Detox diets are generally short-term dietary interventions designed to eliminate toxins from the body.

A typical detox diet involves a period of fasting, followed by a strict diet of fruits, vegetables, fruit juices and water. At times your health care provider also include herbs, teas, supplements and colon cleanses in your detox diet.

This is aimed to:

• Rest the organs by fasting.
• Stimulate the liver to get rid of toxins.
• Promotes toxin elimination through urine, sweat and feces.
• Improves circulation and also provides body with healthy nutrients.

Detox diets are most commonly recommended because of exposure to toxic chemicals in the environment or diet. These include pollutants, synthetic chemicals, heavy metals and other harmful compounds. These diets are also claimed to help with various health problems, including obesity, digestive issues, autoimmune diseases, inflammation, allergies, bloating and chronic fatigue.

There are many ways of going through a detox diet

1. Fasting for 1-3 days.
2. Drinking fresh fruits and vegetable juices, smoothies, water and tea.
3. Avoiding all allergenic foods and then slowly re introducing them
4. Completely eliminating alcohol, coffee, cigarettes and refined sugar

The different detox diets vary in intensity and duration. Detox diet and weight loss

Some people may lose a lot of weight quickly, this seems to be due to loss of fluids and carbs stores, rather than fat. This weight is usually regained quickly once you start eating again. If a detox diet involves severe calorie restrictions, then it will most certainly cause weight loss and improvements in metabolic health. However this type of crash dieting will not lead to long term results unless you make it a lifestyle change.

Beneficial Aspects of Detox Diet

There are few aspects of detox diet that may have health benefits

1. Eliminating “toxins” from body fat by losing excessive fat.
2. Exercising and sweating regularly.
3. Eating, whole, nutritious and healthy food.
4. Avoiding processed food.
5. Drinking water and green tea
6. Limiting stress and getting good sleep.

Over Dosing

1.  Gastrointestinal Side Effects

Diarrhea is a common side effect of a detox cleanse. In fact it is said that diarrhea is a sign your body is getting rid of toxic substances. However, diarrhea is most likely caused by sugar from fresh juice.

2.  Dangerous Side Effects

A detox cleanse can be harmful to your health. Today’s dietitian/health care provider claims that a long term detox diet, that si not closely supervised by a medical professional may lead to severe electrolyte imbalance, which may cause life threatening heart problems.

3.  Detox Cleanse Not For Everyone

Some people should avoid detox cleanse altogether because of its potential impact on their overall health. A detox cleanse for teens, may effect growth and is not recommended. People with chronic illnesses, such as heart disease or diabetes and pregnant women should also avoid detox cleanse.

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