It is about that time of year where everyone is planning their New Years resolution. The most common resolutions are based around your body. Whether it be the intent to lose weight, become a healthier eater or even to build muscle through fitness. Perfect timing, right? The holidays have pulled you away from eating what you should be and you picked up a few unwanted pounds. With it being Black Friday, everyone has sales going on. Fitness programs, personal trainers, diet programs, including DETOX are all trying to cash in on Black Friday and your desire to better health!
BUT, before you buy in on a detox plan to help you cleanse your system of those pesky problematic “toxins” in your body.. please read on.
First, lets talk about what DETOXING is about. As the Mayo Clinic explains, detoxing is “typically a period of fasting followed by a strict diet of raw vegetables, fruit and fruit juices, and water. In addition, some detox diets advocate using herbs and other supplements along with colon cleansing (enemas) to empty the intestines.”
Detox programs will often tell you about the weight loss associated to their program due to the elimination of said toxins (which they will never identify) when in fact the weight loss comes from a significant reduction in caloric intake. When you come off the program, you will likely see the weight return as you go back to your normal daily caloric intake
While some report more energy and feeling more focused, there is little evidence supporting the detoxification of your body. In fact, Science-Based Medicine reports there is ZERO evidence that Detox programs work. The Mayo Clinic goes on to say the real and pretty much only benefit of a detox diet is the avoidance of highly processed food that have “solid fats” and “added sugars”. That sounds like a better way to go right? Except that detox plans severely limit your protein intake and fasting causes fatigue. Mayo Clinic states that colon cleansing which is often recommended can cause cramping, bloating, nausea and vomiting as well as dehydration.
Detoxing programs are a fad backed so ZERO medical research. Frank Sacks, MD, Harvard School of Public Health stats the idea that your body needs help getting rid of toxins has "no basis in human biology.” Just let your kidneys and liver do this. Detox programs are not long term solutions what so ever. Mayo Clinic recommends for best results, eat a healthy diet which includes fruits vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.
Simply put, Detoxing programs are not been proven to do anything other than detox your pocket book of money and present unfavorable side effects. These programs are tapping your desires and taking your money. If someone is bound and determined to believe their products work, ask them to provide the medical/scientific report validating it. Remember, there used to be reports that stated that smoking wasn't hazardous to your health. Know the source.
Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/detox-diets/faq-20058040
http://www.webmd.com/diet/detox-diets
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-detox-scam-how-to-spot-it-and-how-to-avoid-