The diet makes use of the body's natural system of neutralizing and eliminating the various toxins that the body takes in. As an internal protective system, the body converts any material that may seem harmful to the body into a chemical form that is less dangerous.

Toxins can take several forms depending on what is taken into the body. Examples of harmful toxins are external chemicals like pesticides and household cleaners that are accidentally ingested; food additives, drugs and other food materials that may affect the body in a bad way; and of course cigarettes. Some toxins come from the body such as ammonia, a chemical produced when proteins are broken down during digestion. Because of the ingrained system, all these toxins no longer stay in the body and are excreted and flushed out in the form of stools or urine.

Basically, the term detox diet is used in the treatment of people who have become dependent on drugs and alcohol; but now with the birth of various kinds of diets, the term is used to any diet that helps in detoxifying the body.

The diet itself focuses on taking in foods that provide vitamins, nutrients and other chemicals such as anti-oxidants that help the body purify itself. There is also much emphasis on lessening or reducing the chemicals that are being taken inside the body. This is why many people under detox diet prefer to eat organic food.

Another technique with the detox diet is the emphasis on high fibers and water to help the body get rid of the toxins. People undergoing detox diet will experience headache during the first few days. Some may also suffer from excessive diarrhea so it is important to watch out for dehydration. There is also a risk if constipation if not enough water is taken in.

Detox diet however is not for people who have anemia, diabetes and heart disease. It is also not recommended for women who are pregnant or those people who are suffering from kidney problems, liver disease, underweight issues and ulcer. People with low blood pressure, low immunity, hypothyroidism and epilepsy are also discouraged to go under a detox diet.

From the name itself, the cabbage soup diet is a program that involves the cabbage soup as the central figure. It may seem absurd at first and quite different from other diet programs such as the Atkins diet and the South Beach diet but it actually has a rationale.

The cabbage soup diet is based on the assumption that diets that contain high fiber but low in fat can help the body lose weight. The cabbage soup is usually made of cabbage, onions and tomatoes. The soup is supposed to fat-burning as it has a high fiber content. In fact, the more soup that you take in each day, the more calories you will burn and the more pounds you will lose. The taste will be bland so it has to be taken in with other foods.

Unlike other diet programs, there are no restrictions in the food that you take in as long as you drink the cabbage soup with every meal. From low calorie vegetables to potatoes and beef, you can eat anything you want. Of course, dieters under the program are encouraged to take in fruits and vegetables as well as unsweetened fruit juices.

One guideline, however, that must be strictly met is the fact that all meals should be broiled, baked or boiled. No fried meals for the duration of the diet. Another guideline is to avoid alcohol, bread and other carbonated drinks that hastens weight gain.

One downside to the cabbage soup diet is the fact that it not for the long term. It can only be done for a period of seven days. By the end of the week, the person can lose as much as 15 pounds depending of course on the meal that he or she has eaten during the program and how much you have adhered to the guidelines. Beyond the prescribed week, continuing the program can be dangerous to one's health as too much weight will already be lost.

Because of this, dieters often use the cabbage soup diet if they need to lose weight fast. In fact, most people use the program to get into shape before they enroll in a long term diet program. Some get into the cabbage soup diet program when they need to lose extra pounds for a special occasion.