Detox Diets

Known alternatively as cleansing diets, a detoxification diets’ purpose is to eliminate toxins from the body. Toxins can be naturally introduced via bodily functions such as the ammonia produced by the body when the breakdown of various proteins occurs, or they can be absorbed from chemicals found in the immediate environment. According to detoxification adherents, toxins and poisons can be found in household cleansers, air pollution, heavy metals such as lead and mercury, as well as in food additives. They feel that our bodies eventually become overwhelmed by all of the chemical poisons constantly introduced into our systems, which can result in chronic illness and other serious medical conditions. By eating a diet free of the types of additives found in many commercial foods, detox dieters believe they can flush these health hazards out of their systems.
Detox diets generally work by using a combination of water, fruit, and vegetables to cleanse the body and rid it of harmful chemicals. Alcohol and processed foods are generally off limits throughout the detox process. Advocates often consider it more of a lifestyle choice than an actual diet. Medical science is leery of these types of diet plans since they see them as quite hard on many people’s systems, with few positive scientific results. These diets are widely used in alternative medicine and many dieters embrace some spiritual aspects of detoxification diets.
Before undertaking this type of diet, it is wise to seek a physician’s advice. They are generally viewed as fairly benign by the medical community but can be dangerous if you are pregnant or nursing, or have certain chronic illnesses.