First Published Oct 27, 2023
Are you wondering what blood purification is?
Blood purification refers to medical treatments, such as dialysis or apheresis, used in serious conditions to remove harmful substances from the blood. These are specialized procedures performed under medical supervision. At the same time, many alternative therapies and wellness approaches focus on supporting the body’s natural ability to maintain balance, as the liver and kidneys already play a key role in filtering and cleansing the blood.
Blood plays a critical role in the body, helping transport oxygen, nutrients, and waste products, while also supporting immune defense and blood circulation. Understanding how blood purification therapy works, and when it is actually needed, can help clarify the difference between legitimate medical care and general wellness claims.
How Does Blood Purification Work?
In medical settings, blood purification therapy often works through extracorporeal circulation, meaning blood is temporarily removed from the body, processed, and then returned as purified blood.
This process may involve:
- Filtration to remove waste from the blood
- Separation of plasma from blood cells
- Removal of harmful or excess substances from the blood
- Returning the cleaned blood back into circulation
These systems are used when the body’s natural ability to filter and regulate blood is impaired.
Types of Blood Purification Therapy
There are several clinically recognized types of blood purification therapy, each used for specific conditions:
1. Filtration and Renal Replacement Therapy
Filtration-based therapies are commonly used when the kidneys and liver cannot adequately remove waste. These methods involve circulating blood outside the body through specialized filters to remove excess fluids, toxins, and inflammatory mediators.
In critically ill patients, continuous filtration methods, known as renal replacement therapy, may be used to support multiple organ functions. One example is hemodiafiltration, which combines dialysis and filtration to help manage fluid balance, electrolyte levels, and inflammation.
2. Dialysis
Dialysis is one of the most widely used forms of blood purification, particularly for patients with kidney failure.
During dialysis, blood is circulated through an external system where a membrane separates waste products from essential components. Waste such as urea, excess electrolytes, and fluid are removed, while blood cells and proteins are returned to the body.
This process helps maintain stable internal conditions when the kidneys are no longer able to effectively remove waste from the blood.
3. Adsorption and Hemoperfusion
Adsorption-based techniques, including hemoperfusion and plasma-based systems, are designed to remove harmful substances that standard filtration may not capture.
These methods often involve separating plasma from whole blood and passing it through a cartridge that binds toxins, drugs, or inflammatory compounds. The treated plasma is then returned to circulation.
This approach is sometimes used in severe infections or poisoning cases where rapid removal of specific compounds is required.
4. Therapeutic Apheresis (Plasma Exchange)
Therapeutic apheresis is used to remove or modify specific components in the blood, such as antibodies, lipids, or inflammatory markers. In plasma exchange, blood plasma is separated, treated, and replaced to help manage autoimmune or neurological conditions.
5. Chelation Therapy (Targeted Use for Specific Substances)
Chelation therapy is a specialized treatment used to remove certain heavy metals from the body. A chelating agent binds to metals such as lead or iron, allowing them to be excreted through urine.
While effective for specific conditions like heavy metal toxicity, chelation is not a general method to detox or purify the blood and is only used under medical supervision as part of a defined treatment plan.
When Blood Purification Is Actually Used
Medical blood purification is not a routine wellness treatment. It is used in specific clinical situations, including:
- Kidney failure requiring dialysis
- Autoimmune conditions treated with apheresis
- Severe infections or inflammatory conditions
- Critical illness involving multiple organ dysfunction
General Wellness Claims
In contrast, many claims about “detoxing” or how to purify your blood naturally vary in the level of scientific evidence supporting them. The body already removes toxins effectively through its natural systems, while some approaches may be used to support overall wellness alongside these natural processes.
Blood Purification vs Detox
There is an important distinction between medical blood purification therapy and general “detox” claims.
- Medical blood purification involves controlled procedures like dialysis or apheresis, used to treat serious health conditions.
- “Detox” approaches, such as supplements or diets claiming to cleanse your blood, often lack scientific backing.
Maintaining kidney and liver health is far more effective than relying on unproven detox methods.
Does Blood Purification Work?
In medical settings, blood purification is effective when used appropriately—for example, in dialysis or therapeutic apheresis, where removing harmful substances or controlling inflammation can be life-saving.
However, outside these clinical uses, there is limited evidence that non-medical methods can significantly purify the blood. Most detox claims do not reflect how the body actually regulates and filters blood.
How the Body Naturally Purifies Blood
If you are wondering what cleans your blood or how to clean your blood, the answer lies in the body’s natural systems:
- Liver – helps convert food into energy and break down toxins into safer compounds
- Kidneys – filter waste from the blood and regulate fluid balance
- Lungs – remove carbon dioxide from the bloodstream
- Lymphatic system – supports immune defense and fluid balance
These systems continuously remove waste and maintain healthy blood in the body without the need for external detox methods.
When to Seek Medical Evaluation
Symptoms like fatigue, digestive changes, or skin issues can have many causes and are not reliable indicators of toxin buildup.
If you experience persistent symptoms such as:
- Ongoing fatigue
- Changes in bowel habits
- Unexplained skin reactions
It’s important to consult a healthcare provider. These may be related to underlying conditions affecting kidney and liver health, rather than a need to “clean your blood.”
Supporting Your Body’s Natural Filtration
Rather than focusing on how to detox your blood, it is more effective to support kidney and liver health through:
- A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats
- Staying hydrated to support blood circulation
- Managing conditions like high blood pressure and blood sugar
- Limiting exposure to harmful chemicals
These habits help maintain the body’s natural ability to clean your blood and regulate overall health.
Blood Purification and Integrative Care with ITC
At Immunity Therapy Center, blood purification approaches are considered within a broader, personalized treatment plan. Therapies are selected based on each patient’s condition, with a focus on supporting the body’s natural systems and overall well-being.
If you are exploring alternative cancer treatment options, speaking with a qualified medical team can help determine whether any form of blood purification therapy is appropriate for your needs.
Sources:
- NIH. Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/pfc/index.cfm#footnote1
- U.S. Food Drug Administration. Blood Purification Devices EUAs. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-emergency-use-authorizations-medical-devices/blood-purification-devices-euas
- National Kidney Foundation. Hemodialysis. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/hemodialysis
- ScienceDirect. Blood Purification. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/blood-purification
- Hirasawa, H et al. “Blood purification for prevention and treatment of multiple organ failure.” World journal of surgery vol. 20,4 (1996): 482-6. doi:10.1007/s002689900076. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8662139/
- Verywell Health. What Is Chelation Therapy? https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-chelation-90006
- Healthline.com. Blood Purifier: Can You Cleanse and Purify Your Blood Naturally? https://www.healthline.com/health/blood-purifier#foods-to-eat
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