One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when cleansing is not factoring in the need for antioxidants.
Most cleanses and detoxes focus on the liver and colon and if you’re lucky, they’ll also support the mitochondria, lymphatic system, and kidneys (they key components you actually need compared to a “colon blow” type of cleanse).
But here’s the piece that often gets missed:
What happens after your body mobilizes toxins?
If your cells don’t have the tools to take out the detox trash, those toxins can build back up creating oxidative stress (rogue molecules floating around your body aging you fast) and leaving you feeling worse during or after a cleanse.
If you’ve ever tried a detox and thought,
“Why do I feel awful doing this?”
this is likely why.
It’s also why a detox reaction known as a “Herxheimer or herxing reaction” can be so intense and last longer for some folks.
When cells break down toxins, they create waste products that must be neutralized and cleared. Without adequate antioxidant support, that “cell trash” lingers.
This is where glutathione comes in.
Your body makes this naturally and it’s your body’s master antioxidant.
But to make glutathione naturally you need a few ingredients and this is why during a cleanse, I often recommend a little extra targeted support such as:
- Vitamin C and Vitamin E -needed to make glutathione with NAC
- N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) – a key building block for glutathione
- Alpha Lipoic Acid – which helps recycle glutathione so it can be reused
Yes, you can test genetics to see how well your body produces these molecules (and I do recommend that long-term), but during a cleanse it’s smart to provide extra support up front.
Especially if you’ve tried a cleanse and were left thinking detoxes are a scam because you felt worse during and after.
For added insurance, I also may also use:
- Liposomal or topical glutathione to directly support antioxidant capacity
In my own protocols:
- For general mitochondrial support, I use MitoCore by Ortho Molecular
- For direct glutathione support, especially alongside a cleanse like the 21-Day Purification Program, I use Quicksilver Scientific Liposomal Glutathione or topical glutathione from Dr. Dan Purser called VARS but it’s always out of stock so I go with the liposomal for now.
Some people choose alternatives like Carbon60, skipping natural glutathione support altogether – MyVital C is a great company for Carbon60. (Next week I have toxicologist Joe Nieusma on the podcast talking more on this).
The goal of a cleanse isn’t just to mobilize toxin it’s to clear them efficiently and safely, without overwhelming your system.
If you’re curious about my complete “De-Inflame” protocol, I’ve put everything together in a simple PDF (click HERE to access the pdf) and talked it through in my latest podcast episode 593 of The Health Fix Podcast.
Here’s to keeping up on your antioxidants,
Dr. Jannine Krause
