Detox diet

A detox diet is a dietary regimen involving a change in consumption habits in an attempt to detoxify the body, by removal of toxins or other contaminants. Proponents claim it improves health, energy, resistance to disease, mental state, digestion, as well as aiding in weight loss. Many scientists, dietitians, and doctors, however, regard 'detox diets' as less effective than drinking a glass of water, and view 'detox diets' as generally harmless (unless nutritional deficiency results) but a waste of money. [ [http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php/site/project/47 Sense About Science | Detox press release ] ]

"Detox" diets usually suggest that water,cite web
last =BBC Staff
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title =Woman left brain damaged by detox
work = "A woman has been awarded more than £800,000 after she suffered permanent brain damage while on a detox diet."
publisher = BBC News
date = Wednesday, 23 July 2008 09:56 UK
url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7520756.stm
format =web
doi =
accessdate = 2008-07-23 ] or fruits and vegetables compose a majority of one's food intake. Limiting this to unprocessed (and sometimes also non-GM) foods is often advocated. Limiting or eliminating alcohol is also a major factor, and drinking more water is similarly recommended.

Detox diets

A list of methods to modify the diet for the purpose of detoxification includes:
*Eliminating foods that are hard on the metabolism, such as caffeine, alcohol, processed food (including any bread), pre-made or canned food, salt, sugar, wheat, red meat, pork, fried and deep fried food, yellow cheese, cream, butter and margarine, shortening, etc., while focusing on pure foods such as raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, raw nuts and seeds, fish, vegetable oils, herbs and herbal teas, water, etc.
*Raw foodism
*Fasting, including water fasting and juice fasting
*Increased consumption of fish
*Food combining
*Calorie restriction
*Herbal detox
*Master Cleanse, also known as the "lemonade diet", terms coined to refer to the fasting paradigm penned by Stanley Burroughs [The Master Cleanse, Stanley Burroughs, 1976, ISBN 0-9639262-0-9]
* Detox teas used in combination with another detox method. Most detox teas contain ginger, milk thistle, licorice, rooibos, black pepper and dandelion, ingredients known in folk medicine as digestive aids. Other ingredients help to protect the liver, alleviate urinary problems and help treats stomach ulcers. [cite web |url=http://www.qualiteas.com/features/detox_teas.html |title=Body-Cleansing Brews Detox Teas: Legend or Legit?|accessdate=2008-10-07 |last=Hartzell |first=Laurie |date=2007-01-26 |work=Feature Article |publisher=Qualiteas

]

Some proponents of detox diets would emphasize it as a lifestyle, rather than a diet. Literary references include "Ultimate Lifetime Diet" [Gary Null, "Ultimate Lifetime Diet"] by Gary Null advocating veganism as a (lifestyle) method of detoxification. A book written by Natalia Rose has provided detailed information about detox transition levels and their corresponding foods for the functions.cite web
last = Rose
first = Natalia
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = The Raw Food Detox Diet
work =
publisher =
date =
url = http://web3.streamhoster.com/idstaff/pdf/ebookexcerpts/9780060845186.pdf
format =
doi =
accessdate = 5 September
accessyear = 2008 ] . Some detox foods are even able to treating food allergies cite journal
last = Mason
first = Russ
author-link =
last2 =
first2 =
author2-link =
title = A Diet for Treating Food Allergies, Sensitivities, and Detoxification: An Interview with Jeffrey A. Morrison, M.D., C.N.S.
journal = Alternative and Complementary Therapies
volume = 14
issue = 2
pages = 85 - 90
date = 2008
year =
url =
doi = 10.1089/act.2008.14207
id =
accessdate = 5 September
accessyear = 2008]

Criticism

Professor Alan Boobis OBE, Toxicologist, Division of Medicine, Imperial College London states that "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." [ [http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php/site/project/47 Sense About Science | Detox press release ] ]

The potentially high mercury content in some fish is cited to argue against increased fish consumption. If one is considering eating more fish, it is therefore important to choose fish that have low mercury levels.cite web |url=http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/sea-mehg.html |title=US FDA - Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish |format= |work= |accessdate=]

Sudden changes in diet have been linked to fainting and other medical issues. It is therefore of utmost importance to gradually introduce the dietary changes, especially if they are extreme compared to the present diet Fact|date=September 2008. Fasting should never be undertaken without a proper understanding of its procedures, and long-term changes to the diet should always include a balance of the nutrients needed for the sustenance of the human body - carbohydrates, protein, unsaturated fat, vitamins, minerals and water Fact|date=September 2008. The same is advisable for any diet, cleansing or otherwise, in order to maintain optimal health.

Highly restrictive detox diets such as Water fasting or the Master Cleanse are not the safest form of weight loss. These diets, if done improperly or for too long, may result in nutrient deficiencies Fact|date=September 2008. Of particular concern is lack of protein, which may result in wasting of muscle tissue, due to insufficient amino acids for repair. With less lean muscle tissue, the body's metabolic needs decrease, which hampers weight loss efforts unless calories are lessened further in the diet Fact|date=September 2008.

While many people have provided testimonials to their health improvements in following a "detox" diet lifestyle, some of these people may have started the detox diet after coming off an unhealthy diet high in sugar and processed food that may lack nutrients. Any improvements cited from such people would only prove the effectiveness of a detox diet over an average diet, and not that it is the ideal diet that doesn't carry its own unique health risks. It is therefore necessary to investigate whether or not the diets advocated provide sufficient nutritional value for optimal physical functioning.

Some of the changes recommended in certain "detox" lifestyles are ones that agree with mainstream medical advice, such as consuming a diet high in fruits and vegetables. Separating the beneficial effects of such changes from the rest of the recommendations made in a "detoxifying" diet is difficult.

References

*Patrick Holford "The Holford 9-Day Liver Detox" (2008)

Further reading

* "Detox in a Weekend: An Easy-To-Follow Diet and Health Plan: Lose weight and improve your health the fast but safe way with a unique three-day meal planner ... in more than 250 color photographs" by Maggie Pannell (2008), ISBN 1844763528
* "The Two-week Detox Diet: Cleanse and boost your system in just 14 days" by Maggie Pannell (2008), ISBN 1844764648
* "The Detox Diet Cookbook (Healthy Eating Library)" by Nicola Graines (2007), ISBN 0754804739
* "The Great American Detox Diet: Feel Better, Look Better, and Lose Weight by Cleaning Up Your Diet" by Alex Jamieson (2006), ISBN 1594864845
* "The Raw Food Detox Diet: The Five-Step Plan for Vibrant Health and Maximum Weight Loss" by Natalia Rose (2006), ISBN 0060834374
* "The Fast Track Detox Diet: Boost metabolism, get rid of fattening toxins, jump-start weight loss and keep the pounds off for good by Ann Louise Gittleman (2006), ISBN 0767920465
* "The Lemon Detox Diet: Rejuvenation Sensation" by K.A. Beyer (2006), ISBN 0955322901
* "The Rice Diet Solution: The World-Famous Low-Sodium, Good-Carb, Detox Diet for Quick and Lasting Weight Loss" by Rosati and Rosati (2005), ISBN 0743289838
* "The Detox Diet: A How-To & When-To Guide for Cleansing the Body" by Elson M. Haas (2004), ISBN 1587611899

See also

* Food and Nutrition Service
* Food guide pyramid
* Food science
* List of basic nutrition topics
* List of diets
* Nutrition
* Nutrition Transition

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/humanbody/truthaboutfood/young/detox.shtml BBC Health - Do detox diets work?]