Assessing Benefits vs. Risks of Detox Diets
By: Katherine Loukianoff
Detoxifying is defined as “removing a harmful substance (as a poison or toxin) or the effect of such”. Detox diets have been around since the 1970s, and may have different meaning to each person. One typical idea of a detox diet is that eating certain foods or drinks or even the possible elimination of items from your diet to decrease the “toxins” that are stored in your body. Toxins are thought by some to cause inflammation and disease. In the May 2008 issue of Today’s Dietitian a review of the benefits vs. risks of detox diets was evaluated.
There are countless different types of detox diets. A case where the body would need to be detoxified would be if there were exposures to radioactivity, heavy metals, or poisons, not typically because of foods. However, some people are referring to “toxins” caused by environmental factors such as pesticides, air pollution, or from preservatives that are added to foods today. Massage therapists are known for recommending that clients drink plenty of water after a session because of substances that are stored in cells being released into the bloodstream from the massage. Detox diet can be thought of in this way as well, where nonnutritive substances in our body will be released, and pass through the body.
The author reminds us of the very limited research regarding detox diets, and that there are no published studies. There is some research regarding fasting, and the possible benefits that have been shown for people with chronic conditions, or breaking addictive habits. Detox diets are not particularly good for weight loss. It may be beneficial to jump start a weight loss plan and break habits, but should not be used long-term.
Those who are diabetic have low blood sugars, eating disorders, growing children, teens, pregnant women, and older adults should avoid detox diets. Also people on medications or have medical conditions shouldn’t jump into a detox diet with out consulting a health professional first. A short-term detox diet would best used by a healthy individual as a method of rejuvenation, and not as a method to handle a weight problem or for disease prevention.
Some side effects of detox diets can include decreased concentration, irritability, headaches, runny noses, allergy type reactions, diarrhea, and even more serious life-threatening electrolyte imbalances. Many claim the symptoms are due to the toxins moving out of the body.
Whether or not detox diets are effective remains unknown. The appeal of the detox diets is probably to do with ridding our bodies of stuff that should not be there, helping become clean from the inside out. Eating a healthy diet that is balanced with variety and moderation is still the best way to stay healthy. Some simple ways to eat better, and possibly reduce the “toxins” with out following a detox diet include eating less saturated fat, less sodium, less simple sugars, and eating more plant-based foods.
To read this article, go to:
http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/tdmay2008pg34.shtml
Detoxifying is defined as “removing a harmful substance (as a poison or toxin) or the effect of such”. Detox diets have been around since the 1970s, and may have different meaning to each person. One typical idea of a detox diet is that eating certain foods or drinks or even the possible elimination of items from your diet to decrease the “toxins” that are stored in your body. Toxins are thought by some to cause inflammation and disease. In the May 2008 issue of Today’s Dietitian a review of the benefits vs. risks of detox diets was evaluated.
There are countless different types of detox diets. A case where the body would need to be detoxified would be if there were exposures to radioactivity, heavy metals, or poisons, not typically because of foods. However, some people are referring to “toxins” caused by environmental factors such as pesticides, air pollution, or from preservatives that are added to foods today. Massage therapists are known for recommending that clients drink plenty of water after a session because of substances that are stored in cells being released into the bloodstream from the massage. Detox diet can be thought of in this way as well, where nonnutritive substances in our body will be released, and pass through the body.
The author reminds us of the very limited research regarding detox diets, and that there are no published studies. There is some research regarding fasting, and the possible benefits that have been shown for people with chronic conditions, or breaking addictive habits. Detox diets are not particularly good for weight loss. It may be beneficial to jump start a weight loss plan and break habits, but should not be used long-term.
Those who are diabetic have low blood sugars, eating disorders, growing children, teens, pregnant women, and older adults should avoid detox diets. Also people on medications or have medical conditions shouldn’t jump into a detox diet with out consulting a health professional first. A short-term detox diet would best used by a healthy individual as a method of rejuvenation, and not as a method to handle a weight problem or for disease prevention.
Some side effects of detox diets can include decreased concentration, irritability, headaches, runny noses, allergy type reactions, diarrhea, and even more serious life-threatening electrolyte imbalances. Many claim the symptoms are due to the toxins moving out of the body.
Whether or not detox diets are effective remains unknown. The appeal of the detox diets is probably to do with ridding our bodies of stuff that should not be there, helping become clean from the inside out. Eating a healthy diet that is balanced with variety and moderation is still the best way to stay healthy. Some simple ways to eat better, and possibly reduce the “toxins” with out following a detox diet include eating less saturated fat, less sodium, less simple sugars, and eating more plant-based foods.
To read this article, go to:
http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/tdmay2008pg34.shtml
posted by Margie Geiser, MBA, RD, NSCA-CPT at
7:21 AM
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