One of the things common among dieters is the notion that a juice detox is going to provide weight loss that will make a difference. While a detox diet may be a good way to 'cleanse' the body, it is by no means a healthy way to live, or to expect any amount of weight loss - at least none that is permanent.
Many college students trying to improve their overall health have turned to controversial detoxification programs. Detox regimens claiming to help participants purge toxins, lose weight and gain energy are wildly popular, gaining support from celebrity testimonials and a flawed understanding of human metabolism.
The basic premise of detoxification is that toxins such as pollutants, pesticides, sugar, medicines and alcohols accumulate in the body’s digestive system, sapping energy and causing a variety of negative health effects. Consequently, the body needs to be periodically “cleansed,” often through laxatives and liquid diets. Unfortunately, the dramatic claims of many popular detox diets are not scientifically supported.
Detox diets range from the fairly minimal fruit-and-vegetable fast to extreme versions, such as the “Master Cleanse.” Popularized by Beyonce Knowles, the “Master Cleanse” is a glorified fast in which participants drink a mixture of water, lemon juice, pure maple syrup and cayenne pepper for 10 days.
The human body is adept at cleansing itself if a healthy diet is followed (that's a BIG if, because it normally isn't!). As food enters the body, it goes directly to the stomach where it is broken down by stomach acid. The digested food then passes to the small intestine where nutrients are absorbed and next to the large intestine where solid wastes are eliminated. Toxins absorbed into the bloodstream are filtered through the kidneys and liver and finally eliminated through urine. Because of the body’s internal mechanisms to clean out toxins, many medical experts question the need for a “cleanse.”
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"The body’s own detoxification systems are remarkably sophisticated and versatile. 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,” states Professor Alan Boobis, a toxicologist at Imperial College London.
“Our lungs, kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and immune system are effective in removing or neutralizing toxic substances within hours of consumption,” according to Clemens and Pressman.
Since the body is capable of removing toxins on its own, the supposed benefits of detox diets such as weight loss and increased energy may in fact be due to other causes.
One reason for these dramatic results is that participants refrain from sugar, fatty foods, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and other substances while on the diet, all of which can negatively affect the body.
Rather than going on potentially dangerous detox diets, focus on eating a balanced and healthy diet and avoiding the everyday toxins that processed foods and soft drinks alone will bring, which are responsible for the majority of them. If you are interested in a meal plan to assist with your weight loss, Medifast provides a diet that makes it easy to plan the foods and meals you will eat. Click here - Medifast - to try the Medifast diet meal plan to help you get started losing weight.
The Health & Wellness Institute, DC PC