So, not too much more to add, but i interestingly enough just received this email the other day, and it seems quite appropriate. It’s a short article written by Canadian dietitians who have been studying detox diets. Oh, and since email is hardly a reliable source, this is through my university’s chemistry department, not a random spam:
“The Real Detox
Wishing you felt more energetic, alert, and refreshed? Have you heard that a detox diet will free your body from built-up waste and make you feel better? In reality, detox and cleansing routines have no proven benefits and could in fact set you back in achieving good health.
The basis for most detox plans is that “toxic” materials collect in the body and have to be cleaned out. What these plans fail to recognize is that the body is able to detox naturally. The liver, kidneys, and lymph system work around the clock to clean the blood. These organs do an excellent job of dealing with waste. Your job is to take care of these helpers by taking good care of yourself.
A typical detox begins with fasting (no food) intended to clean the organs and blood. After the fast, only small amounts of certain types of food are allowed. Entire groups of healthy food are off limits. This makes it impossible for the body to get all the energy and good nutrition it needs. Without enough food, your body’s metabolism – or rate that energy burns – will slow down in an attempt to save the energy it has left. Physical effects of short-term detox include headaches, dizziness, anxiety, and extreme hunger. Long-term or routine detox can make you low in iron (anemic), dehydrated, and malnourished. It is important to eat a variety of nutritious foods to avoid these unpleasant effects.
Along with food restrictions, over-the-counter laxatives are often part of a “detox” or “cleanse”. Laxatives are not appropriate for everyday use and should only be taken for medical reasons. If not used properly for long periods, laxatives can make your body lose too much water and cause permanent damage to your large intestine.
Now for the good news: there is a lifestyle that helps you feel your best without having to go through a dangerous “detox” or “cleanse”. Eat a healthy diet of a variety of food, drink plenty of water, and get regular exercise so you can maintain your body’s natural method of detox. It is also important to find the time to relax and relieve a little stress!
In short, detox and cleansing routines offer no proven benefits to health and may be harmful to your body. Diet, exercise, and stress management are always the safest and best approach to improving your overall health. A registered dietitian is your most reliable source for up-to-date nutrition advice. They can offer suggestions to make healthy life changes. Canada’s Food Guide and Canada’s Activity Guide are great tools to help keep you on track, and can be found online at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php or at your local public health office. Contact your local healthcare provider to find a dietitian in your area.”