Detoxify: The Everyday Toxins Harming Your Immune System and How to Defend Against Them

by Aly Cohen

Help relieve chronic illness and holistically bolster your immune system by minimizing exposure to immune-disrupting chemicals, with this approachable, revolutionary book and 21-day program from integrative rheumatologist Dr. Aly Cohen.

Immune conditions and autoimmune diseases are on a meteoric rise in our modern-day world with the biggest triggers existing all around us. With an environment laden with untested and unregulated chemicals, radiation, and light and noise pollution, these immune disrupting chemicals (IDCs) trigger our bodies to go haywire and develop chronic conditions. And while variables like age, medication use, and overall health status factor into the performance of one’s immune system, doctors are struggling to help their patients find livable solutions for their chronic illness.

In Detoxify, integrative rheumatologist Dr. Aly Cohen, with over twenty years practicing on the front lines of clinical medicine, proposes a life-saving solution to minimizing disrupting immune system triggers and activating the body’s natural detoxification systems. Using clear and accessible language, Dr. Cohen demonstrates the surprising ways in which environmental toxins impact our bodies, linking specific symptoms and illnesses to everyday exposures. You’ll uncover what’s lurking in our water, food, personal care products, and household goods. More importantly, you’ll discover simple and affordable steps to lead a more toxin-free life. Dr. Cohen empowers us no matter our lifestyle or budget, to make small, practical shifts that can substantially increase our quality of life and help to thwart future health risks.

Featuring Dr. Cohen’s 4A’s of environmental health navigation, full-body survey to assess toxin risk, as well as a 21-day plan to significantly reduce environmental exposure and enhance your detoxification process, this book is packed with valuable resources, including lab test recommendations, DIY household cleaner and personal care recipes, Dr. Cohen’s Detoxify Food Pyramid©, and over two dozen delicious, detoxifying recipes. Detoxify is your ultimate guide for making easy and practical lifestyle changes that can alleviate chronic illness, strengthen your immune system, and ultimately extend your lifespan.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2025

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do not fall for this fear mongering nonsense! Cohen is cherry picking studies to support her bogus claims. Not to mention she works with an organisation that has falsely claimed that vaccines cause autism.

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

In some ways, we are more alert in Europe to a whole range of chemicals that are easier to come into contact with in the U.S. Certainly, however, we are by no means immune to them. This book provides a relatively actionable set of information and contraindications, even if it does make one anxious.

Per certi versi, in Europa siamo piú attenti a tutta una serie di sostanze chimiche con le quali é piú facile venire in contatto negli Stati Uniti, certo é che comunque non ne siamo affatto immuni. Questo libro fornisce una serie di informazioni e di controindicazioni relativamente attuabilli, anche se fa venire l'angoscia.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read for understanding environmental toxins in our water, food, and household products. The 21-day plan is not something I’d do in that time frame; gradually replacing products with better options is definitely more feasible.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is equal parts terrifying (hello, hidden everyday toxins) and hopeful. If you’re even slightly contemplating making cleaner swaps in your life, this is the book to read.

I loved the author’s voice—Dr. Aly Cohen takes an incredibly nuanced and overwhelming topic and delivers it with clarity, hope, and practicality. Each chapter is broken into manageable bites, and instead of feeling paralyzed, I felt empowered every step of the way.

This is the book that turns awareness into action. Highly recommend!

[Jamie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for all to read, took my time with to make applicable changes recommended
Lots to learn and easy steps to take

[Julie Resendes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource!

[Kate Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really practical, interesting and informative book. It’s a little overwhelming as a concept but Dr. Cohen makes it very approachable in terms of making small changes and just slightly tweaking the way you think about what you consume and put in your body from the perspective of toxins versus some general concept of “being healthy” etc.

[Katie Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the information, the stories, and the absolute conviction i got from reading this book . i have been looking for something to begin my journey to a healthier life, and this book was it . the resources inundated inside are also top notch (the EWG app is my new app to doom scroll on lol). borrowed this from my local library, but i will be purchasing my own copy to reference in the future as i go on with life :) definitely a worthwhile read !!

[Ginny Yurich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of fantastic information for living in a toxic world!

[ShelleyT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just began this library book and haven't gotten more than 25 pages in. Decided to read the reviews. It's sad that folks are more negatively influenced by her associations with groups they don't agree with or think it's all BS.
I may not agree with certain groups, but it doesn't make everythng they say unreliable or not worth hearing: this is the work of thousands of scientists and researchers whose references you can look up, and written in a friendly, informative style.
If you are interested in living more healthily, do your own research: she did, and shares what she learned using real sources and legitimate peer-reviewed articles.
Write your own book or find conflicting evidence. If you've gotten your opinions from talk-show hosts, their guests or media gurus who have a nice voice paid by commercials to keep you interested, do they support them with more than advertizer-chosen picked facts, that's sad. It's become a money race to see who can shout the information so expertly that you won't even know you're the victim. Study rhetoric and see how it works, and you aren't even aware of it.
I'm sorry that most people seem to get their 'truth' that way.
I've already found 17 footnotes -- all to science journals, because this book contains real facts researched at great pains by many thousands of scientists: many more than interesting enough to seriously consider. Maybe there is conflicting evidence to consider also. That's why peer-review is so important and worth reading.
I haven't finished more than the first chapter and skipped around a bit: I will find time to read and maybe buy this book. Who cares if the writer dyes her hair: it's her body and if she's willing to take what I believe is a dangerous risk that's her trip. We're all filled with contradictions: most of us don't always eat healthily and do healthy things. We all have things we can't seem to live without and it's our choice whatever we do.
At least don't put your head in the sand and refuse to be informed by facts in black and white.
Be educated: know the possible risks despite what your lifestyle choices are.

[Dr. Ashori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Cohen does a comprehensive job of listing all the different chemical agents we are exposed to but her approach and the patient examples she gave makes it seem that chemicals are the main problem and not other factors like stress, food access, and overuse of medications. This book was missing a scientific approach to the toxin situation minus objectivity.
In one of her case studies she dismissed a glass of whiskey that person was having nightly as inconsequential even though alcohol could be considered a toxin. But just as not everyone needs to cut out alcohol, I suspect not everyone will benefit from a reverse osmosis system or needs to rush and wash the hands of their child who came into contact with a playground filled with old tire threads, as she suggests. As for tap water coming into contact with the skin, it's possible that she will end up being right in the future but because that information is not aligned with what we know so far, it's alarmist at best and misinformation, at worst.
This book is still valuable because she has put in a lot effort into providing the proper information but it wasn't presented objectively which is the reason for the 3-star. I'd still recommend it to any of my patients who believes that environmental toxins are the leading cause of their health.

[Suzanne Hackenmiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read. Written by the nation’s foremost medical expert on the topic of environmental toxins and their effects on the human body, this book covers it all—from understanding where and how toxins have infiltrated our water, air, and food supply, to learning how these chemicals affect our health, to developing a systematic plan to assess and avoid toxins, and then to add healthy alternatives into our lifestyles. This book could not have been released at a more appropriate time, as people are (finally) starting to ask the very questions that are answered in its pages. I am recommending this book to all my friends, family, and patients!

[Carla Winheim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wet well written and easy to read. It has a plan to help you detox your home. But really you can go as far as you want in cleaning things out that are toxic.
I was surprised to find some of the products I use are horrible but others are very good.
You can go all out or start substituting as you run out of products. This also includes homemade cleaners and recipes. It was very good.

[Amy Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend everyone read this book, especially if you value agency over your health. If you are completely unaware of the toxic load we all endure on a daily basis, it may be a bit overwhelming, but stick with it. Knowledge is power, and this information could literally save your life or at the very least prolong it and improve the quality.

[Kristel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is clear that you can't get rid of all toxins but then goes on to detail how bad things are for you so I felt really anxious after reading this and very gloomy. The information seems solid and has research annotations.

[Nancy Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, in easy to understand language. I learned a lot - and found it enlightening. I hope to put into practice a lot of the sensible solutions they presented. I took my time reading it so that I could absorb all that was shared within the pages.

[Boonen Brett · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is complete BS. Cherry picking data and studies, neglecting own bias, pushing products and straight out lies. Don't spend your money on this

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 1 out of 5]

mostly lost

[Valerie]

She lost me at replacing all the pipes in the house to make my tap water safe.

[Kurt Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant unbiased book that everyone can benefit from reading