The Truth About Detoxification Diets: Do They Offer Any Health Benefits?

The Truth About Detoxification Diets: Do They Offer Any Health Benefits?

Ask Dr. Steve-

Dr. Steve,  I have been reading a lot of articles on “Detox” diets. Do they work?
Lori R.  San Diego, CA

Lori,
Detoxification diets are dietary plans regarded as having detoxifying effects. Scientists, dietitians, and doctors, while generally judging 'detoxification diets' harmless (unless nutritional deficiency results), often dispute their value and need due to lack of supporting factual evidence.

Some alternative medicine practitioners believe that body cleansing has value, along with many other alternative medical approaches. Nonetheless, mainstream medicine continues to view it as unscientific and anachronistic.

Various programs of body cleansing are currently employed, ranging from physical treatments (e.g. colon cleansing), to dietary restrictions (e.g. food avoidance) or dietary supplements. Some variants involve the use of herbs and supplements that purportedly speed or increase the effectiveness of the process of cleansing.

Several naturopathic and homeopathic preparations are also promoted for cleansing; such products are often marketed as targeting specific organs, such as fiber for the colon or juices for the kidneys.

Two opposing schools of thought exist but I suggest a middle ground approach.

The following are methods to modify your diet in a positive manner:
•    Restrict or eliminate foods containing caffeine or alcohol
•    Reduce the consumption of processed foods (including bread), salt, sugar, wheat, red meat, pork, fried and deep fried food, yellow cheese, cream, butter and margarine, shortening, etc.
•    Focus more on eating more raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, raw nuts and seeds, fish, vegetable oils, herbs and herbal teas
•    Drink more pure water

These diet modifications can often produce beneficial effects in and of themselves, and it is accordingly difficult to separate these effects from those caused by the more controversial detoxification recommendations.

Highly restrictive detoxification diets such as water fasting are not the safest form of weight loss. These diets, if done improperly or for too long, may result in nutrient deficiencies. 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. Early side effects of fasting can include headaches. Prolonged fasting or severe calorie restriction can result in anemia, low blood sugar and irregular heartbeat.

The best diet is one based on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean sources of protein and unsaturated fats. Add regular exercise and stress reduction techniques, and you have a solid foundation for good health.

Before going on a fast or detoxification diet, talk to your doctor.

There are three critical building blocks that must be stacked together to achieve weight loss: eating healthier and smaller portions (consuming fewer calories), increasing expenditure of energy through simple exercise (using up more calories) and having the mind set (mental discipline) to change your habits into a positive life program of health and vitality.