After a weekend spent overindulging in junk food and alcoholic beverages, a good detox and cleanse program sounds like it may fit the bill. Although the popularity of many self-administered detox and cleanse programs have a contemporary feel, Dr. Stephen Barrett of the National Council Against Health Fraud points out that the notion you can rid your body of "toxins" has been around for thousands of years.
History
The ancient Egyptians may have been the original "cleansers." According to Barrett, they believed that the fecal matter inside their bowels caused their body to decay, hence their use of enemas and natural laxatives. Autointoxication is the belief there are poisons in the food you eat that decay in your bowels, spreading poison to the rest of your body, Barrett explains, although the theory of autointoxication is now extended to other environmental factors, such as air pollution. Autointoxication was an accepted theory among physicians of the earth 20th century until surgical procedures advanced to the point where the internal organs could be observed and physicians discovered that waste did not "reabsorb" into the body. Yet many people in the 21st century continue to believe in the theory of autointoxication --- that unidentified "toxins" pollute their bowels and blood vis-a-vis the impacted waste and even the air they breathe.
Detox Diets
Detox diets are popular among those who feel the need to get rid of toxins, according to Mayo Clinic nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky. These diets, which last between a week and 10 days, may involve fasting using water, juices or a very limited diet, coupled with herbal supplements. Some detox diets also suggest the use of enemas. However, as Zeratsky points out, there's no research to prove that a detox diet does anything for you, and they can be dangerous, leading to fatigue, dizziness, nausea and dehydration. Additionally, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, points out that natural herbal supplements aren't necessarily safe --- when taken in high dosages, the active constituents in herbal supplements can be toxic. They may also not be safe to take if you have a certain medical condition or take other medications and supplements.
Colon Cleanse
Advocates of colonic irrigation, sometimes called "colon cleansing," are firm believers in the theory of autointoxication. The belief that toxins can lead to health problems like allergies, asthma and arthritis is scientifically unfounded, says Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist Michael Picco, M.D. Colon cleansing is used on patients before they receive a colonoscopy; otherwise, there's no real reason to use enemas, diets or supplements to remove waste. A side effect of colon cleansing is dehydration, says Picco. Additionally, certain laxatives, such as those that contain sodium phosphate, are dangerous for people with heart or kidney disease.
"Medically Meaningless"
British physician Ben Goldacre, author of the book "Bad Science" and columnist for The Sunday Times, approaches detox and cleanse programs from a cultural and sociological perspective. Goldacre points to the number of week-long, one-day plans, herbal supplements, devices and diets that purport to purge and purify your system, which won't make a permanent difference in your life --- or your health. Detox, he says, "... plays out a ubiquitous and ancient cultural role, blending a modicum of common sense with huge doses of ritual and personal melodrama ... The notion of detox is medically meaningless. A vast army of marketers and lifestyle gurus has erected an entirely new physiological system." The need to detox and cleanse is simply a ritual to purge ourselves from too much nutritionally vacant food, alcohol, drugs and other unhealthy activities, he says.
Other Dangers
The detox fad has given rise to scurrilous marketers of shady sham devices, such as detox foot pads --- adhesive devices that are attached to the bottom of your feet and purportedly draw out toxins as you sleep. Detox foot baths claim to work the same way and typically involve a spa treatment or purchase of an expensive home device. Although a detox and cleanse program may seem nonthreatening --- except perhaps to your wallet --- Barrett indicates that the true danger of this fad is when you use it in lieu of necessary medical care.
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