The theory
Advocates of detoxing suggest that our bodies can become overloaded with toxins from the substances we put into them, and also from the environment we are surrounded by. It is claimed that a detox plan can improve sluggishness, lethargy, headaches, bad breath, spots, and allergies, amongst other things. They suggest that cutting out certain foods and substances, for a specified time, will aid the liver and kidneys to cleanse itself from the inside, and as a result boost the immune system.
The science behind their claims? In short: none! However, this doesn’t stop manufacturers and various “practitioners” making ridiculous claims to the numerous health benefits of detoxing!
The BBC have recently covered a fascinating series called “The Truth About Food.” The series investigated 500 volunteers, and exposes the real science behind the food we eat. Want to know what food really does to your body? You can check out their website, Science & Nature: The Truth About Food, for numerous video clips from the series.
I came across a great clip on the site, “Does Detox Work?” This is a question many people ask, and unfortunately many believe there are health benefits to be gained from detoxing. However, this is far from the truth, and detoxing is merely a money making, marketing ploy! If you want to throw away good money – go on a detox plan!
The truth
Our bodies are extremely well designed, and they do a fantastic job of “cleansing” themselves. Our liver, kidneys, skin, lungs, and gut, are constantly processing and eliminating these nasty toxins. Meticulously flushing with copious amounts of water and fresh juices will do nothing to speed up the process. If you require further convincing, check out this amazing trial:
My advice: drink more water, and get an early night. Your body will love you for it!
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Are you telling me there are no benefits to detoxing? I think this article is very one sided. Not everyone looking to detox goes out and spends money on some fad diet.
You can detox your body by eliminating alcohol, cigarettes, caffiene and refined sugar.
Vitamin C flushes out the body by making toxins water soluable, making it easier to flush from the body.
Detox has been used for thousands of years by many cultures, and all of them know there are bodily benefits from it.
Its not just a money maker. Be smart about what you’re doing, and make healthy choices.
Hi Meghann,
This article was an attempt to discuss detox diets, not what I would call “lifestyle changes” such as giving up smoking or cigarettes as you mentioned – obviously I am in complete favour of that.
What I disagree with is those who push their products, claiming they can “detox the body”. These are unnecessary, and completely unproven scientifically.
I agree this article is no better than the misleading ads for some detox products. To say all are “completed unproven scientifically” perpetuates the AMA-approved stereotype — if your MD didn’t recommend it (and profit from it) then it’s not valid. Is this web site funded by anyone? Working someone’s commercial agenda?
The word “Detox” has been taken over by some unscrupulous marketers pushing products, but that doesn’t invalidate the whole concept. Your choice of headline is very tabloid-like, and I can only suscpect you have no better scruples than those marketers, for jumping on the attention bandwagon proclaiming everything detox is unproven and “a complete scam”. If you were really interested in helping consumers, you wouldn’t make it so easy to discount you as just another scammy diet web site.
Marline,
There is no commercial agenda behind this website, it is certainly not a “scammy diet web site,” if you would take time to look around at my other articles you will understand that I merely have the interests of my readers in mind.
I find little in the way of scientific evidence to promote detoxing–if you can point me to reputable studies on this matter I will certainly consider them, I am by no means on a one track mind, in fact I welcome new information. So, I leave it open for you to give me evidence that detoxing works. The balls in your court!