Detox- does anyone recommend it. I have never tried it

mariamminhas

Hi guys, i read often about detox ...has anyone ever tried it; is it effective and is it healthy to do?

JesterMFP

What kind of detox? That always makes me think of drugs/alcohol detoxing. What effects are you hoping to achieve?

bethmac_va

Personally, I think they are dangerous. I was thinking about doing a juice "fast" and found this article. I'd already made up my mind not to do it but this article covers the dangers pretty well...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18595886/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/t/experts-warn-detox-diet-dangers/#.T-rUso5E5qs

BerryH

You have an amazing detoxifying organ in your body, the liver. Don't overstrain it with alcohol and too much junk and it'll do its job quite nicely.

joankpoirier

I have a couple of family and friends that have completed this process and noticed a big difference.
if done correctly, as more of a cleanse Using whole foods and grains. there are some Great health benefits.
But again it has to be done RIGHT
"Increase energy, lose weight, and lower your cholesterol in 21 days. In just 3 weeks, Ultimate Reset will help your body get rid of the toxins you've been taking in for decades. This gentle, no-starvation cleanse helps restore your body to its optimal "factory settings," so you can feel, look, and be healthier than before.*"

CorrieJane

I just did my first ever juice cleanse!! You have to do it right-make sure you are getting the proper nutrients and think of it as a cleanse more then a fast. They get dangerous when people think of them as a "lose 10 pounds quick!!" kind of thing. As another responder said, our bodies have a wonderful detoxing system-the thing is, with so much processed food in todays typical diet, our livers can't keep up and "toxins" can build up in our cells. I was so nervous about doing my juice cleanse, but I found the whole process to be incredible. I did mine through a local juice cafe in my town-the lady who owns the cafe made me 3 or 4 juices and 2 broths for each day, I would pick up the next days juice the night before. Also, before I did my 3 days of just juice, I had 5 full days of "prep" where I eliminated or greatly reduced meat, dairy, alcohol, sugar and caffine from my diet so I didn't totally shock my body when I started juicing. Then afterwards I had 5 days of slowly re-introducing those foods back into my diet.

The cafe I did mine through actually hosts group cleanses every few weeks, with a licensed nutritionist who keeps an online forum for the group to chat, swap receipes during prep week and lend support to each other during the cleanse. They do this group cleanse over weekends, and I work weekends, s I opted to do mine on my own schedule, but you might want to check around your town for a juice cafe-doing it in a group might be easier, especially the first time.

The thing that was most rewarding for me was not the physical benefits, but the mental ones. If you had asked me before I did this if I thought I could basicly go vegan for a week, then go 3 whole days consuming nothing but juice and water, I would have said no way. However, I did it, and I did it completely, no cheating. It also changed the way I looked at food, and has helped me mentally every day since I broke my fast. It was a very empowering experience, and I'm thankful that I did it. I really did feel better afterwards, and it has helped me control my eating-food has always been my weakness, and I needed this tough mental food "challenge" to really get my head in the right place.

I also recommend watching the documentary "Fat Sick and Nearly Dead". It's available on Netflix, and it follows one mans journey as he travels while on a 60-day juice fast. His story is amazing.

Best of luck to you if you decide to try a detox. Again, make sure you give your body all the nutrients you need-I didn't have the knowledge to make my own juices properly, so I found someone to make them for me. Feel free to add me as a friend if you'd like as well!!

kyle4jem

I think the benefits are psychosomatic rather than physical.

As Berry mentioned, your liver is designed to detox your body and unless you are hammering it with booze and junk - and I mean hammering it, not enjoying the odd pizza & beer - it will detox your body in 24 hrs, every 24 hrs and doesn't really need to be given any special detox treatments.

Your kidneys also filter out a lot of daily crap too.

There's certainly no harm in doing a detox or fast for a short period, but it should never be seen as a long-term solution to weight loss and you should always consult your GP if you have any worries.

More importantly, if you do choose to follow a detox and you can't stick it more than 1-2 days, don't view it as a failure. You've given it a try, it wasn't for you, move on and find something that does work for you and your lifestyle.

ScubyUK

I completed a Juice Cleanse a couple of weeks ago. 6 x 250ml Juices (or smoothies), a day for 5 days, plus 2L of water.
Day 1 and 2 were difficult, the Caffeine Withdrawal Headache was atrocious, but on days 3, 4 and 5 I started to feel brighter, more alert, and my skin cleared up.

I did mention to the Nutritionist looking after me that I was finding myself getting hungry around 9 or 10 at night, so he said to add some Crudites, or some grilled Chicken Strips or a Small Salmon filet of an evening, basically something with 20g or so of Protein to help relieve the pangs.

The idea is to help flush through all the rubbish, thus enabling the body to absorb a higher concentration of the nutrients we consume and aiding the Liver and Kidneys with their job.. It is definately NOT a substitute for a Healthy Balanced diet.

I for one would highly recommend one.

tam120

You have an amazing detoxifying organ in your body, the liver. Don't overstrain it with alcohol and too much junk and it'll do its job quite nicely.

As Berry mentioned, your liver is designed to detox your body and unless you are hammering it with booze and junk - and I mean hammering it, not enjoying the odd pizza & beer - it will detox your body in 24 hrs, every 24 hrs and doesn't really need to be given any special detox treatments.

Your kidneys also filter out a lot of daily crap too.

I don't mean to hijack the thread but with the above in mind, how can people actually eat cow's liver? How disgusting is it to eat something that filters out the body's toxins. Blech!

Anyway, the documentary "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead" is available to watch for free in the US on the site http://www.jointhereboot.com/
I'm in the process of the 15 day reboot right now, I'm doing the first 5 days plant based food and juice, the next 5 just juice and the last five plant based food and juice. Right now everything is fine, I've done plant based before so that's not a big deal for me but I am concerned about the all juice phase (headaches, lethargy, etc). The recipes are not as low calorie as one may think and they do provide proper nutrients, including protein, although low in protein. I've been drinking a green smoothie (from the site ohsheglows.com) with added hemp protein powder and ground flax every day to make up some of the protein (these can also be added to the juices).

It's worth a look at the documentary.

Merithyn

I think the benefits are psychosomatic rather than physical.

This. Plus, most people eat more crap than they realize, and not eating that for a week or so while maintaining the proper nutrients (probably for the first time ever) will definitely have an effect on your skin, energy levels, and attitude. Honestly, one doesn't need a juice purge in order to have those effects. Just double up on your fruits and veggies, minimize your bad fats, sugar, and alcohol, and voila! You've got the same thing without the extreme diet.

essjay76

As a cleanse, or a quick fix to make you feel like you're lighter, it may be good to do once in a while. As a long term weight loss solution - not so ideal.

Sidesteal

I believe it is an unnecessary process and I wouldn't recommend it.

MissFit0101

If you're using any amount of drugs, or drinking alcohol in excess, yes, I suggest you detox from it.

PercivalHackworth

I believe it is an unnecessary process and I wouldn't recommend it.

What the friend said.
People concerned with their bodies would benefit from understanding how it really works, it doesn't need any fashion diets or methods to regulate itself

mcarter99

I agree with the prevailing wisdom here.

I liked Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead but juicing is just another way of limiting calories. You'd be better off eating the whole plant and getting the satiety and digestive benefits of all that fiber you throw out.

ninerbuff

Detoxing is only necessary if you're an addict on drugs or alcohol.

It's a waste of money and time. Clean up your eating, get in the right macro/micro nutrients, exercise, get rest and your body will "detox" just fine.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

taso42

Are you trying to kick a heroin habit?

tigersword

http://sci-ence.org/red-flags2/
All you need to know.

Also, from that page:

“Helps Your Body…”: I once met an Osteopath at a small gathering. I nearly bit my tongue off as she told me about how she “helps the body heal itself.” Which is a clever way of saying “I don’t do anything, but feel free to thank me when you get better. Toodles!” Also note that if your body was really “off balance” or needed help “removing toxins.” You’d be at a real doctor, not buying herbs at CVS, because your skin would be yellow and you wouldn’t be able to stand.

mariamminhas

Thanks this is really helpful. I have been reading about the Master Cleanse and agree that i need to get the nutrients right. since i am doing it for the first time i have rallyed some colleagues to do it with me so thats its a group thing and no guys i dont have any alcohol or drugs

Bobby_Clerici

Hi guys, i read often about detox ...has anyone ever tried it; is it effective and is it healthy to do?

Is this that coffee enema thing?
ABSURD!

medaglia_06

Jillian says the only thing you need to detox your body is drinking your water...

jdhosier

My chiropractor got me started on this fitness journey with a Detox program from Standard Process. I lost 10 lbs in the first week (started at 382) and could feel a difference. I did this program for the prescribed 3 weeks and felt better. I don' t know if it was from the components of the Detox program or because I was making better choices with my food, as recommended with the program. Both played a part, I suspect.

Now, a year later, I am 85 lbs down and feeling a ton better. I am sure I could have done it without the Detox, but it was something of a catalyst to get me on track.

PittShkr

lizziebeth1028

You have an amazing detoxifying organ in your body, the liver. Don't overstrain it with alcohol and too much junk and it'll do its job quite nicely.

^^Yep this!!! Detoxes are unnecessary, put stress on the body and drain your pocketbook. Your liver and kidneys do the job already. Drink lot's of water, eat healthy and let nature take it's course!

Cliffslosinit

Drink lots of water and take a good *kitten*. You'll be fine.

chris1816

I don't mean to hijack the thread but with the above in mind, how can people actually eat cow's liver? How disgusting is it to eat something that filters out the body's toxins. Blech!

You clearly don't understand the entire function of the average liver in an animal or human. It is where many of your micronutrients are also stored. In most animals the liver synthesizes many nutrients. Did you know a dog's liver produces anywhere from 20-40 grams (not milligrams) of Vitamin C a day? Birds? 5-8 grams. Put either under any kind of systemic stress (injury/sickness) and that number skyrockets. Your tolerable intake of Vitamin C increases when you are ill (basically the amount you can supplement before you get the runs).

Cow, and Calf liver specifically is something I try to eat once a week, simply because of the sheer amount of nutrients it provides.

To name a few things, a single 4oz serving of Calf liver gives you the following in terms of daily recommended values:

vitamin A 1600.3%

vitamin B12 1598.8%

copper 847%

vitamin B2 190.5%

tryptophan 125%

choline 106.4%

folate 93.8%

zinc 84.8%

vitamin B3 74.5%

vitamin B5 74.3%

protein 64.4%

phosphorus 52.1%

vitamin B6 52%

iron 32.1%

selenium 31.2%

myfitnessnmhoy

I'm going to just throw in a "don't bother" vote. But you're an adult and I hope you feel it helps you if you decide to pursue it. Just don't spend a lot of money on it, at least. I hate to see these product purveyors profit from their wares - it encourages their pseudoscience.

Drink plenty of water and if you're worried about toxins, eat as much unprocessed food as you can manage and as little processed food as you can manage, and your body will rid itself of anything you don't want in it in a few days to a week, at most. I'm not a big proponent of the "processed food is automatically bad" theory, though most very heavily processed foods tend to be higher in sodium and simple sugars than I'd like, and those are not optimal for my diet in the quantities I tend to get them using a lot of processed foods. However, good unprocessed foods are generally cheaper (if less convenient) than processed foods, so tending toward them will save, not cost, money.

Your colon and digestive tract is actually a complex ecosystem with beneficial bacteria. If you "detox", you run the risk of flushing out the good with the bad, and upsetting that balance - which will lead you to feeling really crappy for a few days, then when the detox is over you feel so much better than crappy you forget that it's pretty close to how you felt before the detox period started.

The best detox is called the "eat clean and drink plenty of water" detox, and it's continuous. Drink enough water to make your urine pale yellow or clear (or 8 glasses a day of it if you'd rather not spend time examining the hue of your urine), eat fat and carbs and proteins in reasonable balance, don't load up on simple sugars or sodium (but eat enough sodium to feed your body properly), get enough fiber and potassium and iron and calcium and all that. You really can't do your body any bigger favors than that.

Oh, and exercise a lot. Both lifting and cardio. Build strength and stamina, and give your body some constructive things to do with all that beautiful clean food.

SmudgerSmithRhino

Our ancestors for the past couple of million years have managed to survive without a detox. What toxins have you got in your body that will only be removed from your body with grapefruit juice or some other ****? Detox is a pure gimmick to part fools and their money. Hell send your money to me and I'll send you a detox plan.

Even if you drink a lot of alcohol and eat junk food your body does an amazing job of expelling what does it no good.

A couple of days of laying off the alcohol and eating as clean as possible is all you need to do at most.

firedragon064

The best detox is eat whole food and drink lots of water. Go for organics if you can.
do you know there is SOME metal in the bread?
Baked your own bread.

markymarrkk

FAAACK!! Detox and cleanse program advocates Are so Faaaacking Annoying... you people are like doomsdayer's or conspiracy theorist..;. NAME ONE FCCKING "TOXIN" ? no you can't.... Show me ONE LEGIT SCIENTIST THAT CAN VOUCH FOR THIS SHTT, tell me exactly how juicing or special herbs are assisting my amazing internal organs to flush out "toxins" you CAn't . Oh please tell me about your extensive knowledge in Molecular Biology from your pHD in BioChemistry.! you can't So S. T. F. U. !!!!!!

Rant. over.

Johnsonmb1234

I once did a detox-10 days on the lemonade diet which included a lemon/water concoction with a salt water enema in the mornings. You had to wait at least 1 hour before going anywhere. One time I didn't wait long enough. When I was on my way to church, let's just say it was not a pretty sight (I really liked that suit too). Any way, the articles that I have read do not recommed this detox procedure. Ther is no evidence that it works and it rids your body of needed bacteria in your GI system. The articles say that your liver with the proper intake of wateris the best way to detox your body. Cheers