The Best 2- Or 3-day Detox To Lose Weight

The physics of weight loss are simple, but the reality is hard. Take in fewer calories than you burn off and you will lose weight steadily -- and slowly. If you are looking to lose weight quickly, look closer at how it works. No 3-day detox will melt your extra fat or affect how quickly your body flushes out the toxins you've been taking in. Even starving for three days is not guaranteed to burn actual fat; because you'll lose water weight first. But, there are benefits to a 2- or 3-day diet of fresh, whole fruits and vegetables.

Detox Facts

MayoClinic.com's Katherine Zeratsky says your liver and kidneys work constantly to neutralize and remove toxins from your body. Professor Tom Sanders, of the department of nutrition at Kings College London, agrees, referring to detoxification diets as "rubbish." But there are definitely things you can do to make your liver's job a little easier, and the best one, according to assistant professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Michael Picco, M.D, is to stop putting toxins into your body.

Weight Loss Facts

One pound of fat contains 3,500 calories, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So, to lose one pound of fat, you have to burn off 3,500 more calories than you take in. Registered dietitian Joy Bauer states in a 2009 article in "USA Today" that you cannot expect long term results from a detox diet, and that much of the weight you lose will be water weight.

Healthy "Detox" Plan

A two- to three-day diet of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and plenty of water will help your body clean itself out better than a rigid and restrictive detox, according to dietitian Bauer, author of "Joy's Life Diet." Registered dietitian Keith Ayoob, of New York's Albert Einstein College of Medicine, concurs, pointing out that the fiber in vegetables and fruits is often referred to as "nature's broom." You can avoid animal proteins during your three-day program, but do not stay on a very low calorie protein-free diet for more than three days, or you risk having your body consume muscle mass to make up the protein deficiency.

Benefits

According to an article in the "Sunday Times Online," called "Detoxing Can be Bad For Your Health," most detox programs strictly forbid animal proteins and processed foods. The article also states that even though nutrition experts agree that detoxing does not work, eating more vegetables and fruits and less fast food and snacks for a few days certainly won't hurt you. The Harvard School of Public Health recommends that you consume at least 4 1/2 cups of fruits and vegetables every day, along with whole grains, nuts, seeds and lean protein. Many fruits are high in vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant and helps support your immune system. Vegetables are high in fiber, which helps your excretory system do its job. The School of Public Health recommends that you choose a wide variety of colorful vegetables as a general habit. Keep in mind that no two- or three-day plan will magically remove toxins from your body or make fat disappear.

Conclusion

There is no two- or three-day detox that will help you achieve healthy and sustainable weight loss. St. Mark's Hospital consulting gastroenterologist Dr. Alistaire Forbes points out that the fiber and antioxidants in vegetables and fruits are necessary for the health of your digestive and excretory systems. He states that if going on a detox diet of fruits and vegetables helps you develop the habit of including them in your diet more regularly, then it's fine for you to do so.