Detox Diets: Worth It or Useless?

Lose weight fast and cleanse your body of harmful toxins! These are just a few claims given for what you can expect if you go on a detox diet. You’ve probably seen them on TV, read about them on the internet, or heard athletes and celebrities boasting about the wondrous effects of these diets. It is believed that detox diets remove toxins from the body that accumulate from the environment, foods we eat, and water we drink, prevent and cure diseases, and give people more energy. By taking certain pills, powders, herbs, drinks, laxatives, supplements, or fasting and only eating certain foods, these results can be achieved. So, what’s the deal with these diets? Do they perform as advertised? Can one expect to achieve optimum health through a detox diet? The answer is simple…NO!

Currently, there is no scientific proof that these diets help rid the body of toxins faster or that the elimination of toxins will make you healthier. Some of these detox diets may actually have a negative effect on your health. The side effects of taking certain pills, powders, supplements, or laxatives can be diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and mineral imbalances, or problems with the digestive system. Other side effects can include fatigue, irritability, weight loss, and excessive hunger. Fasting or eliminating certain foods can cause weight loss but in the form of water and possibly muscle. If a detox diet is continued for a long period of time, it may result in nutrient deficiencies and can slow down a person’s metabolism, making it harder to keep weight off or lose it later.

These claims may be too good to be true and in reality they actually are. So save yourself time and money and just stay away from these so-called “magical” detox diets. They are unproven and can be a lot more harmful then beneficial. The body is designed to cleanse and detoxify itself without the help any special diet. Our kidneys, liver, and intestines are naturally built to rid our bodies of toxins and excess waste. So let nature take its course and let your body cleanse itself naturally by eating a clean, whole foods diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, lean protein and plenty of water!