Cleansing and Detox Diets: Friend or Foe?
Gail Davis
July 27, 2008
One of the hottest diet crazes around today is cleansing and "detox" dieting for body detoxification purposes. You may think this is a relatively new approach to dieting, but it's basically been around for years, better known as fasting. The difference seems to be that some of the medical community now agree that periods of "fasting and flushing" are good for our systems; therefore, it's inevitable that more and more detox options will be coming to your attention.
Also, called "cleansing" diets, detox diets are touted as one of the healthiest things you can do for your body. Proponents further say that "cleansing" provides a multitude of benefits, including faster weight loss, more energy, a better complexion, better circulation, better digestion, and improved concentration.
It doesn't take an expert in anatomy to easily understand that the colon holds the wastes from your body. Cleansing and detox diets are designed to flush out the fecal matter that attaches itself to the walls of the colon. This matter, which is reported to sometimes be decades old, releases toxins into you system.
One of the leaders in this field is Dr. Anne Louise Gittelman, a former nutritionist for the Pritikin Longevity Center, and author of many books, including The Fat Flush Plan. Dr. Gittelman reports, "Many of us have livers that are tired and full of leftover toxins. By detoxifying the organ, we can restore its fat-burning power and begin to lose weight." She goes on to recommend that dieters get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, and keep a food journal, all good recommendations for any diet!
While there are many other cleansing and detox diet plans available such as The Raw Food Diet, The Diuretic Diet, The Green Tea Diet, The Liquid Diet, and The Juice Diet, one of the most popular ones seems to be The Master Cleansing Diet, which is also known as The Lemonade Diet.
The Lemonade Diet involves a 2-7 day fast while drinking a special concoction. The recipe for The Lemonade Diet is as follows:
1 Tbsp. Lemon juice
2 Tbsp. Grade B Maple Syrup
2 pinches Cayenne pepper
12 oz. Purified water
Drink this mixture several times a day, whenever you're thirsty or hungry. You can also drink purified water alone, but nothing else. You should add a multivitamin for obvious reasons. Because you're getting no fiber, they recommend that you take some type of herbal colon cleanser, such as the OxyPowder cleansing system.
So, do these cleansing and detox diets work? That depends on whom you ask. As already discussed, flushing the system seems to have some genuine health benefits.
Cleansing diets aren´t for everyone though. Many people experience unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, constipation, and headaches. Lethargy, cramps, and stomach aches are also not uncommon. You´ll definitely want to proceed with caution.
People should avoid detox diets if they have certain chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, thyroid disease, or autoimmune disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not participate in these diets.
Breaking a fast must be done gently. Slowly reintroduce solid food. Understand that the water weight you lost will return, at least in part, once you start eating solid foods. Fast weight loss is not the same as fat loss.
Understand also that these diets are not easy to follow. If you're overweight, you're probably very fond of food and the process of eating. The first 2-3 days will be the hardest. After that, your body adjusts. As always, see a doctor before starting anything new, especially if you have any existing medical conditions.
Also, called "cleansing" diets, detox diets are touted as one of the healthiest things you can do for your body. Proponents further say that "cleansing" provides a multitude of benefits, including faster weight loss, more energy, a better complexion, better circulation, better digestion, and improved concentration.
It doesn't take an expert in anatomy to easily understand that the colon holds the wastes from your body. Cleansing and detox diets are designed to flush out the fecal matter that attaches itself to the walls of the colon. This matter, which is reported to sometimes be decades old, releases toxins into you system.
One of the leaders in this field is Dr. Anne Louise Gittelman, a former nutritionist for the Pritikin Longevity Center, and author of many books, including The Fat Flush Plan. Dr. Gittelman reports, "Many of us have livers that are tired and full of leftover toxins. By detoxifying the organ, we can restore its fat-burning power and begin to lose weight." She goes on to recommend that dieters get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, and keep a food journal, all good recommendations for any diet!
While there are many other cleansing and detox diet plans available such as The Raw Food Diet, The Diuretic Diet, The Green Tea Diet, The Liquid Diet, and The Juice Diet, one of the most popular ones seems to be The Master Cleansing Diet, which is also known as The Lemonade Diet.
The Lemonade Diet involves a 2-7 day fast while drinking a special concoction. The recipe for The Lemonade Diet is as follows:
1 Tbsp. Lemon juice
2 Tbsp. Grade B Maple Syrup
2 pinches Cayenne pepper
12 oz. Purified water
Drink this mixture several times a day, whenever you're thirsty or hungry. You can also drink purified water alone, but nothing else. You should add a multivitamin for obvious reasons. Because you're getting no fiber, they recommend that you take some type of herbal colon cleanser, such as the OxyPowder cleansing system.
So, do these cleansing and detox diets work? That depends on whom you ask. As already discussed, flushing the system seems to have some genuine health benefits.
Cleansing diets aren´t for everyone though. Many people experience unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, constipation, and headaches. Lethargy, cramps, and stomach aches are also not uncommon. You´ll definitely want to proceed with caution.
People should avoid detox diets if they have certain chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, thyroid disease, or autoimmune disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not participate in these diets.
Breaking a fast must be done gently. Slowly reintroduce solid food. Understand that the water weight you lost will return, at least in part, once you start eating solid foods. Fast weight loss is not the same as fat loss.
Understand also that these diets are not easy to follow. If you're overweight, you're probably very fond of food and the process of eating. The first 2-3 days will be the hardest. After that, your body adjusts. As always, see a doctor before starting anything new, especially if you have any existing medical conditions.
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