Do cleanses work?
missiontofitness
Posts: 4,059 Member
The boards have been inundated lately with "cleanses" and "detoxes", and people asking about whether or not they work. There have also been a lot of posts lately about Dr. Oz being grilled for his 'endorsement' of snake oil weight loss products, supplements, and the like, and how they have no merit.
So, I'd like to have a conversation about people's takes on cleanses and detoxes, and give people who do believe in them an opportunity to provide scholarly studies that prove their effectiveness.
At least from what I've seen, a lot of these cleanses and detoxes are *not* FDA approved. They can easily be put onto shelves in stores like CVS, but they do not have to have ANY merit whatsoever to do so. Especially with the controversy that surrounded ephedra years ago, it shows how easily a dangerous supplement can be made available to consumers, without the consumer knowing the dangers that they are ingesting.
Anyone can also create a "detox" or "cleanse" product, and have absolutely no medical background or merit to do so.
For instance, I just invented the coffee cleanse. It involves going to Dunkin Donuts, getting at least a medium iced coffee, and chugging it before going on a run. The caffeine helps to stimulate you, and "cleanses" all of the bad stuff out of your small intestine once you return from your run. See how easy that was?
A lot of the products I have seen are pretty much overpriced laxatives, or require participants to go on VLCD or restrictive diets, when the itinerary has no medical merit whatsoever. I've also seen very well known "health gurus" plugging away at water fasts for long periods of time (some of which have resulted in deaths) for the sake of cleansing or detoxing.
At the end of the day, every time I see people participating in cleanses/detoxes/fasts, I want to ask:
1. Do you have kidneys?
2. Do you have a liver?
If you answered yes to at least one of these questions, your body is already doing the work for you.
So, I'd like to get other peoples' opinions on the matter. What do you think, and what scholarly evidence do you have to support or debunk the idea of detoxes and cleanses?
So, I'd like to have a conversation about people's takes on cleanses and detoxes, and give people who do believe in them an opportunity to provide scholarly studies that prove their effectiveness.
At least from what I've seen, a lot of these cleanses and detoxes are *not* FDA approved. They can easily be put onto shelves in stores like CVS, but they do not have to have ANY merit whatsoever to do so. Especially with the controversy that surrounded ephedra years ago, it shows how easily a dangerous supplement can be made available to consumers, without the consumer knowing the dangers that they are ingesting.
Anyone can also create a "detox" or "cleanse" product, and have absolutely no medical background or merit to do so.
For instance, I just invented the coffee cleanse. It involves going to Dunkin Donuts, getting at least a medium iced coffee, and chugging it before going on a run. The caffeine helps to stimulate you, and "cleanses" all of the bad stuff out of your small intestine once you return from your run. See how easy that was?
A lot of the products I have seen are pretty much overpriced laxatives, or require participants to go on VLCD or restrictive diets, when the itinerary has no medical merit whatsoever. I've also seen very well known "health gurus" plugging away at water fasts for long periods of time (some of which have resulted in deaths) for the sake of cleansing or detoxing.
At the end of the day, every time I see people participating in cleanses/detoxes/fasts, I want to ask:
1. Do you have kidneys?
2. Do you have a liver?
If you answered yes to at least one of these questions, your body is already doing the work for you.
So, I'd like to get other peoples' opinions on the matter. What do you think, and what scholarly evidence do you have to support or debunk the idea of detoxes and cleanses?
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Replies
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My stance on this as well as some links can be seen here:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1159755-looking-for-a-detox-cleanse0 -
cleanses do a great job of cleaning stray money out of your wallet and leaving you with unnecessary "health" products.0
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The only "cleanse" I recommend is the water cleanse. It's just filling a pitcher with water then adding a whole lemon (sliced of course), half a cucumber (sliced), and 13ish mint leaves. I even add other fruit when I pour it out for flavor, like raspberries or mangoes. It just made me overall feel better and more energized solely because of the antioxidants in the fruits/veggies/herbs.
But I wouldn't trust any of the pills or whatever.0 -
Your body cleanse and detox itself naturally. If people are going to take a detour from the traditional weight loss method (CICO) then they should be supervised by a qualified doctor. Personally, I think it's crap (pun intended).0
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I honestly don't understand why anyone would do a cleanse when they cost money, deprive you of delicious foods, are miserable especially if prolonged, and totally scientifically unnecessary.
While I understand that people want quick and easy fixes, I can't see what's easy or convenient about eating nothing but juiced celery or whatever for 2 weeks. How is this better than just learning portion control?.............0 -
The only "cleanse" I recommend is the water cleanse. It's just filling a pitcher with water then adding a whole lemon (sliced of course), half a cucumber (sliced), and 13ish mint leaves. I even add other fruit when I pour it out for flavor, like raspberries or mangoes. It just made me overall feel better and more energized solely because of the antioxidants in the fruits/veggies/herbs.
But I wouldn't trust any of the pills or whatever.
What happens if you add a whole cucumber and only six mint leaves? Doesn't it work any longer?0 -
I've wondered the same thing and have actually considered trying one. However, I recently chatted with a friend who gave up on a week cleanse after about 2 days. It wrecked his bowels and he couldn't take it any longer. That's been a huge fear of mine (I'd like to leave the house without being afraid of embarrassing myself), so his experience only added to my fear.0
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The only "cleanse" I recommend is the water cleanse. It's just filling a pitcher with water then adding a whole lemon (sliced of course), half a cucumber (sliced), and 13ish mint leaves. I even add other fruit when I pour it out for flavor, like raspberries or mangoes. It just made me overall feel better and more energized solely because of the antioxidants in the fruits/veggies/herbs.
But I wouldn't trust any of the pills or whatever.
What happens if you add a whole cucumber and only six mint leaves? Doesn't it work any longer?
Lol I mean the antioxidants are still there, just more from the cucumber and less from the mint I assume it still works!
However, this "cleanse" isn't meant to be like ONLY that water for a week. You eat your normal stuff like you usually would on a diet 0 -
The only "cleanse" I recommend is the water cleanse. It's just filling a pitcher with water then adding a whole lemon (sliced of course), half a cucumber (sliced), and 13ish mint leaves. I even add other fruit when I pour it out for flavor, like raspberries or mangoes. It just made me overall feel better and more energized solely because of the antioxidants in the fruits/veggies/herbs.
But I wouldn't trust any of the pills or whatever.
What happens if you add a whole cucumber and only six mint leaves? Doesn't it work any longer?
Lol I mean the antioxidants are still there, just more from the cucumber and less from the mint I assume it still works!
However, this "cleanse" isn't meant to be like ONLY that water for a week. You eat your normal stuff like you usually would on a diet
I was going to ask if all you drink was water; thanks for clarifying!0 -
The only "cleanse" I recommend is the water cleanse. It's just filling a pitcher with water then adding a whole lemon (sliced of course), half a cucumber (sliced), and 13ish mint leaves. I even add other fruit when I pour it out for flavor, like raspberries or mangoes. It just made me overall feel better and more energized solely because of the antioxidants in the fruits/veggies/herbs.
But I wouldn't trust any of the pills or whatever.
What happens if you add a whole cucumber and only six mint leaves? Doesn't it work any longer?
Lol I mean the antioxidants are still there, just more from the cucumber and less from the mint I assume it still works!
However, this "cleanse" isn't meant to be like ONLY that water for a week. You eat your normal stuff like you usually would on a diet
LOL Actually, that does seem rather tasty and a good break from plain water. I might try it as a (hopefully) refreshing summer beverage. (Thanks for being a good sport!)0 -
My stance on this as well as some links can be seen here:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1159755-looking-for-a-detox-cleanse
Really good read, thanks for this.0 -
I don't think cleanses work. Your body cleanses itself, just make sure you're getting plenty of water and nutrients and you should be fine.0
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water water water and eating healthier and CICO are pretty much all you need (unless medical issues are part of things and then you need to be working with your doctor)0 -
I do a 7 day body cleanse every other month or so (Arbonne). You eat while you are on it, you just add the cleanse to 32 oz of water. It's gentle - no extra trips to the bathroom. I love it because about day 4 or 5, my skin starts to look really good, with a nice glow to it.0
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I'm thinking a nice cleanse of our environment and foods would be the way to go.
Also, a spam cleanse for MFP.0 -
Working kidneys and liver do their cleansing jobs just fine. And they're free!0
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I do a 7 day body cleanse every other month or so (Arbonne). You eat while you are on it, you just add the cleanse to 32 oz of water. It's gentle - no extra trips to the bathroom. I love it because about day 4 or 5, my skin starts to look really good, with a nice glow to it.
The Chernobyl Cleanse?0 -
I do a 7 day body cleanse every other month or so (Arbonne). You eat while you are on it, you just add the cleanse to 32 oz of water. It's gentle - no extra trips to the bathroom. I love it because about day 4 or 5, my skin starts to look really good, with a nice glow to it.
Do you have any studies that support that this cleanse works, other than how you feel on it?0 -
TL;DR
To answer the question in the subject: No, they don't.0 -
Sweat cleanse, also...0
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My favorite cleanse always does the trick.....
Bud light draft at night and black coffee the next morning.
All clean by noon.0 -
CICO are pretty much all you need (unless medical issues are part of things and then you need to be working with your doctor)
Fixed0 -
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I honestly don't understand why anyone would do a cleanse when they cost money, deprive you of delicious foods, are miserable especially if prolonged, and totally scientifically unnecessary.
While I understand that people want quick and easy fixes, I can't see what's easy or convenient about eating nothing but juiced celery or whatever for 2 weeks. How is this better than just learning portion control?.............
I think it's because a lot people want something quick -- they want to drop 5 lbs so they can fit into a slinky dress for a party or something, or they think a "kick start" will get them on the path to weight loss. I've never done a "cleanse" but in my foolish youth I used to go on starvation diets that lasted a day or two for just that reason. The summer I was 17 I had an "apple day" once a week, where I'd eat an apple for bfast, an apple for lunch, and an apple for dinner. Stupid, I know, but I felt "skinny" doing it and that was all that mattered.0 -
Cleanse - "rid (a person, place, or thing) of something seen as unpleasant, unwanted, or defiling."
I am a person, place, or thing.
I see my poopies as unpleasent, unwanted, or defiling.
I do a "cleanse" and poop exits my body in a timely maner, sometimes, in a super fast manner.
So in short, heck yeah, cleanses totally work!
The great thing is you can call anything you want a cleanse. Water, chocolate, coffee, pills, a normal diet, a normal way of life, your everyday routine. And if it works for you, you don't need any "proof", 'scientific evidence" or "cited studies" because it worked for you, and that's all you should care about. Yet somehow people always demand "proof"....
"cleanse" is a dirty word on MFP because most people assume it means some over priced pill of sorts that you buy at a drug store and pop hoping to miraculously loose weight. But thats not the definition of cleanse. if i do something and it makes me poop, I consider that cleansing. This can be through food, drink, exersice, every day living and every day body functions doing their thing.... So yes, yes, cleanses work.
In reality - we all know what "cleanses" are marketed as. Magic pills! Yaaaaaaaay magic pills magic pills magic pills! If there was a magic pill out there that worked, I would be the skinniest, healthiest person i know, because I am so lazy I would literally spend any amount of moeny to make this healthy life style thing easier - unfortunetly, they dont exist (whhhhyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
UHG. BTW have you seen that thing you put your feet in and its supposed to pull all the toxins out of your body??? WTF IS THAT???? And every time someone tells me Dr. Oz said something all i can think of is that insurance commercial where that girl sais shes dating a French Model she met on the internet, and since it was on the internet it must be true, and his this big wonky looking goof.
Side note. The sugar free gummy bear cleanse DOES work, and there's plenty of your proof out there.0 -
I do a 7 day body cleanse every other month or so (Arbonne). You eat while you are on it, you just add the cleanse to 32 oz of water. It's gentle - no extra trips to the bathroom. I love it because about day 4 or 5, my skin starts to look really good, with a nice glow to it.
I have a feeling it's the extra water, not the "cleanse" that's added that is helping your skin.
I upped my water intake from 8 cups a day to 12 cups (minimum), and my skin has never been better. In fact, I used to have permanent "worry" wrinkles across my forehead, and they're all but gone now, thanks to good ol' agua, straight from the tap or a filter pitcher.
Just drink an extra 32-64oz of plain water (or the fruit/veggie infused as suggested above, that sounds delicious, too) every day. You're welcome, MFP members!:flowerforyou:0 -
I do a 7 day body cleanse every other month or so (Arbonne). You eat while you are on it, you just add the cleanse to 32 oz of water. It's gentle - no extra trips to the bathroom. I love it because about day 4 or 5, my skin starts to look really good, with a nice glow to it.
I have a feeling it's the extra water, not the "cleanse" that's added that is helping your skin.
I upped my water intake from 8 cups a day to 12 cups (minimum), and my skin has never been better. In fact, I used to have permanent "worry" wrinkles across my forehead, and they're all but gone now, thanks to good ol' agua, straight from the tap or a filter pitcher.
Just drink an extra 32-64oz of plain water (or the fruit/veggie infused as suggested above, that sounds delicious, too) every day. You're welcome, MFP members!:flowerforyou:
Agreed. When I'm hydrated, I always feel less puffy in my face, and I feel much better overall, since I'm hydrated.
And yes...that water sounds awesome!0 -
This cleansing water... How many antioxidants leave the mint leaves and cucumber? How many are needed to have a benefit?0
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UHG. BTW have you seen that thing you put your feet in and its supposed to pull all the toxins out of your body??? WTF IS THAT???? And every time someone tells me Dr. Oz said something all i can think of is that insurance commercial where that girl sais shes dating a French Model she met on the internet, and since it was on the internet it must be true, and his this big wonky looking goof.
Side note. The sugar free gummy bear cleanse DOES work, and there's plenty of your proof out there.
I saw someone doing the foot thing at the state fair last year. Ewww. I didn't want to engage the guy in conversation by asking the age old question ("What toxins would this rid me of that my liver & kidneys won't?") and how it worked for fear I'd get frustrated and ruin my day at the fair.
The sugar-free gummy bear reviews are hilarious.0 -
Ooo those foreign cleanses are the best by far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I do a 7 day body cleanse every other month or so (Arbonne). You eat while you are on it, you just add the cleanse to 32 oz of water. It's gentle - no extra trips to the bathroom. I love it because about day 4 or 5, my skin starts to look really good, with a nice glow to it.
The Chernobyl Cleanse?0
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