“You have heard about detoxing the body and getting rid of toxins a million times. Most often - from "experts" in women's magazines and on sites about a healthy lifestyle. In the articles, the authors unanimously argue that the body needs to be cleansed (and here they are right) from toxins (and here they are heresy). The fact is that the concepts of “slags” and “detox” are completely unscientific, the processes of “detoxification” are ineffective, and sometimes they can do harm.

Doctors will simply laugh at you if you ask how to get rid of toxins in the body. "The natural way!" This is a natural mechanism for getting rid of toxins, in other words - go to the toilet. That is, the body cannot simply be taken and cleaned, like a bag of a vacuum cleaner, from accumulated debris (harmful substances). No detox diets will help here, because ...

Detox Diets Are a Myth Made Up by Marketers

As a rule, special diets for detoxification are advertised by stars. It can also be ready-made cocktails, sets of dry or liquid "super products" that supposedly rid the body of accumulated toxins. Moreover, they promise a noticeable effect in a couple of days - a general feeling of lightness, freshness, rejuvenated skin. For example, one of the popular detox diets is a cocktail that you can make at home from water with lemon juice and with the addition of a bit of syrup and hot pepper. In this case, food consumption must either be significantly reduced, or even reduced to zero, the duration of “detoxification” is from 3 to 10 days.

Promises: skin lightening, strengthening hair and nails, weight loss, release of toxins and free radicals. Reality: Serious effects on the stomach associated with prolonged exposure to an acidic environment without the necessary nutrition, weight loss due to sudden fasting and subsequent weight gain. The benefits of such a diet, frankly, are so-so.

Other “body detox” diets are little different from “kill your stomach in just 10 days” cocktails. Their components most often aggressively affect the digestive system, drinks include acidic substances: vinegar, citrus juice, an abundance of coffee. From food, this is usually fruits and raw vegetables. A raw food diet is generally not harmful, but a sudden transition to an extreme diet can also be dangerous. Another risk is to stop getting the necessary amount of proteins and fats for your usual life, and instead of the promised ease, you will get fatigued quickly.

A one-day program of light "detoxification" can be arranged, but you should not drink vinegar. This will not get rid of toxins, but it may even be useful for metabolism. Detox programs do not have a long-term effect. Toxins are removed from the body in more complex ways, lemon water will not correct the situation. However, this is understandable even from the terminology, since toxins are poisons of biological origin.

Our body itself knows how to get rid of such toxic substances. For example, the kidneys, liver and intestines do this every day, and toxins are excreted in the urine and feces. At this time, the liver itself prepares “detox cocktails” from enzymes and other substances that neutralize poisons and help them leave the body faster. If the liver, kidneys and intestines cease to cope with their functions, you need a hepatologist, nephrologist and gastroenterologist, and not water with lemon juice.

As for the medical profession, just like with “slags”, you are unlikely to be understood if you start talking about “body detox programs”. Official medicine knows only one type of detox - with the help of a dropper or drugs that are injected into a vein. It helps rid the body of drugs, alcohol, and other real toxins. In addition, it relieves symptoms of withdrawal from potent substances (also called "withdrawal"). There is no scientific basis for "detox diets", it's all pure commerce.

The intestines cannot be cleaned with a brush, this is not a pipe with a blockage of “slags”. And this is exactly what those who advertise detox programs mistakenly believe. Cholesterol and atherosclerotic plaques are also dangerous to “remove” with an acidic environment - so, of course, you can clear the vessels of them, but along with the plaques, the intestinal microflora and living cells of the body will dissolve. There is no way to influence one of the body systems separately - they are all interconnected.

Thus, the modern understanding of the “detox diet” is more about proper nutrition. Something that will help the body to work properly and will not cause harm. Nutritionists believe that the advertised "detox programs" contain either outright harmful substances, or these are ordinary healthy diets that they try to sell you at exorbitant prices. At the same time, the relative benefit from them can really be - the placebo effect works.

Elements of detox diets should still be included in the diet, but you should not copy articles from magazines. Remember that popular programs can do more harm than good. What to take from the "detox"? More vegetables, fruits, vegetables do not have to be raw. Add to this fiber, protein, "correct" fats and carbohydrates - you get a dream diet.

 

Another danger associated with detox is detox retreats or detox tours. Such travel and practices can be especially dangerous if you already have digestive health issues. You can always stop using "detox foods" or these shakes if you suddenly feel unwell. But this is at home. And during tours or retreats, it will be difficult for you, firstly, to refuse something for which you have already paid a round sum, and secondly, help simply may not be around.

We hope we've convinced you not to believe all the marketing tales that start with the word "detox". Try to eat right and do fitness, then you will definitely not be tempted by any antioxidants from bright bottles and strange drinks made from vinegar.

 

 

Denis Bets