Different types of detox regimens, therapies, and diets – sometimes called cleanses or detoxification – have been suggested as ways to take out toxins from people’s bodies, promote health, or lose weight. Detox programs may involve different approaches or a single process. These include:
Cleansing the lower intestinal tract with laxatives, colon hydrotherapy, or enemas
Using dietary supplements and other commercial products
Drinking juices and similar beverages
Eating only particular types of foods
Minimizing environmental exposures
Using saunas
Using herbs
Fasting
These treatment programs may be offered at health clinics, advertised commercially, or can be part of a Naturopathic treatment program. Some detoxification plans can be falsely advertised or unsafe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chelation therapy, a kind of chemical detox procedure for removing toxic metals from our body in serious cases, is one of the best treatment methods available on the market today. But this article will not address this kind of detoxification.
What do the studies say about these things?
There have been some studies on detoxification programs. While some of these treatments have had good results on fat and weight loss, blood pressure, and insulin resistance, these studies have been of low quality because of few participants, lack of reviews, or evaluation by experts to make sure the quality of care, or design issues.
According to a 2015 study, there was no convincing research to support the use of detoxification diets for eliminating toxins in our body or weight management. In a 2017 research, detoxification diets and juicing can cause an initial weight loss due to low intake of calories, but they can lead to weight gain once an individual resume their normal diet. There has been no recent research on the long-term effects of these programs.
What about people’s safety?
The United States Food and Drug Administration, as well as the Federal Trade Commission, have taken the necessary action against some organizations selling cleansing or detox products because they contained illegal or possible harmful ingredients; were marketed using flawed or erroneous claims that they could treat various diseases or were marketed for unapproved therapeutic uses.
To find out more about the FDA, click https://www.drugwatch.com/fda to find out more.
Some juices used in cleansing that have not been treated or pasteurized in ways to kill dangerous and damaging bacteria can make individuals sick. The illnesses can be pretty serious in elderly individuals, people with weak immune systems, or children. Some of these juices are made from ingredients with high oxalate levels. Two examples of foods high in oxalate are beets and spinach.
Consuming large quantities of these things can increase the risk of well-being issues like kidney problems. Individuals with diabetes need to follow eating plans recommended by their physicians or health care team. If they have diabetes, people need to consult their physicians before making changes in their eating habits, like going on a detoxifying diet or changing their eating patterns.
Diets that restrict calories or the kinds of food people eat usually do not lead to long-term weight loss and may not provide the necessary nutrients. Colon cleansing processes may have side effects, some with serious implications. Harmful effects are more likely in individuals with histories of colon surgery, gastrointestinal diseases, heart problems, kidney diseases, or severe hemorrhoids.
Detox programs may include the consumption of laxatives, which can cause severe diarrhea complications enough to lead to electrolyte imbalances and severe dehydration. Drinking large quantities of herbal teas and water, as well as not eating any type of food for many days could lead to severe electrolyte imbalances.
People need to take charge of their health. They should talk with their well-being care professional about complementary health approaches they use, such as any forms of cleanses and detoxes. Together with their health care providers, they can make well-informed and shared decisions.
Are all fasting regimen considered cleanses and detoxes?
Although some of these programs are advertised with detox claims, other fasting plans like intermittent or periodic fasting are being studied for disease prevention, well-being promotion, improved aging, or some cases of weight loss. But there is no conclusive result about their therapeutic effects on people’s health. Not only that, but fasting can also cause fainting, headaches, dehydration, and the body weakness.
This article provided this material for everyone’s information. It is not intended to replace the medical expertise or healthcare professional advice. We still encourage individuals to discuss their decisions about proper care or treatment with their physician or health care professionals.