Many people finishing cancer treatment wonder how to help their body recover from chemotherapy and radiation. They often ask about detoxification—how to clear out toxins and restore balance. In this conversation, an expert in integrative oncology shares insights into what detox really means, how the body processes toxins, and the best ways to support recovery post-treatment.
Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO, eMBA is a Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Arizona where she is the Associate Director of the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree from Brown University. Dr. Alschuler completed her naturopathic medical training at Bastyr University where she also completed her residency in general naturopathic medicine. She is board certified in naturopathic oncology. She completed an executive Masters of Business in 2023. She is co-author of Definitive Guide to Cancer, now in its 3rd edition, and Definitive Guide to Thriving After Cancer.
1. Do you agree with the idea that people need to detox after chemotherapy and radiation?
Yes and no. I think chemotherapy, in some ways, is actually a form of detoxification. It’s targeting and facilitating the death of damaged cells—cells that are not functioning properly. Of course, this isn’t a perfect system because healthy cells also get injured in the process. But in a way, chemo is a kind of cellular clean-out.
That being said, the process does generate a lot of residual cell debris and metabolic byproducts that need to be cleared from the system. Supporting detoxification after treatment can help the body eliminate those byproducts and recover more efficiently. However, I don’t believe in detoxing during treatment, and I think post-treatment detox should be done thoughtfully, not as a drastic cleanse.
2. What do you recommend to support detoxification after cancer treatment?
I think about detoxification in three phases. Phase one happens mostly in the liver, where toxins are processed and made ready for elimination. Phase two involves conjugation, where the body binds these compounds to amino acids, making them safer to excrete. And phase three is elimination—through urine, stool, breath, and sweat.
To support these processes, I focus first on nutrition. A plant-based diet full of colors provides essential nutrients, including B vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, to help the liver function optimally. Protein intake is also crucial because amino acids are necessary for phase two detoxification. I recommend about one gram of protein per kilogram of body weight, ideally from high-quality sources like legumes, quinoa, nuts, seeds, or organic, grass-fed meats. Hydration, fiber, and movement are also key—ensuring people are urinating regularly, having consistent bowel movements, and sweating through gentle exercise or sauna use.
3. Do you think juice cleanses, fasting, or other quick detoxes are a good idea after treatment?
Generally, no. After cancer treatment, people have been through a lot—on a cellular level, on a tissue level, and on a human level. Those extreme detoxes can be dramatic, difficult, and if not done properly, can actually increase inflammation by mobilizing toxins too quickly. People often feel worse, not better, because they’re releasing stored toxins without properly eliminating them.
Instead, I suggest a more sustainable, daily detoxification approach. That means consistently eating well, getting enough protein, staying hydrated, moving your body, and sweating. Over time, this will help the body clear out toxins naturally without the risks of a drastic cleanse. Later on, once someone is well past treatment, there may be a role for practices like water fasting once a quarter or short metabolic detoxes, but these should be done under proper guidance—not because someone saw a detox trend on Instagram.
4. What foods and herbs best support detoxification?
For food, I recommend focusing on plants that specifically support liver detoxification. Beets and beet greens are excellent because they contain key nutrients for methylation and detox. Garlic is another powerful detoxifier, thanks to its sulfur compounds. Dark leafy greens—especially bitter ones like dandelion, kale, and collards—are great for providing minerals that aid detoxification. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage also help, but they can be harder to digest immediately post-treatment. Broccoli sprouts are a gentler option.
As for herbs, milk thistle is the queen of liver detox. It supports every component of liver function and can even help clear anesthesia post-surgery. Dandelion root encourages bile flow, which is how the liver eliminates waste into the digestive tract. I also like Schisandra, an adaptogen that supports both liver and lung health. Green tea is excellent, too, as it helps pull toxins into the bowels for elimination.
5. How can people detox emotionally and mentally after cancer treatment?
This is such an important piece that often gets overlooked. Cancer and its treatment are transformative and disruptive. People don’t just go back to who they were before—they are different, their life is different. It’s important to acknowledge that.
One way to detox emotionally is to engage in mindfulness or meditation, even just spending quiet time in nature. Strengthening community and being selective about who you spend time with also matters—being around people who support your wellness instead of draining your energy. Many people also experience deep values clarification during and after cancer. They emerge with a stronger sense of purpose, gratitude, and love, and it’s important to make life choices that reflect that transformation.
Final Thoughts
Detoxification after cancer treatment isn’t about extreme cleanses or quick fixes. It’s about ongoing, daily practices that support the body’s natural ability to process and eliminate toxins. A nutrient-rich diet, good hydration, movement, herbs, and mindfulness all play a role. And just as important as the physical detox is the emotional one—letting go of stress, cultivating gratitude, and choosing a life that truly aligns with what matters most.
Therapies mentioned
Dr. Mary Hardy, board-certified in internal medicine and a specialist in botanical and integrative medicine, has actively combined complementary and alternative therapies with traditional Western medicine for over thirty-five years in both her clinical practice and research projects. After completing her undergraduate studies at Vassar College, she returned to her hometown, New Orleans, to attend medical school at Louisiana State University. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1998, Dr. Hardy founded the Integrative Medicine Clinic at Cedars-Sinai and participated in an NCCAM-funded research project that evaluated the barriers and facilitators of integrative medicine practice based on her clinic. She also has extensive experience in evaluating the evidence base for the efficacy and safety of complementary/integrative medicine as part of her work as a research associate at the RAND Corporation.
She is recognized as an authority on integrative medicine and herbal/natural products by organizations such as the Office of Dietary Supplements, the California Medical Board, the Canadian government, the United States Pharmacopeia, American Medical Association, the American Pharmaceutical Association, National Geographic, CBS, NBC, Discovery Channel, and the Los Angeles Times.
Dr. Hardy, the past medical director of the Simms/Mann-UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, is a recognized leader in the field of integrative oncology. She has served as a board member of the Society for Integrative Oncology and as co-leader of the Oncology Interest Group in the Consortium of Academic Health Centers of Integrative Medicine. Dr. Hardy is also an active member of the Integrative Oncology Working Group.
She has also helped to establish the Integrative Medicine Health and Wellness Program at the Venice Family Clinic, the largest free clinic in the United States, and served as the co-director of that program. Dr. Hardy was co-director of the successful multidisciplinary clinical program for the management of chronic pain that has been established because of her team’s efforts.
Dr. Hardy is the 2020 recipient of the ABC Fredi Kronenberg Excellence in Research and Education in Botanicals for Women’s Health Award given by the American Botanical Council. She has previously served as faculty for the Georgetown University Masters Program in Integrative Medicine. She is the founder of Wellness Works, an educational and consulting service for integrative medicine.
Dr. Hardy’s current research interests include reviewing the evidence for the safety and efficacy of natural therapies, especially botanicals, as well as conducting clinical trials of dietary supplements and lifestyle choices to reduce toxicity and to improve outcomes of conventional cancer treatment. She also has a long-standing interest in patients who have shown exceptional responses during cancer care.