Holistic health practitioners often state that humans walk around with an untold number of parasites and toxins in their bodies. These come from our diets and environments. Total-body cleansing diets aim to allow the body to rid itself of these toxins through natural eating. According to Every Diet, the medical science behind these plans has little truth behind it, yet these cleansing diets do carry some benefits if used for the right reasons.
Premise
The total-body cleanse diet revolves around the idea that humans constantly breathe and ingest toxins. These toxins clog your digestive system, leading to fat storage and the inability to gain nutrients from the foods you consumed. Proponents of the cleansing diet believe that they flush out some of these contaminants, helping the body function as it was designed to function. The total-body cleanse diet is not inherently a weight-loss diet, although the limited food intake may lead to some minor weight loss.
How It Works
While on the total body cleanse diet, you consume healthy whole foods, preferably organic options, which have limited pesticides and other chemicals. Total Body Cleanse.org indicates dieters should eat organic produce, beans, rice, herbs, whole grains and quinoa. During the cleansing period, avoid meats, especially red meats, fried foods, refined sugars, diary products and processed foods. Dieters must also drink adequate amounts of water. The website recommends drinking half of your body weight in ounces of water each day. Fasting for one to two days may also be recommended.
Supplements
Many body-cleansing programs advocate the use of a cleansing supplement to aid the body in the release of toxins. Advocates of these supplements believe that the herbs they contain speed up the elimination of harmful toxins. Supplements may contain colon cleansers that stimulate frequent bowel movements, which proponents believe will fuel the expulsion of toxins. Before beginning any dietary supplement, discuss the dangers of the herbs it contains with your doctor. According to Diet Spotlight, one common body-cleanse product creates feelings of thirst and dehydration in those who take it.
Benefits
Changing your diet to one that includes high amounts of organic fruits and vegetables and whole grains is a healthy change. These foods provide the body with a low-calorie source of energy, and they also contain many nutrients for healthy living. If you suffer from frequent constipation, the additional fiber and the colon-cleansing attributes of the supplements often used in a total-body cleanse can help clear up your constipation. Some who do the total-body cleanse will experience temporary weight loss as the body loses retained water and other waste products.
Drawbacks
The total-body cleanse is not a weight-loss diet. While the diet itself is healthy and provides most of the nutrients your body needs, it will not lead to weight loss unless you burn more calories than you consume. Body-cleansing supplements can cause bowel discomfort and diarrhea. The sudden increased intake of fiber through the diet and supplements can cause an increase in flatulence. Some cleansing routines advocate fasting. You should not go on a long-term fast without consulting your doctor.
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