Hollywood actresses who undergo cleansing with sodium and lemon mixtures as part of detoxification diets receive significant media attention, although evidence is missing to prove that cleansing really has any long-term benefit to your weight. While cleansing kits are easily available without a prescription, the procedures often trigger unpleasant side effects. Seek your doctor's input before considering any cleanse with sodium or lemons to lose weight.
Significance
Detox diets are promoted as a method to achieve fast weight loss and rid your body of harmful toxins. Numerous detox diets exist, and most feature some type of cleanse procedure that involves drinking a liquid mixture. Lemon water and sodium, or salt, are contained in a prominent detox diet called the Master Cleanse, as well as in many other detox diets. Although some doctors prescribe a colon cleanse in advance of a medical procedure, research is lacking to show a cleanse with lemons, sodium or other ingredients helps you stay thin.
Function and Time Frame
People who participate in a detox diet forego solid foods in favor of liquids for up to 20 days. Your daily regimen may begin with a glass of sodium water in the morning, followed throughout the day and early evening with several glasses of a lemonade-based mixture that also includes ingredients like maple syrup and cayenne pepper. Your day ends with a laxative tea or other form of laxative. Proponents of detox diets believe the lemon water breaks down waste in your colon, while sodium water accelerates the removal of the waste by flushing your colon.
Evidence
A decision to bypass regular food in favor of salt water and lemon-based mixtures often triggers short-term weight loss, although your risk for regaining the weight once you resume a nutritious diet is high. Most pounds lost during detox diets consist of water weight or muscle rather than fat. Claims that cleanse procedures free your body of toxins, relieve suffering from conditions like arthritis or even decrease your chance of diseases like cancer by strengthening your immune system, are made without support from scientific research. Your body's natural digestion system effectively cleanses your body of wastes and dangerous chemicals and doesn't require the assistance of sodium water or lemons.
Health Risks
Your body's ability to protect you from infections and disease is weakened when you undergo diets that prohibit healthy foods, as your immune system is deprived of essential vitamins and minerals. Women who are pregnant and people with kidney and heart problems, as well as diabetes, face a higher threat from detox diets since the diets also trigger blood sugar problems and imbalances in your levels of sodium and potassium.
Considerations
Avoid the potential damage to your body that often results from cleansing with sodium and lemons by following a healthy diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole-grain products and plenty of water. Regular exercise on most days of the week for at least 30 minutes also benefits weight loss.
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