Detoxes and Cleanses- ARE THESE SAFE OR NOT?

Gogretchen1
Gogretchen1 Posts: 74
edited December 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Hello all,

I have recently taken a curiosity to some of the detoxification methods I have read about online. Though I have done a fair amount of reading over the last few weeks, I still feel like I am at square one because so much of the information is conflicting. With so much progress in my health, I found the idea of taking a few days to fully flush any extra toxins out of my body to be rather intriguing. I already use other detoxifying methods- such as magnetic clay, epsom salts, etc. But I have never done any sort of inner- flush. I have heard good and bad things about colon cleanses and single-food diets (such as the 72 hour cranberry diet) and though they sound beneficial- I really do not want to cause any unneeded stress or harm to my digestive system. I have, however, also heard that putting the body in an extreme, fast-like, state once in a great while is beneficial and can act as a sort of "reset" button to the body.

So my question is: Have any of you tried these things? and if so, what were your results and what would you recommend? Are Methods? Brands? Homemade recipes? I am interested in it all! I would ideally love to do something that is all natural/organic and that I do not need to order online. (poor college student;) )

Like I said, I am interested soley in the detoxification of my body. I do not have any problems with my health or constipation or anything like that, which is why many people would consider something like a colon cleanse. I just want to get rid of anything that I don't need!

*NOTE: YES- I know that a healthy diet and lots of water should ideally yield sufficient detoxification for the body. I already do that, though. I just want to know if something more extreme is worth it.

Replies

  • happyfeetrebel1
    happyfeetrebel1 Posts: 1,005 Member
    Not in my opinion. These are just gimmicks designed for desperate people to give up their hard earned money for.

    Your body cleanses itself naturally, there's no need for anything else :)
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    do not do it. your body can detoxify itself. epsom salts, laxatives, and single food diets are going to do more harm than good. please just do it the old fashioned way...moderate calorie restriction and get physical. that's it. best of luck to you!
  • Shadowsan
    Shadowsan Posts: 365 Member
    Detoxes etc are generally rubbish.

    Note - Anything that clears your digestive tract completely is BAD - it's actually removing plenty of good bacteria that needs to be there for your body to operate naturally.

    As for everything else - that's what your liver and kidneys are for.

    You'd be much better served avoiding stuff that is bad for your health to give your liver and kidneys a chance, and maybe take a little milk thistle to give your liver a helping hand if you're concerned.

    Past that point, eat well and work out. Job done :)
  • ShaneOSX
    ShaneOSX Posts: 198
    No, they are all scams.
  • 2hobbit1
    2hobbit1 Posts: 820 Member
    Nope! They are scams to profit off of people desperate to loss fast with out the hard work and lifestyle change needed for real sustainable weight loss. At best they are a uncomfortable at the worst they can cause permanent damage.
  • Gogretchen1
    Gogretchen1 Posts: 74
    Detoxes etc are generally rubbish.

    Note - Anything that clears your digestive tract completely is BAD - it's actually removing plenty of good bacteria that needs to be there for your body to operate naturally.

    As for everything else - that's what your liver and kidneys are for.

    You'd be much better served avoiding stuff that is bad for your health to give your liver and kidneys a chance, and maybe take a little milk thistle to give your liver a helping hand if you're concerned.

    Past that point, eat well and work out. Job done :)

    Thanks for the input! I haven't ever heard of milk thistle- What does it do, exactly??
  • Shadowsan
    Shadowsan Posts: 365 Member
    Milk thistle helps restore full liver function in the event you're concerned you've been giving your liver a hard time (drink/drugs/really bad foods/etc).

    Past that point, i'd not worry too much - keep your water intake up and go the clean eating route.
  • joybedford
    joybedford Posts: 1,680 Member
    I suffer from IBS and it was recommended that colonic irrigation may help I went for the treatment which was ok not too uncomfortable but at the end she gave me 2 acidophilus capsules to replace the good bacteria she had just got rid of. That made me think it was a waste of time why would I wash out beneficial bacteria. Now if my IBS flares up I take acidophilus and peppermint oil capsules and save my hard earned cash. It works better I didn't notice any good effects from it except for a good poo and I could take movicol for that.
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