Alternative detox.
BACKGROUND
The concept that alternative therapies can eliminate toxins and toxicants from the body, i.e. 'alternative detox' (AD) is popular.


METHODS
Selected textbooks and articles on the subject of AD.


RESULTS
The principles of AD make no sense from a scientific perspective and there is no clinical evidence to support them.


RESULTS
The promotion of AD treatments provides income for some entrepreneurs but has the potential to cause harm to patients and consumers.


CONCLUSIONS
In alternative medicine, simplistic but incorrect concepts such as AD abound. AREAS TIMELY FOR RESEARCH: All therapeutic claims should be scientifically tested before being advertised-and AD cannot be an exception.
Peninsula Medical School, Exeter, UK. edzard.ernst@pms.ac.uk
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Ernst
D001294:Attitude to Health; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D008658:Inactivation, Metabolic
D015386:Hazardous Substances