NUTRITION
The Detox Dilemma
By H.K. Jones
Detox diets make a whole lot of promises, from flushing out poisons, melting away excess fat, and bolstering the immune system to clearing the complexion, supplying energy, and even curing diseases. The basic idea is to “detoxify” the body of harmful substance so it can perform optimally, while at the same time magically causing your body to shed unwanted pounds. Although the length and details of detox diets vary, most often they involve some version of a fast (usually water or juice) coupled with a period of severe calorie restriction and food limitation. Many programs also encourage colonic irrigation and herbal supplements to further assist the "purification" process.
For example, adherents of the popular Master Cleanse diet drink only lemon juice mixed with cayenne pepper, maple syrup, and water, as well as salt water and laxative tea for 10 days. Followers of this and other detox diets say that as their fat burns away, it takes harmful toxins along with it.
So where do all these harmful substances come from? Well, toxins, or substances that damage the structure or function of body cells and tissues, are everywhere. They’re in the foods we eat, the liquids we drink, and the air we breathe. Some come from external sources, such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, pesticides, heavy metals, processed food, preservatives, additives, and airborne allergens, while others are created internally (free radicals and metabolic waste). There are dozens of books and hundreds of web sites that promote regimens to get rid of all these nasty toxins, and spas and health clubs alike invite dieters to detoxify themselves for good health and physical well-being.
The question is: Do detox diets work?
In a word: no. The body has its own natural and extraordinary cleansing system which works effectively to filter and eliminate waste. When healthy, the body works like a well-organized sanitation system to clean out accumulated toxins via the skin, lungs, kidney, and the hard-working liver. The liver acts as the body’s dump truck, filtering blood of impurities and producing bile, which carries pollutants out of the body, and also produces essential enzymes that help break down toxins, rendering them harmless.
The fact is, there’s no scientific evidence to support the claims made for detox diets and there's zippo proof that these extreme regimens do anything more than lead to unpleasant and unhealthy side effects. Vitamin deficiencies, muscle breakdown due to lack of protein in the diet, and blood-sugar problems, as well as increased and not-so-pleasant bowel movements, are just some of the serious drawbacks to these restrictive plans. So despite all the hype about periodic, intensive cleansing programs, a daily detox-friendly lifestyle is much more effective (and a lot less dangerous) than trying to play catch up a few times a year. Follow these simple, nutrition-based decisions and you will help your body rebuild its natural strength and you’ll develop healthy habits to last a lifetime.
For example, adherents of the popular Master Cleanse diet drink only lemon juice mixed with cayenne pepper, maple syrup, and water, as well as salt water and laxative tea for 10 days. Followers of this and other detox diets say that as their fat burns away, it takes harmful toxins along with it.
So where do all these harmful substances come from? Well, toxins, or substances that damage the structure or function of body cells and tissues, are everywhere. They’re in the foods we eat, the liquids we drink, and the air we breathe. Some come from external sources, such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, pesticides, heavy metals, processed food, preservatives, additives, and airborne allergens, while others are created internally (free radicals and metabolic waste). There are dozens of books and hundreds of web sites that promote regimens to get rid of all these nasty toxins, and spas and health clubs alike invite dieters to detoxify themselves for good health and physical well-being.
The question is: Do detox diets work?
In a word: no. The body has its own natural and extraordinary cleansing system which works effectively to filter and eliminate waste. When healthy, the body works like a well-organized sanitation system to clean out accumulated toxins via the skin, lungs, kidney, and the hard-working liver. The liver acts as the body’s dump truck, filtering blood of impurities and producing bile, which carries pollutants out of the body, and also produces essential enzymes that help break down toxins, rendering them harmless.
The fact is, there’s no scientific evidence to support the claims made for detox diets and there's zippo proof that these extreme regimens do anything more than lead to unpleasant and unhealthy side effects. Vitamin deficiencies, muscle breakdown due to lack of protein in the diet, and blood-sugar problems, as well as increased and not-so-pleasant bowel movements, are just some of the serious drawbacks to these restrictive plans. So despite all the hype about periodic, intensive cleansing programs, a daily detox-friendly lifestyle is much more effective (and a lot less dangerous) than trying to play catch up a few times a year. Follow these simple, nutrition-based decisions and you will help your body rebuild its natural strength and you’ll develop healthy habits to last a lifetime.
- Drink plenty of water: Pure water is crucial in helping the liver process waste, so aim for 10-plus cups a day. Purchase a home-filtration system or drink bottled spring, artesian, or purified water. Products vary widely; check the box to see whether a filter is certified by NSF International, an independent sanitation testing organization.
- Cut back on booze and caffeine: As you increase your H2O intake, decrease your alcohol and caffeine consumption. Too much alcohol increases acetaldehyde production (a toxic by-product of alcohol breakdown that destroys liver cells) and interferes with the liver’s ability to break down fats. Caffeine overstimulates the adrenals (glands that produce stress hormones, such as adrenalin), and temporarily raises blood pressure.
- Focus on whole foods: Refined flour, sugar, hydrogenated fats, preservatives and artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners—processed food is a toxic wasteland. Focus on foods that are in their whole form—the way nature made them. More good news: Whole foods contain more fiber, which helps move toxins out of your body. Kidney and black beans, soybeans, lentils, chickpeas, nuts and seeds, vegetables and fruits, and whole grains such as amaranth, barley, buckwheat, oats, and quinoa, are high-fiber sources that cleanse your body naturally.
- Up your intake of vegetables and fruits: All fruits and veggies are chock full of beneficial antioxidants and phytochemicals that neutralize harmful free radicals, bolster the immune system, and reduce damage to cells.
- Eat organic: Certified organic foods are free of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, growth hormones, and genetically-engineered substances, and that translates into a whole lot less toxins. Whenever possible, choose organic fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy, as well as wild-caught fish.
andymatic wrote:
erios: Supporting data and links?
Jul 21 6:55 PM
Faster wrote:
They usually add minerals and other stuff in bottled water which makes it "better" than regular tap water.
Tap water can also contain iron from the pipes - which is not good. Especially if you get hot water from the tap it will contain iron.
Jul 21 9:45 AM
projectra wrote:
I'm actually pleased this article has been posted. As someone who was once diagnosed with anorexia, a diet such as the Master Cleanse diet is extreme and quite unhealthy. I had someone suggest that diet plan to me and honestly felt it would tip me over into the abyss of starving myself again. It's nice knowing there is no scientific support for this type of diet. If there are studies underway, I would love to read them.
Jul 19 4:41 PM
Jackson_Pearce wrote:
This article was very informative. I agree with the majority of comments already posted about the bottled water statement--tap water is just as good as bottle water.
There is, however, a single caveat. If you live in areas that have heavy metal, or some other contamination problem, in the water, bottled water and/or filtered water is a better alternative. Usually you are informed by a letter in the mail from the city, with your utility bill, that your water has a temporary contamination problem. Ordinarily I would blame that on the city I live in, but I have received such letters from three different cities (each 70-90 miles apart) in North Carolina.
Jul 17 1:30 AM
FirefighterBlu3 wrote:
In general I agree nicely with this article save the bottled water statement. Bottled water is often less clean and pure than tap water. Tap water is regulated for health & safety standards, bottled water is rarely regulated. All in all, do some homework and you'll be better for it.
Jul 16 11:20 AM
erios wrote:
The fact that didn't do your homework on detox programs and finding your the thousands of studies that show positive results from detox problem is sad and plain out stupid.
Jul 15 7:34 AM
Chewey_Delt wrote:
The only thing I don't understand is why the article suggests getting a home filtration system or drinking bottled water. It's my understanding that there's really very little difference between tap water and bottled water. Even the bottled water industry doesn't really try to claim that.
Other than that, this is a good, concise article.
Jul 13 10:06 PM