Safety of Detox Diets
Posted on 14. Aug, 2010 by juice gal in total body detox
Quick and easy detox diets including pills or extreme methods are abundant on the internet. It may be hard to sort through all the misinformation in order to find a healthy, natural way to help the body eliminate toxins. Firstly, the body detoxifies itself everyday. But many natural health proponents believe that our bodies are often overloaded with the toxins to efficiently remove all of them. If this is true, then one of the first steps should be to reduce the risk of toxins entering the body by consuming unprocessed foods. However, many still feel the need to help the process along, and in fact, many herbalists and naturopathic doctors have been assisting individuals in the process for decades, even centuries.
Detox diets vary. The basic premise behind them is to temporarily abstain from certain foods believed to contain “toxins,” such as meat, sugar, certain grains, dairy products and caffeine. Typically a detox diet begins with a diet of raw vegetables and fruits, freshly prepared juices, and water. In addition, some detoxification diets advocate using herbal and colon cleansing products to help the functions of the liver and colon. The duration of such programs often ranges between 7 to 10 days, These regimes are not intended for long term use as they often involve a great deal of calorie restriction.
Research, planning, and discussing with a qualified health professional is recommended. Extreme diets, such as the master cleanse, or diets which involve “miracle” pills to shed pounds or burn toxins are not recommended here. Such diets can cause moderate to severe side effects that may or may not be immediately apparent. Early side effects of a detox diet include headaches. Though this may be a reaction to removal of caffeine, it should be watched closely. Prolonged fasting or severe calorie restriction can result in anemia, low blood sugar and irregular heartbeats.
After a detox diet involving juice or other methods, it is wise to return to a healthy, natural diet based on whole grains, fruits/vegetables, lean proteins and unsaturated fats. This will help to maintain the benefits experienced while detoxing.
