Toxins and pollutants exist everywhere in the industrialized world. Given how much bad stuff enters your body every day, you may be seduced by the idea of a body cleanse or "detox" diet designed to purge these unhealthy chemicals from your system. Keep in mind, however, that body cleanse diets are not backed up with scientific evidence, and you should never make drastic dietary changes without consulting a health care professional first.
Cleansing Methods
Generally, detox diets call for temporary abstinence from certain foods, or all solid food. Many detox diet promoters sell herbal or fiber supplements to help your body purge itself of poisons. Body cleansing advocate and Global College of Natural Medicine founder, Lynn Hardy, N.D., writes "Any cleansing program should begin with the colon." She encourages people to irrigate their colons with enemas.
Diet Features
Mayo Clinic nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky describes the typical body cleanse diet as lasting between seven and 10 days. Some diets call for total abstinence from solid food -- participants may drink only natural juices or water and may take diuretic supplements. Other diets allow you to eat certain fruits and vegetables. Even detractors or skeptics of detox diets such as Zeratsky agree that a diet based on fruits and vegetables is healthy. However, eliminating entire food groups from your diet for days at a time could be dangerous.
Benefits
According to Hardy and other body-cleanse enthusiasts, detox diets and their accompanying procedures reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases and conditions, including cancer, asthma, diabetes and arthritis. Detox programs often feature testimonials from satisfied customers who claim the procedures give them increased energy and focus. However, there is no scientific evidence that body cleansing procedures produce these effects. Zeratsky speculates that the positive effects may be psychosomatic, caused by a "belief that they're doing something good for their bodies."
Warning
Zeratsky warns that possible side effects of a body cleanse plan may include fatigue, dizziness, nausea and dehydration. Diets that contain excessive amounts of fiber or other diuretics herbs and supplements that may cause excessive urination, loose stool and diarrhea. In extreme cases, such diuretics could damage your liver. Consider, too, that because most detox diet plans and supplements do not contain drugs, they are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration and their makers do not need to report the amount of all ingredients included.
Alternatives
Dr. Joseph Mercola, a "New York Times" bestselling author and founder of the website Mercola, identified thousands of toxins in North America's air, water and food supply in 2007 and proposed ways to avoid or minimize the ingestion of them. He suggests that, whenever possible, you should buy organic and free-range foods, eschewing highly processed foods and food additives -- including artificial sweeteners -- laden with chemicals. Because fish is often contaminated with mercury, replace fish in your diet with highly quality, purified cod liver or fish oils. Use all-natural household products, including cleaning agents, shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, cosmetics and antiperspirants.
If your diet is based on thoroughly washed fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein and whole grains, your body should be able to eliminate toxins itself. (See References 2 and 4)
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