There are several types of detox programs available, and they include weight-loss plans, herbal cleanses and colonics. The safety of following detox programs is debated, and they are not recommended by most scientific and medical organizations. Despite this, their popularity seems to be growing.
Weight-loss Detox
The Master Cleanse or Lemonade diet is a popular fat-flushing diet that has several variations. The diet is purported to be a simple beverage plan made of lemon juice, water, cayenne pepper and maple syrup that is mixed and consumed whenever the dieter feels hungry. After 10 days, if you can "overcome the psychological need to eat," it promises weight loss, increased energy and a toxin-free body. According to Master Cleanse, side effects include dizziness, nausea, fatigue, flu-like symptoms and headaches. The Mayo Clinic describes these side effects as potentially dangerous.
A similar diet is the Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox, which the American Dietetic Association describes as "cumbersome" and potentially concerning. Some of the concepts are supported scientifically, like reducing fat intake, but some are not, like food combining for optimal absorption. This diet involves consuming juices and soups made of fruits and vegetables, but it avoids solid foods in order to "rest" the gastrointestinal tract.
Herbal Cleanse
Dr. Phil's Shape Up diet is a pill-based herbal cleanse available in most major supermarkets, according an MSNBC report. The original concept of the diet was that dieters would consume multiple pills daily and begin "flushing" fat from the body without any effort, but both the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and MSNBC report that the monthly cost of such a diet was $60 to $120. The CSPI cast doubt upon the scientifically designed supplements, stating that "none of the pills' ingredients has been shown to promote weight loss." Other easily purchased herbal cleansers include Nature's Secret Herbal Cleanse, Nature's Secret Ultimate Cleanse, and Arbonne Herbal Colon Cleanse. Safety concerns and nutritional science support is similar for these products and are generally regarded by the CSPI as costly and ineffective.
Colonics
The University of South Alabama College of Medicine lists methods of colonics as including cathartic regimens, gut lavage and phosphate preparations. Cathartic regimens are similar conventional colonoscopy procedures, and gut lavage methods include ingesting a solution designed to cleanse the colon. Phosphate preparations are also mixtures that are intended to cleanse the colon through the consumption of a solution and are reported to be more tolerated than the gut lavage solutions. The South Alabama College of Medicine concluded that the methods are effective for most, but that there were concerns about patients with heart, kidney and liver dysfunctions. Colonic cleanses can be obtained from private practitioners, but be sure of the practitioners credentials and experience prior to committing to treatment.
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