Posted by Nikoletta Ventseslavova

Save: time, health and energy. Learn why it isn’t necessary to torture yourself with fasting.

Gain: the right decision for fit and healthy body

It is a wide spread myth that our bodies can become overloaded with toxins from the food we consume and also from the environment we are surrounded by.  Everyone knows that anything toxic is bad for us and we follow the celebrities going on drug detox diets. [editor's note: speak for yourselves ladies ].

The supporters of detox theories claim that this type of nutrition improves sluggishness, headaches, spots, allergies, excess weight and so on. They believe that toxins don’t leave our bodies properly during the elimination of waste and hang around in our lymph and gastrointestinal systems, causing problems. Although detox theories don’t have any scientific proof, their advocates suggest cutting certain substances from our diet for a specific period in order to help our organs to cleanse from the inside and improve health, energy, resistance to disease, mental state, digestion and weight loss. The methods of “detoxification” include:

*Water fasting and juice fasting
* Increased consumption of fish
* Food combining
* Calorie restriction
* Herbal detox (if one considers herbs a food and not a form of drug)
* Master Cleanse (also known as the lemonade diet)

Think twice, act wisely. Detox may be dangerous .

Recently those restrictions from foods and substances have left behind the dirty “diet” word and instead are now “lifestyle”. Appearances on the media such as Morgan Spurlock’s documentary film “Super- size Me” and “Ultimate Lifetime Diet” by Gary Null advocating veganism approbate all those purging methods without telling us the risks behind their “savory façade”. Let’s go through the facts and evidence.

Some critics cite the high mercury content in some fish as a risk factor. Additionally, sudden changes in diet have been linked to fainting and other medical issues. Detox diets aren’t the safest form of weight loss if they are based on starvation (like water fasting or the Master Cleanse). If prolonged, they may cause in nutrient deficiencies. The lack of proteins in most “detox” diets (by omitting animal products and legumes) often results in diminished muscle mass. With less lean muscle tissue, the body’s metabolic needs decrease, which impedes weight loss efforts. Moreover, when there is a lack of fat, our organs start a “fight” for energy and the body starts consuming from the organs, a for of mutual destruction.

What the experts say
Experts criticize those detoxing methods, affirming that human liver, kidneys, lungs and skin  are perfectly equipped to eliminate waste. Prof. Alan Boobis says:
“The body’s own detoxification systems are remarkably sophisticated and versatile. They have to be, as the natural environment that we evolved in is hostile. It is remarkable that people are prepared to risk seriously disrupting these systems with unproven ‘detox’ diets, which could well do more harm than good.”

Recently, the BBC published  interesting material on the topic. According to experts from the University of South California “Detox diets do no more than the body’s own natural system to get rid of toxins”. Roger Clemens, professor of molecular pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Southern California nad Dr. Peter Pressman, an endocrinologist explain why people consider that detoxing works: “ “There are thousands of testimonials that describe experience of less bloating (actually the result of eating less food), clearer skin (improved hydration) and decreased headaches (reduced alcohol and caffeine).”

They say that the benefits patients feel are not due to exorcising toxins, but to the change from unhealthy to healthy diet which proves only the effectiveness of a detox diet over an average diet. Dr. Clemens and Dr. Pressman are of the same opinion as Prof. Boobis: “Healthy adults, even overweight adults, have been endowed with extraordinary systems for the elimination of waste and regulation of body chemistry.Our lungs, kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract and immune system are effective in removing or neutralising toxic substances within hours of consumption.”

A BBC study reveals the truth:

“ We put the diet to the test, finding out if following a strict detox diet plan can really reduce the body’s toxic load and enhance the efficiency of our body’s innate systems.”

“We took ten party animals to a country cottage retreat for ten days to see if a detox diet could recharge their internal batteries. The group was split into two and half the girls were put on a balanced diet, including red meat, alcohol, coffee and tea, pasta, bread, chocolate and crisps (in moderation), with the remainder following a strict vice-free diet.”

“Can a short, sharp shock really change the levels of toxicity in your body in just a week?”

“After testing the kidney and liver functions and measuring the antioxidant and aluminium levels in their blood we found there were no differences between the groups. Which just goes to show, in a binge and purge culture relying on a detox isn’t the solution. Your body has its own way of regulating toxins and a week of suffering won’t change that so you are better off sticking to a balanced diet all the time.”

The human body is designed to purify itself. Our liver and kidneys will do the job they’re supposed to do if we eat a healthy diet that includes fibre, fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water. To change our lifestyle and food consumption for the better, or to get rid of  excess body weight, the best solution is to practice balanced and healthy eating and add extra exercise to our daily routine.

If you enjoyed this article you may also be interested in reading about why fad diets do not work