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Why "detoxes" are a load of rubbish
noobletmcnugget
Posts: 518 Member
I read an article on NewScientist dispelling "detoxes" recently. Thought it'd be interesting to share what it said with you guys. 
So, our bodies contain loads of different toxins, including heavy metals, dioxins, PCBs, etc. A lot of them are broken down or excreted within hours, thanks to our digestive systems, livers and kidneys. But a lot of them, especially fat-soluble chemicals (e.g. dioxins) build up in our bodies.
You hear all the time about people “detoxing”, which usually involves only drinking fluids and consuming little/no solid food. This makes virtually no difference to the levels of toxins in your bodies that have built up over the years. It’d actually take 6-10 years of ZERO EXPOSURE (which is impossible anyway) to get rid of just half of them.
In fact, fasting or dieting actually releases fat-soluble chemicals into the blood… a study found that the level of organochlorines and pesticides in the blood increased by 25-50% after people lost a lot of weight quickly, and animal studies have shown that this leads to an increase in tissues like your brain and muscles, where they do more harm than when they’re locked up in fat. Plus, some of these toxins just end up back in storage anyway – they’re not necessarily removed from your body.
Also, these “detoxes” could also potentially be harmful to weight loss effects, since increased levels of some of these toxins in the blood can affect appetite and energy levels, possibly contributing to yo-yo dieting.
But what about the short-lived toxins? Well, short fasts do lower their levels, but they go back to where they were as soon as you start eating again, and it isn’t clear whether temporarily decreasing their levels does you any good anyway.
Thought it was quite interesting!
So, our bodies contain loads of different toxins, including heavy metals, dioxins, PCBs, etc. A lot of them are broken down or excreted within hours, thanks to our digestive systems, livers and kidneys. But a lot of them, especially fat-soluble chemicals (e.g. dioxins) build up in our bodies.
You hear all the time about people “detoxing”, which usually involves only drinking fluids and consuming little/no solid food. This makes virtually no difference to the levels of toxins in your bodies that have built up over the years. It’d actually take 6-10 years of ZERO EXPOSURE (which is impossible anyway) to get rid of just half of them.
In fact, fasting or dieting actually releases fat-soluble chemicals into the blood… a study found that the level of organochlorines and pesticides in the blood increased by 25-50% after people lost a lot of weight quickly, and animal studies have shown that this leads to an increase in tissues like your brain and muscles, where they do more harm than when they’re locked up in fat. Plus, some of these toxins just end up back in storage anyway – they’re not necessarily removed from your body.
Also, these “detoxes” could also potentially be harmful to weight loss effects, since increased levels of some of these toxins in the blood can affect appetite and energy levels, possibly contributing to yo-yo dieting.
But what about the short-lived toxins? Well, short fasts do lower their levels, but they go back to where they were as soon as you start eating again, and it isn’t clear whether temporarily decreasing their levels does you any good anyway.
Thought it was quite interesting!
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Replies
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Do you have a link to the article? Would love to read it.0
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noobletmcnugget wrote: »Also, these “detoxes” could also potentially be harmful to weight loss effects, since increased levels of some of these toxins in the blood can affect appetite and energy levels, possibly contributing to yo-yo dieting.
While I agree with what you are saying, this above is mostly speculation. I've seen no evidence that one day fasts are contributing to yo-yo dieting via magic toxins effect.
Let's not criticise those that buy into the "detox woo" by creating a new "anti-detox woo".0 -
Do you have a link to the article? Would love to read it.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21929310-900-health-myths-our-bodies-can-and-should-be-detoxed/?utm_source=third-party-widget&utm_medium=third-party-widget&utm_term=philips&utm_campaign=philips
You need to subscribe I think to see the whole article though.0 -
noobletmcnugget wrote: »Do you have a link to the article? Would love to read it.
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21929310-900-health-myths-our-bodies-can-and-should-be-detoxed/?utm_source=third-party-widget&utm_medium=third-party-widget&utm_term=philips&utm_campaign=philips
You need to subscribe I think to see the whole article though.
I was able to see the whole article
I'm onboard with "“lifelong detox”, which involves eating as healthily as possible and avoiding chemicals in the home and workplace as much as you can."0 -
Eating healthy is in the perception, and is defined differently by everyone. Unless you have a medical/health condition requiring you to cut out certain foods, it's all just food. As with any health condition, its best to consult your MD and also educate yourself.
Detox is the silliest word invented as to the general population. Detox is appropriate when it comes to drug and alcohol recovery.0 -
EvgeniZyntx wrote: »noobletmcnugget wrote: »Also, these “detoxes” could also potentially be harmful to weight loss effects, since increased levels of some of these toxins in the blood can affect appetite and energy levels, possibly contributing to yo-yo dieting.
While I agree with what you are saying, this above is mostly speculation. I've seen no evidence that one day fasts are contributing to yo-yo dieting via magic toxins effect.
Let's not criticise those that buy into the "detox woo" by creating a new "anti-detox woo".
This too.0 -
Eating healthy is in the perception, and is defined differently by everyone. Unless you have a medical/health condition requiring you to cut out certain foods, it's all just food. As with any health condition, its best to consult your MD and also educate yourself.
Detox is the silliest word invented as to the general population. Detox is appropriate when it comes to drug and alcohol recovery.
Well, activated charcoal, chelation, dialysis and plasmapheresis are valid medical therapies; for example for things like ciguatera poisoning from eating contaminated fish, activated charcoal is very effective. Quite common treatment, too. These are also all valid detoxes.
(sorry for the pedant moment.)0 -
EvgeniZyntx wrote: »Eating healthy is in the perception, and is defined differently by everyone. Unless you have a medical/health condition requiring you to cut out certain foods, it's all just food. As with any health condition, its best to consult your MD and also educate yourself.
Detox is the silliest word invented as to the general population. Detox is appropriate when it comes to drug and alcohol recovery.
Well, activated charcoal, chelation, dialysis and plasmapheresis are valid medical therapies; for example for things like ciguatera poisoning from eating contaminated fish, activated charcoal is very effective. Quite common treatment, too. These are also all valid detoxes.
(sorry for the pedant moment.)
No, it's true. I do not feel well enough versed in such medical condition to mention dialysis and the like.0 -
Eating healthy is in the perception, and is defined differently by everyone. Unless you have a medical/health condition requiring you to cut out certain foods, it's all just food. As with any health condition, its best to consult your MD and also educate yourself.
Detox is the silliest word invented as to the general population. Detox is appropriate when it comes to drug and alcohol recovery.
YOU, I like!0
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