside genuine poisoning. The rankings reflect that skepticism — a low score here usually means the product has not shown it does more than the organs already do.
Evidence-supported, narrow uses
NAC is an established hospital antidote for acetaminophen overdose and has modest evidence in several other areas, while evidence for general daily "detox" use is weaker. Sulforaphane has some data on upregulating endogenous detoxification enzymes. Milk thistle is widely used for liver support with mixed evidence.
Safety differences by use context
Chelators such as DMSA, DMPS, and EDTA have established uses for diagnosed heavy-metal poisoning with clinical monitoring. Speculative "detox" use can remove essential minerals and cause serious harm, resulting in low Safety scores and prominent safety context. Evidence does not support chelation for vague symptoms without confirmed metal toxicity.
How the evidence is interpreted
A moderate or weak score here means a product has not demonstrated effects beyond endogenous liver and kidney physiology in the claimed context. Products with the broadest marketing claims generally have the thinnest supporting human evidence.
Frequently asked
Do detox supplements actually work?
Mostly not, outside specific medical uses. The liver and kidneys handle detoxification, and most detox products have thin human evidence. The genuine exceptions are narrow — NAC for acetaminophen overdose, chelators for diagnosed heavy-metal poisoning — and those are medical treatments, not wellness supplements.
What does the evidence show for NAC?
It has a genuine medical role as the antidote for acetaminophen overdose and modest evidence in a few other areas. As a general daily "detox" supplement its case is much weaker, though it is well tolerated.
How does chelation safety differ by context?
Chelators have established medical uses for diagnosed heavy-metal poisoning with clinical monitoring. Speculative use can remove essential minerals and cause serious harm, which is reflected in low Safety scores. Evidence does not support chelation for vague symptoms without confirmed metal toxicity.
Scores reflect the published evidence, not a recommendation to use any compound or protocol. Nothing here is medical advice. How we score →