Fueled by a quick fix solution for improved health, detox (or detoxification) diets have gained in popularity. To name a few, claims range from the likes of improved digestion, fewer aches and pains, decreased inflammation, mental clarity and weight loss. Due to the popularity of these diets even celebrities such as Dr. Oz, Jillian Michael’s and Gwyneth Paltrow have promoted the benefits of a cleanse, making it more enticing to the general public. We obviously can’t believe everything we read but sometimes common sense goes out the window when we see how much publicity and marketing has surrounded the detox/cleanse industry. Articles published by Mayo Clinic as well as the British Dietetic Association conclude that their is very little clinical evidence to support the use of these diets and that they actually work. Everyone is jumping on the band wagon and use these terms freely to market their product or service, making it a great way to make money, but do they have the proof to back it up?
According to Evelyn Tribole, RD., coauthor of “Intuitive Eating” some of these liquid or food restrictive diets are very low in protein, so even after a few days your body starts to break down muscle tissue to use as fuel. You may in fact end up with less lean muscle tissue then when you started the program, which would not be beneficial. If you are considering one of these diets there still isn’t any clear cut evidence if we truly can detoxify with the foods we eat, or whether we even need to be concerned about it. After all, our bodies come equipped with our own natural detoxification system, and can remove toxins and waste by way of the liver, kidneys, intestines and the skin when we sweat. As long as we are eating a variety of whole preferably organic and non-GMO foods, limit saturated fat and processed foods from our diets and reduce our exposure to chemical additives we shouldn’t worry too much.
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