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Detox Diet: Body Toxins, Plan, Recipe, Benefits And Side Effects
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Published: November 1, 2007
It is difficult to assess the benefits of a detox diet. Opinions on the subject tend to vary, and due to the extreme nature of some detox diet plans, medical professionals are usually disinclined to recommend them to their patients. Ideally, the execution of a detox diet will assist in the elimination of toxins from the dieter's system, and in the process, the ability of the body's toxin-filtering organs will be enhanced.
It should surprise no one that changing dietary habits can have an effect on someone's health. Though the benefits of detox diet plans have not been proven, many individuals report marked improvement in their physical and mental state following a detox diet regimen.
The ingestion of toxins from air, food and water is a fact of life. Fortunately, human biology is designed to filter out body toxins through the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver and gastrointestinal tract. Detox diets assist these organs through a short-term regimen of dietary prescriptions and restrictions. Sometimes these regimens go beyond diet specifications and recommend laxatives and exotic enemas to assist in the cleansing of toxins. In theory, dieters should have a general improvement in their health with an improved resistance to common maladies. Weight may be lost during the course of the detox diet; however, such diets are intended to cleanse the body of toxins, and any loss of weight should be considered incidental.
One detox diet, "The Master-Cleanse," is also known as "The Lemonade Diet." The diet was conceived by nutritionist Stanley Burroughs and involves the consumption of a concoction containing lemon-water, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. The dieter will consume this recipe, and only this, for a minimum of 10 days. The only warranted variance from the detox diet plan is a laxative-herbal tea. The likely side effects from the diet occur when dieters are not using the bathroom enough. In such cases, the body toxins have been released from storage but have failed to exit. The potential side effects of the detox diet are generally unpleasant. Side effects include headaches, fatigue, nausea and skin irritations, all of which are commonly referred to as "detox flu." Side effects may also be experienced with other detox regimens, and they can be lessened with the proper preparation.
The symptoms of "detox flu" may be alleviated through a pre-diet regimen high in protein, fiber and antioxidants. Foods high in carbohydrates should be avoided during the pre-detox session, which should last at least a month. After this period the body should be better prepared to deal with the shock of the detox diet. The organs responsible for cleansing body toxins should have built up enough of the proper enzymes to maintain their functions during the detox, reducing or eliminating episodes of "detox flu."
Of course, there are other detox diet plans less intense than The Master-Cleanse. Energiseforlife.com offers a detox routine that actually allows the dieter to eat. Their detox requires swearing off acidifying foods while loading up on alkalizing foods. In theory, inherently acidic processed foods, meats and sweets forces the body's filters to work overtime, and this leaves the body susceptible to illness. "The Alkaline Diet Detox" begins with a two to 10-day cleanse that involves a liquid diet. It is much less restrictive than The Master-Cleanse, and numerous dietary supplements are recommended during the cleansing. The website lists numerous recipes, mainly made from juiced greens and broth, that may also be consumed during the cleansing period.
Medical professionals in general are quick to dismiss the majority of detox diets, citing a lack of scientific proof of their benefits. However, many who have fought through the "detox flu" stage of their diets report health benefits ranging from clearer skin to greater mental clarity. It seems intuitive that allowing toxins to leave the body without replenishing them would certainly have benefits. There are countless detox diet plans other than the above-listed, and many do not require fasting or near equivalents of fasting. Be sure to shop around for a detox diet plan that sounds reasonable, because there are as many, or more, bad diets available as there are good ones. Definitely consider a well-rounded diet high in protein, fiber and antioxidants following a detox regimen. Most importantly, always consult a physician before beginning a new diet, detox or otherwise. Some detox diet plans may be harmful for dieters who already suffer from heart, lung or kidney problems.
Sources:
"Cleansing the Body – The Transition – 4 Detox Diet Cleanse Recipes." Detox.net.au. 2005. 29 Oct. 2007. http://www.detox.net.au/Cleansing-body-transition- Detox-Diet-Cleanse-Recipes.htm.
"The Cayenne, Maple Syrup and Lemon Cleanse." Detox.net.au. 2005. 30 Oct. 2007. http://www.detox.net.au/Cleansing-body-transition- Detox-Diet-Cleanse-Recipes.htm.
"Detox Diet: How to Detox Safely." Healthierlife.com.uk – Remedies. 10 Sept. 2004. 29 Oct. 2007. http://www.thehealthierlife.co.uk/article/3023/det ox-diet.html.
"Detox and Cleanse." Energise for Life. 2005. 29 Oct. 2007. http://www.energiseforlife.com/detox-guide.php.
Sine, Richard. "Detox Diets: Purging the Myths." WebMD.com. 11 Sept. 2006. 29 Oct. 2007. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/detox-d iets-purging-myths.
The ingestion of toxins from air, food and water is a fact of life. Fortunately, human biology is designed to filter out body toxins through the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver and gastrointestinal tract. Detox diets assist these organs through a short-term regimen of dietary prescriptions and restrictions. Sometimes these regimens go beyond diet specifications and recommend laxatives and exotic enemas to assist in the cleansing of toxins. In theory, dieters should have a general improvement in their health with an improved resistance to common maladies. Weight may be lost during the course of the detox diet; however, such diets are intended to cleanse the body of toxins, and any loss of weight should be considered incidental.
One detox diet, "The Master-Cleanse," is also known as "The Lemonade Diet." The diet was conceived by nutritionist Stanley Burroughs and involves the consumption of a concoction containing lemon-water, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. The dieter will consume this recipe, and only this, for a minimum of 10 days. The only warranted variance from the detox diet plan is a laxative-herbal tea. The likely side effects from the diet occur when dieters are not using the bathroom enough. In such cases, the body toxins have been released from storage but have failed to exit. The potential side effects of the detox diet are generally unpleasant. Side effects include headaches, fatigue, nausea and skin irritations, all of which are commonly referred to as "detox flu." Side effects may also be experienced with other detox regimens, and they can be lessened with the proper preparation.
The symptoms of "detox flu" may be alleviated through a pre-diet regimen high in protein, fiber and antioxidants. Foods high in carbohydrates should be avoided during the pre-detox session, which should last at least a month. After this period the body should be better prepared to deal with the shock of the detox diet. The organs responsible for cleansing body toxins should have built up enough of the proper enzymes to maintain their functions during the detox, reducing or eliminating episodes of "detox flu."
Of course, there are other detox diet plans less intense than The Master-Cleanse. Energiseforlife.com offers a detox routine that actually allows the dieter to eat. Their detox requires swearing off acidifying foods while loading up on alkalizing foods. In theory, inherently acidic processed foods, meats and sweets forces the body's filters to work overtime, and this leaves the body susceptible to illness. "The Alkaline Diet Detox" begins with a two to 10-day cleanse that involves a liquid diet. It is much less restrictive than The Master-Cleanse, and numerous dietary supplements are recommended during the cleansing. The website lists numerous recipes, mainly made from juiced greens and broth, that may also be consumed during the cleansing period.
Medical professionals in general are quick to dismiss the majority of detox diets, citing a lack of scientific proof of their benefits. However, many who have fought through the "detox flu" stage of their diets report health benefits ranging from clearer skin to greater mental clarity. It seems intuitive that allowing toxins to leave the body without replenishing them would certainly have benefits. There are countless detox diet plans other than the above-listed, and many do not require fasting or near equivalents of fasting. Be sure to shop around for a detox diet plan that sounds reasonable, because there are as many, or more, bad diets available as there are good ones. Definitely consider a well-rounded diet high in protein, fiber and antioxidants following a detox regimen. Most importantly, always consult a physician before beginning a new diet, detox or otherwise. Some detox diet plans may be harmful for dieters who already suffer from heart, lung or kidney problems.
Sources:
"Cleansing the Body – The Transition – 4 Detox Diet Cleanse Recipes." Detox.net.au. 2005. 29 Oct. 2007. http://www.detox.net.au/Cleansing-body-transition- Detox-Diet-Cleanse-Recipes.htm.
"The Cayenne, Maple Syrup and Lemon Cleanse." Detox.net.au. 2005. 30 Oct. 2007. http://www.detox.net.au/Cleansing-body-transition- Detox-Diet-Cleanse-Recipes.htm.
"Detox Diet: How to Detox Safely." Healthierlife.com.uk – Remedies. 10 Sept. 2004. 29 Oct. 2007. http://www.thehealthierlife.co.uk/article/3023/det ox-diet.html.
"Detox and Cleanse." Energise for Life. 2005. 29 Oct. 2007. http://www.energiseforlife.com/detox-guide.php.
Sine, Richard. "Detox Diets: Purging the Myths." WebMD.com. 11 Sept. 2006. 29 Oct. 2007. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/detox-d iets-purging-myths.
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