Detox Bliss

There’s a lot of literature on detox diets and their health benefits, but it can be quite difficult to tell whether detox diets are legitimate or not. Perhaps the best advertising available are the testimonies of actual people who have tried these detox diets themselves. Don’t just jump in and try the first fad diet that you read in the paper.

It is said that detox diets aim to release the toxins and harmful substances that have accumulated in your body over time. We get these from most of the food we eat, the beverages we drink, and the air we breathe, and this is why detox diets have to be administered regularly.

Apart from this benefit, detox diets promote water intake. Water is important in the proper functioning of our systems and is indispensable in the excretory system. You will notice that programs encourage high-fiber diets in order to remove unwanted substances through regular bowel movement. As we urinate, we are also eliminating these toxins, and consumption of water in large amounts is common in detox diets.

With all these pluses, you’d somehow think – are there any disadvantages to detox diets? Actually, there are a few, and it pays to know them before you embark on a plan of your own. Detox diets can be dangerous for people with certain illnesses, so it’s best to consult your doctor of the appropriateness of your diet.

It’s also known to be addicting. Although it’s true that many people turn their backs on detox diets when they feel the persistent cravings for junk food and carbonated sodas, many people also feel as if they can survive on fruits and vegetables alone even after the prescribed period for the program is over.

Another myth perpetuated about detox diets is that all one has to do is have laxatives prescribed to him to make way for a thorough system cleansing. This is far from the truth, because the overuse of laxatives can cause dehydration, chemical imbalances, and digestive problems and could be lethal if not checked.

An important part of the detoxification process is fasting. This is alright if done over a short period of time, but extended fasting can make you dehydrated and can cause your muscles to atrophy.

Remember, extreme fasting can make you lose not just fat but also atrophy your muscles, so you’re not supposed to stick to detox diets forever. Furthermore, since dairy products are disallowed in detox diets, we won’t be able to replenish the calcium we miss from not drinking milk and milk by-products.

In the long run, there will be a great possibility that our bones would get brittle due to lack of this important mineral. Thus, cleansing is only done occasionally and only when you know your body can handle it.

Weight loss is another contested aspect of detox diets. While many people have definitely lost weight in a short time with detox diets, whatever weight loss that comes out of program is temporary when the person goes back to the old ways of binging and snacking.