Cleansing

If someone eats what is considered a healthy, balanced diet, consisting mainly of whole foods and recommended amounts of fiber, the body is more than capable of "detoxifying" itself.

For the most part, "cleansing" is pseudo-science, supported primarily by anecdotal and testimonial "evidence".

What is that evidence? I would like to read it. I have never heard of cleansing as a pseudo-science. I guess that would depend on the type of cleansing, maybe??? Can you argue that a person whom has consumed soft-drinks, processed carbs, and caffiene leading to obesity and addiction would not be "cleansing" by easing into, as you said, "what is considered a healthy, balanced diet, consisting mainly of whole foods and recommended amounts of fiber" That is what cleansing is designed for. While there are many different levels of detoxification, the premis of it is to rid the body of toxins and continue into a healthier lifestyle. If you quit smoking and adopt a healthier release to your stress such as running, that would be the same thing.
Yes the human body is more than capable of detoxifying itself. However, to someone who follows a toxic diet and or lifestyle or deals with large amounts of stress, thier body is not functioning at an optimal level. Therefore, it is not "pseudo-science" to assist the body back to its optimal level of function.

It sounds to me like you are referring to more than one subject. Let me clarify my terms.

Following an unhealthy lifestyle has adverse effects on the body and can be implicated in a number of disease conditions--diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, etc. The unhealthy behaviors result in adverse physological conditions that contribute to the disease.

Changing those lifestyle behaviors changes the internal conditions and can improve the body's internal homeostasis and perhaps repair damage that has ocurred or restore functions. Sometimes the damage is long-standing and cannot be repaired or reversed--you can only prevent further progression.

If I am reading your remarks correctly, one of the things you are saying is you are referring to lifestyle changes--e.g. exercise, diet changes, stress reduction---as "cleansing". I don't think that is a common use of that term. Lifestyle changes are...lifestyle changes.

As I understand it, the common use of terms such as "cleansing" and "detoxification" refer to the introduction of external products or the use of specific, short-term food strategies to "cleanse" the body or "rid" the body of "toxins". You seem to imply that there are methods of "cleansing" that can quickly duplicate the long-tem effects of lifestyle changes, or that can "reset" the body to a healthier level which can then be continued or augmented by lifestyle changes. That's the concept that I am referring to as "psuedo science". I draw a line between those substances--herbs, teas, whatever--that might contribute to creating healthier "internal conditions" (just as any other healthy food or lifestyle practice) and those which claim to "draw out" or "expel" "toxins" on a one-time basis.

I don't know that there is much credible evidence to support that concept. As I said, the body is contstantly filtering and regenerating--your kidneys filter your entire blood supply more than 1500 times a day, you replace your entire supply of red blood cells every 120 days. The idea that you can "flush your system" once or twice a year strains credulity.

I certainly do not reject "alternative medicine" out of hand. But I do believe that "alternative" methods need to be subjected to the same standard of rigorous empirical testing as any other medical treatment or lifestyle intervention and I do not think that evidence exists in this case.

Thank you for clarifying. I understand what you are saying.

Cleansing as I am referring is a way to ease into a lifestyle change. I do not agree with the crazy products that are on the market or the way the media has presented cleansing or detoxifying. Cleansing can also help ease someone into seasonal changes. I realize that this is not the "common" way of looking at it, but in alternative medicine this is the way it is. Of course alternative medicine is not common either and it is widely misunderstood.

Cleansing does not have to involve teas or herbs. Those are just a small part of the process. Herbs are beneficial at anytime and teas can be taken to assist the body in many ways. European medicine requires a perscription to get herbs and essential oils because they are so potent. There is plenty of evidence that they can be toxic as well. There are herbs that can do the same things medicines do to treat most to all symptoms we could have; headaches, skin rashes, constipation....the list goes on and on. These herbs are often used in traditional medicine as ingredients in phamaceuticals. Senna is the most recognisable, it is used in most laxitives. They are not used to draw out toxins on a one time basis, they can be used at anytime to ease almost any symptom. Some herbs are detoxifying by nature because they assist the lymphatic system or integumentary system.

I know that cleansing can help the body. I used the Master Cleanser to get rid of eczema. Two years of internal and external steroids did nothing, but 5 days of fasting cleared my skin. My point is that cleansing is beneficial when used correctly. There are many different types of cleanses out there and they are not all for everybody. If someone is able to eat and live clean 100% of the time that is fabulous! We are not all in a place where that is possible, so cleansing can help the body adjust to changes, treat symptoms or adopt new habits.

There is evidence that supports fasting and other types of detox diets, I do not have time at the moment to pull that information. I think that at some point I will start a thread to discuss these topics as it seems to provide for some good hearty debating and great conversation. Meanwhile, I have to recommend Dr. Haas website again. If you are into clean eating you may enjoy reading his topics on nutrition. Its not all about cleansing, but he does offer great info on the subject and he is an MD who has done studies and research on detoxing. www.elsonhaas.com

Thanks for the conversation Azdak!
Holly:flowerforyou:

Just wondering if anyone has any opinions or advice about cleansing and all the products out there. I've been tempted to do this but there is just so many choices and conflicting info. Any thoughts?

I beieve in them wholeheartedly. People need to realize YOU DO NOT LOSE WEIGHT from cleansing, you may lose a little. It does exactley what it states---cleansing!.

I use all natural Enzymatic Therapy Whole Body Cleanse. I do this 2 times a year, its says to do it seasonally but I usually do it summer and winter.

Another missconception people have about cleansing products is they think.... sorry for this.... but they will crap their brains out. WRONG! You will not be sittingon the toilet all day. When you normally go you go, its not diarrhea, again sorry...... your stools will still be formed but sorry again but long, and you will feel great after you have completed the system. Go for the all-natural products, I get mine at the Vitamin Shoppe, and dont be scared. It may upset your stomach the first couple days because it is something different but you will not be blowing the bathroom out DONT WORRY!