Detoxification diets make many bold claims including flushing your body of toxins, fats and other substances. Many particularly focus on helping the liver, your body's main detoxifier. By cleaning yourself out, you can supposedly lose weight, clear up your skin and strengthen your immune system among other feats. These sorts of diets vary widely and do not have widespread support among health professionals.
Necessity
Dr. Nasir Maloo, a California-based gastroenterologist, explains to MSNBC.com that you do not need aggressive fasting detoxifications to rid your body of toxins. He notes that organs like your liver, kidneys and skin have been designed to detoxify your body, and they can handle this job efficiently. Susan Moores, R.D., and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, notes that little evidence exists that shows detoxification diets offer any benefit.
Basis of Detoxification Diet
A number of detoxification diets exist, ranging in severity. Some just resemble healthier eating plans that emphasize plant foods over fatty meats and dairy products. Others involve prolonged periods of fasting, where you consume nothing but specific liquids and, sometimes, certain nutritional supplements. Regardless of the type of diet, they aim to improve your body's ability to digest food and eliminate toxins as well as increase your overall energy and sense of well-being.
Food-Based Diets
When it comes to helping your body process toxins more readily, Wendy Hodson, a naturopathic physician writing for DietChannel.com, stresses the importance of eating nutrient-rich plant foods over the long-term to benefit liver health. She particularly recommends eating high-fiber foods as well as those rich in vitamins C, E and B. She does note however, that medically supervised fasts can offer benefits in certain situations.
Naturopathic physician Ronald Steriti, writing for his website NaturalDoctor.com, outlines a food-based detoxification diet that he recommends following for at least five days. He stresses herbal teas, fruits and vegetables and recommends eliminating animal proteins, sugar and all processed foods. These sorts of detoxification diets probably represent a better option over more restrictive ones since they provide adequate nutrition. You should work with a doctor or other health care professional well-versed in nutritional therapies like these for guidance.
Weight Loss Considerations
The desire to lose weight often fuels the desire to try a detoxification diet, especially the more extreme ones that eliminate all food. The weight loss typically results from the severe calorie restriction, and you are likely to regain the weight, particularly if you go back to unhealthy eating habits. Since many of these diets promote the use of laxatives, possible dehydration from using the bathroom so much can also reduce the number on the scales. Lastly, much of the weight you lose will stem from muscle loss since you restrict nutrients necessary to maintain them.
Warnings
Detoxification diets can cause a number of serious problems. They can lead to muscle breakdown, problems with blood sugar, nutritional deficiencies and intestinal problems, notes Moore. You should never attempt these types of diets if you have kidney or heart problems, diabetes or are pregnant or nursing. They can also pose dangers for the elderly, children and teenagers and anyone with intestinal disorders.
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