There are many bizarre ideas about detoxification. Everyone hears ads for stripping pounds of debris off the lining of their colon or doing a liver flush or doing a two-week juice fast detox program at which point you are supposed to be free of all toxins. By and large such strategies are nonsense and are actually hard on your body.

Fasting for more than a day or two without protein in your diet can shut down primary Phase 1 and Phase 2 liver detoxification function which can stay impaired for months. Detoxification is important, but let’s understand the basics.

You are constantly exposed to toxins, which is worse if you live ...