Detox Diet - Part 1 - Health Plus Digest

Detox diet, or detoxification, is thought to be the removal of potentially toxic substances from the body. The term detox is primarily used to describe the treatment for drug or alcohol dependence but it has also come to describe specific diets designed to remove environmental and dietary toxins for the purpose of general health or weight loss.

Before attempting any detoxification diet it is important that an individual be evaluated and get the advice of their healthcare practitioner. Some of the diets currently on the market can cause a worsening of underlying medical conditions or may be contraindicated based on the medications the individual may be currently taking. In either case, the advice of your medical practitioner will probably help to avoid any prolonged or highly negative side effects.

Sources of these toxins can include those produced normally by the body, such as ammonia produced during the break down of protein, or can include chemicals such as pesticides, household cleaners, food additives, drugs, cigarette smoke and heavy metals that enter the body when we ingest or inhale them. There are many different detox diets but most are designed to minimize the amount of chemicals which are ingested, emphasize that foods provide the vitamins and nutrients that the body needs for detoxification and contains foods that are high in fiber and water which draw out and eliminate the toxins by increasing the frequency of bowel movements and urination.

There is a growing body of research that suggests that many of the chemicals we ingest daily through processed foods or our drinking water can become deposited in fat cells in our bodies. A diet that lacks specific nutrients can also impair our natural ability to get rid of those toxins. Some signs of increasing toxicity are thought to include indigestion, muscle pain, fatigue or even poor skin quality.

Resources:

EveryDiet: Detox Diets

http://www.everydiet.org/detox_diet.htm

MayoClinic: Do Detox Diets offer any health Benefits

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/detox-diets/AN01334

Dr Oz: 48 Hour Weekend Cleanse

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/48-hour-weekend-cleanse

CBS News: Do Detox Diets work?

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500165_162-4036502.html