If you have been on the diet front lately, you have probably heard of detox diets. Basically, detox diets are the next big player in the fad diet game. Like Atkins, Southbeach, even the cabbage diet, different detox diets are popping up all over the internet and in bookstores. What exactly are detox diets, do they work, and are detox diets safe?
The premise behind detox diets is that your body is full of toxins, many of which come from the foods you eat. A basic detox diet will have you fast for a certain period of time, which means you will not eat at all. You will then only eat specific foods that are believed to be toxin free, completely refraining from other foods, such as sugar, red meat, wheat, and eggs. Most detox diets also call for a cleansing process during which colonics, or enemas, are used or herbal colon cleansers.
It is important to understand that detox diets are not really designed for weight loss; instead they are to cleanse your body of harmful toxins. The goal should not be to lose weight. Secondly, there is a great deal of controversy over these diets and whether they are safe.
For the most part, the diets are meant to be relatively short term, or at least the most stringent part is. You will only be required to fast and undergo body cleansing for a few days. Anything longer will definitely cause health problems. Fasting for any length of time will cause nutritional deficiencies, fatigue, dehydration, and possibly eating disorders. Likewise, the colon cleansers that are used to rid the body of waste are basically laxatives that can also cause dehydration and nutritional deficiencies if used in excess. So it would seem that you are doing something very dangerous, but because you only do it for a short time, they try to pick out the potential beneficial aspects of it.
While healthy people may be able to go on a detox diet, not have any complications, and potentially even benefit from it, a person that is not at their best should see a doctor before taking part in it. Likewise, children and teenagers should not go on a detox diet because their bodies still need a certain number of calories and fat grams to maintain healthy growth and optimal development. If there is any question, see you doctor before starting any diet plan.
Detox Diets are the newly-researched, scientific way of cleansing accumulated toxic wastes from the body. The human body is exposed to toxins from environmental pollutants, processed foods, pesticides and non- evacuated metabolic bodily wastes. They build up gradually over many years and remain stored within body fat, resulting in number of ailments. Diseases like cancer, heart attacks, ulcers, skin problems, various aches and pains, lowered immunity, obesity, etc are all caused by accumulated toxins in our body. A regular detox diet purges and purifies the body.
Detox Diet Foods
Natural, unprocessed fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, low fat diary products are all detox diet foods.
Elimination of meat, fish, eggs, and processed foods containing pesticides, heavy metal, stimulants like tea, coffee, alcohol and cigarettes for a few days from our diet can greatly reduce the toxic build up in our body. Consumption of purified water keeps the system hydrated and helps in flushing out wastes from the kidneys.
Detox Diets : Methods
- Fasting at least once a week regularly or subsisting on water and fruits along with fasting releases the toxins and purifies the system. It rests the internal body organs as well.
- Hydrotherapy by taking special types of bath or through sauna therapy opens the skin pores allowing for better detoxification.
- Nutritional supplements instead of food, in the form of powders or packaged protein snacks, too help in detoxification by burning fat for energy.
- Specific detox diet periods last between 7 and 30 days. It can be very restrictive and needs to be followed strictly for effectiveness. It is always better to detox regularly with a natural diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Benefits of Detox Diets
- It trains you to eat toxin-free foods when you see an improvement in your health.
- It makes you feel light, helps in losing weight by eliminating stored toxins and improves metabolism.
- It helps prevent serious diseases, improves resistance to colds, coughs and allergens, aids digestion, enhances mental activity and keeps you more energized and rested.
Detox diets are one of the best ways to live a healthy and happy life.
Both Julia Tanner & Barney Garcia are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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