More and more people, especially the overstressed, time-strapped, and nutrition-starved, are turning to detoxification to improve their diets and cleanse their systems. But what is detoxing really all about?
What is detoxing?
Detox refers to a process wherein the body gets rid of toxic substances through short-term dietary interventions. These toxins typically include air and water pollutants and processed food chemicals.
Detoxing is said to provide your body health benefits by giving a nutritional break so that it can become a better waste dumper and nutrient absorber. It usually lasts about a week and involves a period of fasting, followed by a strict diet consisting of foods high in essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. A typical detox diet includes fruit, vegetables, and plenty of water or clear fruit juices. Sometimes it also incorporates herbs and supplements.
How should I detox?
There are many ways to do a detox, but it usually involves fasting, eating certain foods, and limiting harmful ingredients. Detoxing usually has at least one of the following components:
- Fasting for a short period (e.g., 1 to 3 days)
- Eliminating foods high in heavy metals, contaminants, and allergens
- Drinking plenty of water and fresh fruit or vegetable juices
- Taking dietary supplements or other commercial products
- Cleansing the colon with laxatives or enemas
- Exercising regularly
- Completely eliminating alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, and refined sugar from your diet
What are the overall health benefits?
Detoxing is often thought to help enhance general physical and mental wellbeing.
However, scientific evidence on positive effects of detox diets are very limited, and the studies that exist today have been of low quality – with a small number of participants, study design flaws, and a lack of peer review.
Although you may lose some weight during the detox process, according to research findings, people who lose weight through detoxing usually regain it quickly once they go off the detox.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Detoxing-What-You-Need-to-Know
News items about the health effects of many popular foods inspire us to think in new ways about what we eat, what we shouldn't eat, and what it's doing to our body. If you've been trying to put down the bag of Doritos, large Frappuccino, or box of Oreos and commit to eating better, you probably have considered detoxing.
Detoxing is popular, but it may not be for everyone. Here we discuss detox diets and whether they're right for you.
What is a detox diet?
Detoxing is said to boost your body's nutritional intake and shed toxins such as processed food chemicals and environmental pollutants. This process typically involves eating specific foods, avoiding toxic substances, drinking plenty of water and clear fluids, and getting enough rest. You can also include light-to-moderate exercises in your routine.
Who shouldn't detox?
You should avoid detoxing, or talk to your doctor or dietitian first, if you:
- are under 18 or over 65
- are pregnant or lactating
- have a gastrointestinal disorder such as Crohn's disease or gastritis
- have diabetes
- have an eating disorder
- are training for an endurance event
- have any other serious health condition not listed here
Who should detox?
If you want to make some positive changes in your diet, detoxing may serve as your springboard to a more permanent healthy diet. After completing your detox, you might find it easier to incorporate some or all healthy elements of your detox diet into your regular diet. However, these positive changes can be done without a potentially dangerous detox. You should always weigh the benefits and risks when it comes to making decisions about your health.
The takeaway
There isn't any convincing medical evidence that self-administered detox diets actually remove toxic substances from your body or improve your health. A short-term detox will not magically solve all your health issues. In general, eating better is your body's ticket to improving your energy, preventing long-term health problems, and achieving a general sense of wellness.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Detoxing-What-You-Need-to-Know
