Detox diets are quite popular these days, and they are especially common around this time of year when people are making and trying to keep their resolutions for the New Year. Although they could cause someone to take action to protect their health, the truth is that there is no such thing: Your body can detoxify itself without the need for any special diets or programs. According to some experts, some detox diets may even be dangerous for your health.
Cleansing diets are often presented as a way to remove toxins from your body and drop pounds quickly. It’s true that your body accumulates toxins in your day-to-day life. We may breathe them in or drink them, or they may leach into the foods we eat. However, the body is also uniquely adapted to deal with these threats. Everything that enters the bloodstream must go through the liver, which filters and purifies the blood and removes potentially dangerous substances. These substances are not stored in the liver but are instead excreted as waste or stored in fat cells.
While cleansing may not necessarily hurt your body, it could have unintended consequences. Rapid weight loss can lead to lean muscle loss, which can reduce your metabolic rate. You may also feel fatigued or irritable, and you may have difficulty concentrating, insomnia or bowel problems. Finally, a detox-type diet may be hard to maintain long-term, which means that the weight you do lose may come right back if you fail to make long-term changes in your eating habits and lifestyle.
Instead of juicing, prolonged fasting or doing other special cleansing programs, consider reducing your overall toxic load. Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol heavily or taking unnecessary medications. Limit your intake of processed foods and drinks. Eat a balanced diet with fresh foods close to their natural form, and read labels to make sure your favorite foods are free of artificial dyes, excessive sugar, preservatives and other unwanted ingredients. Drink plenty of water and other fluids, which help flush the liver, kidneys, lungs and sweat glands so that they can keep toxins under control. Exercise regularly, focusing on both aerobic exercises and weight training to build muscle, burn calories and strengthen your body.