FYI-Report on Detox...

korygilliam

I have seen many times people contemplating about doing some form of 'detox'. I found this on my health library (H2U: Health 2 U) provided by my work and thought some may find useful


Advocates of detox diets claim that following the diet will result in the following benefits among others:

Fewer headaches
Improved complexion
Weight loss
Decreased bloating

While these may be real benefits of a detox diet, it is interesting to note that the most likely explanations are not so mysterious. Fewer headaches may be attributed to improved hydration and avoidance of caffeine and alcohol (although caffeine withdrawal may initially cause headaches). An improved complexion may be due to improved hydration and an increased nutrient intake from fruits and vegetables. Weight loss and decreased bloating can both be attributed to calorie deprivation. Less salt intake will also decrease bloating.

Scientific Evidence Lacking
To date, there has been little research on the various detoxification diets, and as a result, there is no scientific support for or against any of their health claims. Instead, both pro and con arguments rely on what is known about the functioning of the human body, as well as toxicology (the study of toxins).

What we do know is that certain components of many of the detox diets are actually quite healthful, including:

Focus on fruits and vegetables. It is not new news that fruits and vegetables are healthful, and the most recent dietary guidelines have upped the recommended daily servings for these foods. Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants that all work to promote health and fight disease
Reduced calorie intake. Detoxification diets reduce total calorie intake by eliminating whole groups of food, such as meat and dairy. Since most Americans consume too many calories, reducing total calorie intake a bit would be beneficial and most likely lead to gradual weight loss. The catch is that these diets often reduce calories too much, leading to muscle loss and putting the body into starvation mode, which results in slower metabolism and conservation of calories.

The Body’s Way of Detoxifying
Our bodies are remarkable systems that filter out toxins on an ongoing basis. The organs responsible for detoxification are the liver, lungs, kidneys, and skin. When nutrients and other substances first enter the body the first place they go is the liver, which filters out and eliminates harmful toxins such as drugs and alcohol. Additionally, the kidneys filter out wastes by creating urine for excretion. The skin allows us to sweat out toxins, and the lungs allow us to filter the air that we breathe.

Since our bodies are primarily water—around 70%—it makes sense that staying hydrated through drinking adequate amounts of water also helps us stay healthy. However, to date there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that water flushes out toxins.

The Bottom Line
Without research available to support the claims made by these various detoxification diets, consumers should be skeptical.

Rather than going on a short-term detox diet, make healthful long-term changes to your diet such as eating a more plant-based diet, drinking more water, and cutting back on your caffeine and alcohol intake.