Detox diet

Impressive name isn't it? It comes with an even more fascinating package of convincing reports and literature. There are famous celebrities with bodies anybody could envy, have it because of their faith in detox diets! Some of the key reasoning given are:

It detoxifies all the toxins that are not eliminated from our bodies because of stress, eating unhealthy stuff and also because of lifestyle.

The toxins accumulated in our bodies can cause all sorts of problems like obesity, fats in wrong places, diabetes, headache, anxiety, skin problems, pimples, weakness, etc... all anyone would like to get rid of. Detox diet is the solution to all this and also making your life healthier, more focused, improves brain performance, and makes you brighter and more alive.

Detox diets are catered with an attractive schedule of lifestyle that makes life more efficient and more disciplined. Often right kinds of diet supplements are given to make you stronger too.

The basic idea underlying detox diets is to temporarily give up certain kinds of foods that is thought to contain toxins. The diet prescribed by different system of detoxification is though different, most of them involve a kind of fasting for a while and then slow introduction of specific kinds of foods into your diet. A whole way of flushing your system of all the "harmful products".

There are a lot of success stories and experiences of people who have benefited from such detox diets quoted. Also, a lot of scientific explanations are given for the claim detox diets make. Let us see what knowledge of biological science and health has to suggest:

We have a very well developed detox system in our body. The liver and the kidney does all this job if you keep yourself healthy and you eat nutritious diet. Nothing that is toxic remains in the body. If the body is not well, it requires maximum care, good nutrition, and rest.

If you have a diet poor in nutrition for a prolonged period, it will surely reduce some of your body weight. This reduction in body weight is unfortunately due to loss of body water and some muscles! To make the situation worse, it slows down your metabolism (as there is not much to digest) making it difficult to burn your fat or loose weight later.

All the kinds of food elements are required for healthy growth and metabolism including some fat. If the body is deprived of any of these components for a prolonged period, the consequences can be disastrous.

Some detox diet systems involve eating raw food. Why do we cook food if it reduces all the essential and healthy stuff in it? Well, because it is to prevent infections that can occur from eating raw food whether or not it is well stored. It is always suggested that people should eat well cooked food, and to eat it when it is still hot to prevent gastric problems. Feelings and claims of few people cannot nullify the centuries of experience with cooked and well balanced diet.

Note:

• IT MUST BE KEPT IN MIND THAT THERE IS NO SCIENTIFIC PROOF ON THE EFFICACY OF DETOX DIETS OR THAT THEY HELP OR SPEED UP THE ELIMINATION OF TOXINS FROM THE BODY.
• After all this if you are still convinced about the whole idea of detox diet, keep some things in mind:
• It is a short-term program. Do not attempt to prolong it thinking it will improve its effects even more.
• Do not resort to such programs if you are not well, suffering from diabetes, blood pressure problems, or are under any medication.
• During growing teenage years, you need a lot of nutrition and healthy diet. Please do not try to experiment with your health. You will have ample time to do all this after your growth stabilizes.
• If you are on a detox diet, let your doctor know and let him monitor your health during the whole course. It is better to be safe than sorry.
• To be honest, do what you like, but do not play with your health. It may not be worth it.
• Detox diet and its effects are debated all over the world. This article is purely educational. Its accuracy or content can be debated as well.

Links:

Here are some of the links you would like to refer. All these articles are from reliable resources:

• Detox diets: Health regimen or latest fad? By stephanie Smith, CNN.
• Are detox diet safe? Nemours Foundation.
• The dirt on detox. By Dr. Wynnie Chan, ivillage.co.uk

Compiled by: Indrajit Sinha; Last updated: 19.11.07© Medhospital Foundation

There is no generalization possible in medicine. The pages included in this website are purely educational and have been presented for information purpose only. Each section has been prepared with utmost care but should not be used as a substitute for your own physician's advice and care. Please see conditions for use.