Many health spas, weight loss clinics and other organizations promote specific detox diet programs that often include consuming special detox drinks and adhering to a very restricted caloric intake. One such diet, the Tahara detox diet, claims that dieters can experience rapid weight loss and improved health. However, experts disagree with the theory behind such diets and warn of potential health hazards.
About the Diet
The Tahara detox diet is promoted by an organization called the Tahara Center, based out of Lancaster, Calif. The main aspect of the diet involves drinking the Tahara diet detox formula, which is available for purchase from the company's website as of 2011. The formula is a fermented juice made from organic vegetables, fruits and herbs, and the Tahara Center notes that the juice contains all organic ingredients with no additives or preservatives. The program lasts two weeks, and there is a fasting component to the diet, after which dieters are also urged to follow the Tahara diet program by eating organic vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Claims
The Tahara Center claims that by following the Tahara detox program, dieters can lose at least five to seven pounds a week. The organization further claims that toxins stored in your fatty tissues can contribute to many health problems, and drinking the detox formula can help rid your body of these harmful toxins. In addition to rapid weight loss, the Tahara Center asserts that their detox diet can help control allergies, asthma, hypertension, high cholesterol and other ailments.
Dangers
Losing five to seven pounds per week is generally considered unhealthy, and rapid weight loss due to fasting and restrictive detox diets can cause unpleasant side effects such as dizziness and vitamin and electrolyte imbalances. The Weight-Control Information Network also notes that losing more than three pounds per week may increase your risk of developing painful gallstones. Rapid weight loss can also slow your metabolism, weaken your immune system and put you at risk for cardiac stress and dehydration.
Considerations
The Tahara Center offers no scientific evidence that their weight loss and detox diet is either safe or effective. Further, the practice of detoxing to remove body toxins is also a contested topic with a lack of scientific evidence to support its claims. Michael Picco, M.D., assistant professor of medicine from the Mayo Clinic's College of Medicine, notes that a functioning liver doesn't need help removing toxins from the body, and your best bet is to simply limit or avoid toxin exposure. Nutrition professor Linda Bacon, Ph.D agrees, stating that fasting and detoxing offer no benefits and are simply "magical thinking."
Suggestions
To lose weight without harming your health, you should ideally only drop one-half to two pounds per week. You can accomplish this without negative consequences by eating moderate portions of healthy and nutritious foods and exercising every day.
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