Cleanse and liver support

The 14-Day Reset: Cleanse & Liver Support

Your body already knows how to detox. Here's how to support it.

Your liver, kidneys, colon and lymph work around the clock. Here's how they do it, what the research says about the classic liver herbs, and how to pick between a whole-body program, a liver-focused one, or daily support.*

  • By Vital Planet
  • 8 min read
  • 6 studies cited

How the programs work

  • 14days per program, in two parts
  • AM + PMa morning formula for liver support and an evening formula for gentle elimination*
  • 6natural pathways your body already uses to clear waste

The short version

  • Your body detoxes on its own, through the liver, kidneys, colon, lungs, skin and lymph. A cleanse program is meant to support those systems, not replace them.*
  • Milk thistle has the deepest research of the classic liver herbs. In a 2023 review of 29 randomized trials, 65.5% of studies reported lower liver enzyme levels with silymarin.1
  • Vital Cleanse is the gentle, whole-body 14-day program. Vital LiverPURE is the concentrated, liver-focused one. Critical Liver Care is for daily support between resets.*
  • Water, timing, a cleaner diet and light movement make any program work better.

"Detox" is one of the most misused words in wellness. Juice cleanses, charcoal supplements, foot pads that "pull out toxins": most of it is marketing, not science.

Here's what is real. Your body has detoxification systems that work around the clock. Your liver alone performs over 500 functions, including filtering blood, processing toxins and producing bile to carry waste out.

So detox is real. The useful question is whether you're supporting those natural processes or piling on processed foods, environmental toxins, medications and stress.

How your body actually detoxes

Your body doesn't need expensive juice cleanses. It has six major elimination pathways working continuously to filter, process and remove waste products and environmental toxins.

Pathway 1

Liver

Filters blood and processes toxins, hormones and metabolic byproducts.

Pathway 2

Kidneys

Filter waste out of the blood and send it out in urine.

Pathway 3

Colon

Moves solid waste out of the body.

Pathway 4

Lungs

Breathe out carbon dioxide and volatile compounds.

Pathway 5

Skin

Sweat carries out small amounts of waste.

Pathway 6

Lymph

Drains fluid and cellular waste from your tissues.

The point of a cleanse program is to support the systems your body already has. Traditional herbs like milk thistle, dandelion and artichoke have been used for centuries to support liver function and healthy bile flow.*

29

randomized controlled trials of silymarin, the active compound in milk thistle, pulled together in a 2023 systematic review1

65.5%

of those studies reported lower liver enzyme levels with silymarin supplementation1

500+

functions your liver performs, from filtering blood to making bile

Why the liver matters most

Your liver is the body's main filtration system. Every minute it processes about 1.5 liters of blood, finding and neutralizing toxins, hormones and metabolic byproducts.

Modern life adds to its workload. Processed foods, alcohol, medications, environmental pollutants and even stress hormones all have to pass through the liver. That makes supporting liver function everyday maintenance rather than a luxury.*

Milk thistle (80% silymarin)

The gold standard for liver support

Silymarin is an antioxidant and the most studied liver herb. A 2024 meta-analysis pooled the trials of silymarin in people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.2 It's traditionally used to support healthy liver function.*

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)

A building block for glutathione

NAC is a precursor to glutathione, often called the body's master antioxidant.3,4 It supports Phase II liver detoxification pathways.*

Dandelion root

A traditional bitter herb

Dandelion root supports healthy bile production and flow, which helps with fat digestion.*

Artichoke leaf

Bile flow and digestion

Artichoke leaf promotes healthy bile secretion for digestion and elimination.* In a 2022 meta-analysis, artichoke supplementation was linked to lower liver enzyme levels, and a small pilot trial tested artichoke leaf extract in people with fatty liver disease.5,6

These studies tested single herbs or extracts at set doses, often in people with a diagnosed liver condition. They weren't studies of our formulas, so read them as research on the herbs.

Compare: 14-day cleanse programs

Both are 14-day, 2-part programs with a morning and an evening formula. Here's how they differ.

Vital Cleanse Vital LiverPURE
Focus Whole-body herbal rejuvenation. Supports liver, kidneys, skin, lungs, blood and lymph.* Advanced liver support system. Concentrated liver support with NAC and amino acids.*
AM formula Milk thistle, artichoke, dandelion, burdock* Milk thistle, NAC, berberine, turmeric, green tea*
PM formula Gentle magnesium and herbal laxative blend* Ayurvedic herbs: andrographis, punarnava, guduchi*
Also Senna-free and cascara-free, no harsh herbs Supports bile flow, antioxidant activity and cellular defense*
Best for First-time cleansers Whole-body reset Intensive reset Liver focus, experienced cleansers

Daily liver support: for ongoing maintenance

Don't need a 14-day reset? Critical Liver Care is daily support you can take year-round.*

Critical Liver Care: daily support

A 1,235 mg botanical blend for everyday liver maintenance. Take 3 capsules daily.* It's a fit for ongoing liver maintenance between cleanses, daily support if your lifestyle is demanding, or anyone who prefers steady daily supplements over periodic programs.*

  • Milk thistle 305 mg + NAC 300 mg
  • Alpha lipoic acid, turmeric, berberine
  • Amino blend: methionine, taurine, glycine
  • 90 capsules, 30-day supply

The complete liver protocol

For the most complete liver support, many customers follow this approach:

  1. 1

    Quarterly reset

    Complete a 14-day LiverPURE program 2 to 4 times a year.

  2. 2

    Daily maintenance

    Take Critical Liver Care daily between resets.

  3. 3

    Lifestyle support

    Cut back on alcohol, processed foods and environmental toxin exposure.

The AM/PM system: why two formulas?

Morning formula

Support and protect

Herbal extracts work with your body's daytime metabolic activity to support liver function, bile flow and antioxidant defense.*

Evening formula

Eliminate and restore

Gentle elimination support works overnight, so you wake up feeling lighter. No harsh laxatives, and it works with your body's natural rhythm.*

How to get the most from your 14-day program

  1. Hydration

    Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Your kidneys need water to do their filtering, and the fiber in the PM formula needs water to work properly.

  2. Timing

    Take the AM formula on an empty stomach, 20 to 30 minutes before breakfast. Take the PM formula before bed. Consistency matters most.

  3. Diet support

    Cut back on processed foods, alcohol and caffeine during your cleanse. Focus on vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats. That lightens your liver's load while the herbs do their work.*

  4. Movement

    Light exercise like walking or yoga supports lymphatic drainage. Your lymph system has no pump of its own. It relies on muscle movement to circulate.

Cleanse and liver formulas

First
cleanseVital Cleanse 14-day whole-body herbal cleanse

Vital Cleanse

14-day, 2-part program. Senna-free, cascara-free.

A gentle, whole-body herbal program that supports your liver, kidneys, colon and lymph system, and your body's natural cleansing pathways.*

Shop Vital Cleanse
Intensive
resetVital LiverPURE 14-day liver support kit

Vital LiverPURE

14-day, 2-part program with NAC, milk thistle, turmeric and Ayurvedic herbs.

Targeted liver support for experienced cleansers or anyone focused on liver health. Supports bile flow, antioxidant activity and cellular defense.*

Shop LiverPURE
Daily
useCritical Liver Care daily liver support

Critical Liver Care

1,235 mg botanical blend. 90 capsules, 30-day supply.

Everyday liver maintenance between cleanses, with milk thistle, NAC and an amino blend.*

Shop Critical Liver Care

Not sure which fits? The three questions below will point you to one.

Find your cleanse pathway

The right program for your goals in three questions

Educational guidance, not a diagnosis. If you take medications or have a medical condition, check with your provider first.

What's your primary goal?

Have you done a cleanse program before?

Any digestive sensitivities?

Your match

Vital LiverPURE, then daily support

You want liver-focused support, you've cleansed before and your digestion is comfortable, so the concentrated program fits. LiverPURE pairs NAC, milk thistle and turmeric in the morning with Ayurvedic herbs at night.* Between resets, Critical Liver Care keeps daily support going.*

Vital LiverPURECritical Liver Care

Your match

Step up to Vital LiverPURE

You've done a cleanse before and digestion isn't an issue, so you can handle the more intensive program. LiverPURE is liver-focused, so if covering every pathway matters more to you than intensity, Vital Cleanse is still the whole-body option.*

Vital LiverPUREVital Cleanse

Your match

Vital Cleanse, the gentler program

You're experienced, but a sensitive stomach points to the gentler formula. Vital Cleanse is senna-free and cascara-free, and its AM formula still includes milk thistle, artichoke and dandelion for liver support.* If the liver is your main focus, add Critical Liver Care between cleanses.*

Vital CleanseCritical Liver Care

Your match

Start gentle, with your liver in mind

For a first cleanse, start with Vital Cleanse. Its morning formula leans on the classic liver herbs, milk thistle, artichoke and dandelion, without harsh laxatives.* Once you know how your body responds, LiverPURE is the next step, and Critical Liver Care covers the days in between.*

Vital CleanseCritical Liver Care

Your match

Vital Cleanse

A gentle, whole-body herbal program that supports your liver, kidneys, colon and lymph system.* It's the natural starting point for a first cleanse or anyone who wants whole-body support. Follow the hydration and timing tips above to get the most from it.

Vital Cleanse

Frequently asked questions

The terms get used interchangeably, but technically "detox" is the metabolic process of neutralizing and clearing toxins, which is what your liver does. "Cleanse" usually means a program designed to support those natural processes.* Neither means starving yourself or drinking only juice.

Some people notice mild symptoms in the first few days: headaches, fatigue or changes in bowel movements. This is often related to cutting back on caffeine or sugar rather than "toxins releasing." Stay hydrated, rest if you need to, and symptoms usually pass within 2 to 3 days. If they're severe or don't pass, stop and check with your healthcare provider.

Generally yes, but it's best to separate them by 2 hours. Some herbs can affect how certain medications are absorbed. If you take prescription drugs, talk to your healthcare provider before starting any cleanse program.

Most people do a 14-day cleanse 2 to 4 times a year, often with the seasons. Spring and fall are popular. For ongoing liver support, consider a daily liver supplement between cleanses.* Listen to your body, and ask your healthcare provider if you're unsure.

Yes. Both Vital Cleanse and Vital LiverPURE use vegan capsules and contain no animal products. They're also free from gluten, soy, dairy and GMOs.

Choose Vital Cleanse if you want whole-body support (not just the liver), you're new to cleansing, or you prefer a gentler approach.* Choose Vital LiverPURE if you want concentrated liver support, you've cleansed before, or you're focused on liver health because of lifestyle factors.* For year-round daily support, Critical Liver Care fits between programs.*

Written by the Vital Planet team.

References

  1. Calderon Martinez E, et al. Impact of Silymarin Supplements on Liver Enzyme Levels: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2023;15(10):e47608. PubMed
  2. Li S, et al. Administration of silymarin in NAFLD/NASH: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Hepatol. 2024;29(2):101174. PubMed
  3. Raghu G, et al. The Multifaceted Therapeutic Role of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) in Disorders Characterized by Oxidative Stress. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2021;19(8):1202-1224. PubMed
  4. Ershad M, et al. N-Acetylcysteine. StatPearls. 2024. PubMed
  5. Amini MR, et al. Effects of Artichoke Supplementation on Liver Enzymes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Clin Nutr Res. 2022;11(3):228-239. PubMed
  6. Panahi Y, et al. Efficacy of artichoke leaf extract in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2018;32(7):1382-1387. PubMed
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is educational and not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider about persistent or concerning changes, and before starting any cleanse program if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
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