The Debate Over Detox “Cleansing” Diets

We often hear celebrities promoting detox diets as a method to lose weight and cleanse the body of toxins. There has been much debate over whether these cleanses are effective and safe. It is important to understand that there are numerous types of detox diets and various lengths of time a person stays on a program. These factors, of course, impact the effectiveness and safety of any given diet.

Effectiveness

Some people choose these diets as a means to lose weight. Many of the more intense detox programs require you to eat very little solid food. The Master Cleanse, for example, is strictly a liquid diet. Obviously, this would induce weight loss. Much of the dropped weight however, is simply water weight and quickly returns when the individual begins eating solid food again.

In regard to removing toxins from the body, it is essential to understand that the human body already has systems in place to remove toxins. We do not actually need help to remove toxins and research shows no significant benefit from detox programs.

Safety

Any cleanse that requires you to deprive your body of fundamental nutrients is generally considered unsafe. Many people report feeling tired, mentally drained, achy, and irritable during these periods of deprivation. Some of the milder detox programs are safer and likely more effective. The idea behind these cleanses is to simply improve the body's natural systems for detoxification. In these cleanses, you are not required to starve yourself. You simply eat extremely healthy and take supplements to enhance your body’s ability to remove toxins.

The popularity of detox diets is likely due to the fear of environmental poisons like pesticides and air pollution. The fact remains; our bodies already effectively remove these substances. There seems to be little scientific evidence that cleanses are beneficial, and they may, in fact, be dangerous. Talk to your doctor before starting a cleanse to help you decide if it is right for you.