Not too long ago, the only people who went on a detox diet or a cleanse were celebrities and the trend-obsessed folk.
These days, everyone knows someone who has tried one.
So, you’re either someone who believes detoxing is complete hocus-pocus or is an ardent advocate of the same.
The big question is, are detox diets good for you?
What is a detox?
When it comes to a detox diet, there’s no universal definition.
However, typically these protocols include certain foods, juices, teas, or colonics – while eliminating others. Some consider detox regimes to consist of nothing at all e.g. fasts.
These claim to help the body “get rid of toxins”
But, there’s an obvious problem with this line of thinking.
In the case of drugs – you’re trying to eliminate damaging substances from the body. But, when it comes to a detox diet, what, exactly, are we trying to eliminate from the body?
Truth be told, most things are “toxic” at some level. Yet, the body is perfectly capable of cleansing itself.
Our major organs of detoxification include the digestive tract, kidneys, skin, lungs, liver, lymphatic system, and respiratory system.
These systems break down compounds into other forms that we can eliminate via the toilet, sweat, or breathing. The body seems to do a pretty good job of this when placed in a balanced (i.e. healthy) environment.
So why detox?
We put a lot of stuff in/on our bodies each day and don’t always use our bodies correctly.
- We overuse medications.
- We don’t sleep enough.
- We overuse chemicals on our skin.
- We don’t get enough movement.
- We over-consume alcohol.
- We smoke.
- We breathe in environmental pollutants
- We eat nutrient-poor foods
But, just because other people cleanse doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. In fact, I can say the following with confidence:
Detoxing to lose body fat is a poor idea.
Any weight loss from a detox diet is probably water, carbohydrate stores, and intestinal bulk — all of which come back in a few hours after the detox ends.
What to do next?
We need to switch over to a different way of looking at health: supporting and nourishing the body, not purifying. You’ll be way better off if you start supporting the body to work, circulate, and rest, so your natural detox system can do its thing.
The answer is to add in nourishment, not take out foods.
For instance, if you feel your digestion needs help, can you add in probiotic foods instead of restricting them? If you feel like you need or crave more greens, why not just add them to a meal instead of going on a juice cleanse?
It's crucial to understand that adopting a "less is more" approach doesn't always yield the best outcomes. In many cases, "less" truly equates to "less."
You actually need lots of variety and calories to really support your health, your detoxing, your repairing, your hormonal health, your bones, your muscles, your brain, and you're moving through this world. Start nourishing, and let it mean whatever it means to you.
Looking to co-create a lifestyle that supports overall good health with proper nutrition, exercise, and supplements? We can help!