Detox was once used mainly to describe medical procedures that cleared out dangerous levels of toxic substances such as poisons, according to the "Harvard HEALTHbeat." Now the concept of body detox extends to basic at-home and spa procedures that allegedly help clear your body of years' worth of accumulated toxic sludge. Promoters of detox programs and products believe that the payoff is a healthier, more rejuvenated body.
Types of Detox
Detox diets generally require you to fast, consume only liquids or remove many types of food from your diet for at least 10 days. One of the most widely followed detox diets, the Master Cleanse diet, requires dieters to drink only liquids such as laxative tea, saltwater and an elixir of water, lemon juice, cayenne pepper and maple syrup. Colon cleansing regimens -- which also claim to help purify the whole body -- can also include the use of laxatives, but may involve using a high-fiber supplement and enemas. Some spas and other facilities offer detox colonics or colon hydrotherapy, which involves injecting water into the colon and flushing out fecal matter. Foot detox is another body detox method and usually involves applying a special adhesive pad to the bottom of your feet or placing your feet in an "ionic foot bath," both of which supposedly pull toxins out through the bottom of your feet.
Effectiveness
Detox dieting and colon cleansing both make similar claims about removing toxins and trapped fecal matter through bowel movements. Although proponents of these detox methods claim to feel lighter and healthier in days following their body detox, very little scientific evidence proves that such detox programs can remove toxins from your body or provide any health benefits, according to Health Services at Columbia University. Similarly, no scientific evidence suggests that any type of foot detox can actually pull toxins out through the feet. The pads likely change color as a result of an interaction between perspiration and wood vinegar, and the color of the water in the foot bath likely changes due to corrosion of the metal electrodes.
Risks
Detox diets are often so low in nutrients that they increase your risk of developing deficiencies and reduced immunity. Detox diets may also cause symptoms such as fatigue, nausea and dizziness. Whether you're following a detox diet or performing a colon-cleansing regimen, the use of laxatives can cause serious dehydration and disrupt healthy bacteria in your intestines that regulate your digestion, warns "Harvard HEALTHbeat." In some cases, being dehydrated for too long can lead to a potentially fatal level of acidity in your blood. Physically cleansing your colon with an enema or with a colonics tube can lead to bowel perforations and increases your risk of infection. Although foot detox methods are unlikely to cause physical damage, they are expensive and may increase your risk of health problems if you use them hoping to treat conditions that need medical attention.
Making a Decision
Your body should be able to protect itself against many environmental toxins as long as you take care of it. Simple healthy habits such as sleeping well, exercising daily, drinking water throughout the day, eating fresh fruits and vegetables and seeing your doctor for check-ups are ideal ways to keep your system healthy. If you're still interested in trying a detox diet, first get tips and clearance from your doctor to be sure you're not at high risk of serious side effects.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Colon Cleansing; Michael Picco, M.D.
- Weight Loss Resources: Detox Diets Under the Spotlight
- MayoClinic.com; Detox Diets: Do They Work?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
- Health Services at Columbia University; Can Fasting Help Purge the Body of Toxins?; August 30, 2002
- "Harvard HEALTHbeat": The Dubious Practice of Detox
- Health Services at Columbia University; Colon Cleanse; 2008
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