Detox diets

From SkepticWiki

1 Definition
2 Discussion
3 Problems with Detox Diets
4 References
- 4.1 Skeptical References
- 4.2 Pro-Detox Sites

[edit] Definition

Detox Diets are a label used to describe "detoxification" schemes that supposedly rid the body of excess toxins that are supposedly causing harm..

Several techniques are recommended, including high-fiber diets which supposedly cleanse the colon (see Colonic Irrigation for more information on toxins and the colon), vitamins that supposedly regenerate the liver, the elimination of meat, replacing sodas with water, eliminating dairy products, "empty calories" such as sugar, and junk foods, and other measures.

Many Detox Diets focus on the use of herbs, and claim that special herbs detoxify various organs. Parsley and liverwort are said to detox the liver, juniper and ginger the kidneys, senega and ephedra the lungs, and many others. They usually recommend a certain amount of the herb with a glass of water.

Other Detox Diets focus on fasting. By eliminating everything except water and vegetable juices from the diet, proponents claim that the body gets an abundance of nutrients while preserving digestive enzymes.

[edit] Discussion

Toxins, such as those gained from excessive alcohol consumption or cigarette smoking, can cause great harm to the body and lead to many fatal illnesses, including cancer. So there is a great desire for people to want to avoid these health problems by eliminating toxins from their bodies. However, there is no evidence that these special Detox Diets actually work to rid the body of toxins beyond two simple steps:

Stop smoking, drinking, or otherwise consuming the source of the toxins
Drink plenty of water to allow the body to rid itself of the toxins naturally

The human liver, kidney, lungs, and skin are all capable of expelling toxins and even perform quite well in an unhealthy person's body. Although the body does use water for this purpose, it generally doesn't need anything else for this to work.

When these Detox Diets work at all, they work simply by using these two steps. They recommend eliminating alcoholic beverages, smoking cigarettes, etc. Actually, the total elimination of these is unnecessary, only that they be ingested in moderate enough amounts so that the body's natural detoxification processes are not overwhelmed.

Detox Diets also usually recommend drinking a lot of water and juice. In fact, some involve fasting, eating nothing and instead only drinking the juice concoctions. When a Detox Diet tells you that mixing a particular herb in water will cause your body to detoxify, it is the water, not the herb, that is helping with the detoxification. Same with fruit or vegetable juice: since the juice is mostly water, it helps with detoxification, but the nutrients in the juice play no part.

For example, a particular Detox Diet might claim to, among other things, reduce headaches. It will propose the elimination of alcohol and caffeine, and the ingestion of some herbs, or vegetable juices, etc. This diet might actually result in fewer headaches, but this is due to the elimination of the toxins in the alcohol and caffeine and are not related to whatever herbs or other items might be included in the diet.

Another common example is skin rejuvenation. This might be a diet where liquids are stressed, or even special gloves or socks worn over the hands and feet. The skin is in fact rejuvenated, but it's due to either the increased intake of water naturally moisturizing the skin or moisturizers in the lotions in the special gloves. It has nothing to do with the elimination of toxins.

[edit] Problems with Detox Diets

The biggest problem with the Detox Diets is that they are basically cons. People spend money for books to get the proper diet, or even for special juices, herbs, etc., when really all they need to do is the two steps listed above, which is an effective no-cost solution.

But some of them can be downright dangerous. In particular, the fasting diets have a host of problems that can occur depending on the length of the fasting or the frequency of the dieting. These problems include depression, fatigue, sinus problems, muscle loss, skin problems, gall bladder disease, and many others.

Many Detox Diets recommend replacing meat products with fruits and vegetables; the idea is that the hormones and other chemicals in meat should be eliminated from the body. However, many fruits and vegetables have more natural toxins than those found in meat, fish, and milk. Many Detox Diets also involve a lot of herbs; many herbs actually contain chemicals considered to be drugs, with the same problems and side effects as regular pharmaceuticals.

Many Detox Diets are meant to be permanent eating habits. These can have dangers as they usually result in nutrient deficiencies, most commonly protein. Protein-deficient diets can reduce muscle mass and therefore metabolism, hindering weight loss efforts. Deficiencies in other nutrients can cause a host of other health problems.

People going on Detox Diets may actually become healthier as a result, but this is due more to the fact that they have just stopped eating habits, or other habits such as drinking and smoking, that are even more dangerous than the Detox Diet. The best advice is to move to a well-balanced diet, and to consult a nutritionist if necessary.