Whole Body Cleanser Detoxifier

Whole body cleansing and detoxification may be on your mind if you don't pay much attention to your diet or lead an unhealthy lifestyle. Although the words "detox" and "cleanse" have no meaning in the world of conventional medicine, the notion that you can purge your body of impurities with a magic diet, supplement, tea or powder can still have strong appeal. The concept of purifying the body dates back thousands of years before advertisers used "detox" and "cleanse" to make their products and programs appealing to consumers.

History

The modern day concept of whole body cleansing and detoxification is rooted in the beliefs of ancient Egyptian healers, who posed that that putrefaction started in the bowels, releasing poisons into the rest of the body, states John Francis Nunn in "Ancient Egyptian Medicine." Citing the writings of Greek historian Herodotus of Halicarnassus, who lived during the fifth century BC, ancient Egyptians purged their bodies three days each month using natural laxatives and enemas due to their belief that the food they ate lingered in the bowels, releasing toxins into the rest of the body. So strong was this belief, the intestines were one of the first organs removed during the process of mummification, Nunn states. Similarly, the ancient Greeks also believed that the cause of all disease originated in the bowels.

Modern Day Detox

The beliefs of the ancients linger on today and are reflected in the products designed to cleanse and detoxify the whole body, although the notion of autointoxication has been updated for the 21st century to include other toxins as well. According to Huffington Post writer, Dr. Glenn D. Braunstein of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, other dangers to your body include poisons from cigarette smoke, air pollution, pesticides, caffeine, sugar and alcohol, which purportedly make you tired and prone to chronic disease. Yet how products designed to detox and cleanse function is unclear. In January 2009, the Voices of Young Science, a consortium of some 300 researchers, released its "Detox Dossier," which indicated that marketers can't seem to agree on what "detox" really means -- nor do product peddlers or detox advocates have any scientific evidence to support the efficacy of the detox process.

How They Work

Although it's unclear if the word "cleanse" and "detox" are used synonymously by product marketers, according to Harvard Medical School, whole body detoxification is done through special diets that promote fasting and very low intake of calories. Intestinal cleansing, on the other hand, is accomplished by using a number of natural or herbal laxatives that move waste along before its time. According to the National Council Against Health Fraud, or NCAHF, proponents of whole body cleansing may use a combination of herbal supplements, dietary fiber and laxative teas to promote frequent bowel movements, which purportedly rids your body of toxins. However, while these products aren't likely to harm you when used for a single day, they can disrupt your bowels' normal function when used on an ongoing basis, says the NCAHF. Detoxification and cleansing kits can also put a pinch in your pocketbook, costing up to $70 a month, says Harvard Medical School.

Understanding Your Body

It's not necessary to use special cleansers or detoxifiers to purge your body of impurities. According to the VoYS, your body is a self-cleaning mechanism that removes impurities of its own accord. Your skin provides protection against external "toxins," while your liver converts potential poisons into less harmful ones; the remainder is removed from your body by way of your kidneys, which act as a seive. Similarly, your intestines and lymphatic system prevent harmful bacteria and other microbes from escaping into your body. There is no detox diet or cleansing product that can make these organs work more efficiently than they already do.

Better Health

Rather than perform a whole body cleanse or other detox technique, Harvard Medical School offers more practical, less costly suggestions for better health. Simply concentrate on what you can do to make your body a more efficient self-cleanser. Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of fluids, exercise regularly, get enough sleep and see your doctor for regular check-ups.