What’s the Deal with Detox Diets?

Many people are often talking about wanting to do a detox, or a “cleanse,” in their diet. But our bodies already naturally detoxify on their own.  

How the Body Naturally Detoxifies 

The body goes through a process called detoxification where it utilizes important nutrients from our diet. It helps transform toxins so they can be removed from the body. There are two main categories of toxins: those made in the body during regular metabolism and those that come from outside the body through eating, drinking, breathing, or even absorbed through the skin.  

Toxins the body produces include lactic acid, urea, and waste products from microbes in the gut. Pesticides, mercury from seafood, lead from air pollution and car exhaust, chemicals from tobacco products, and drugs and alcohol are all forms of external toxins. The detoxification pathway is also used in the metabolism of medications.  

Toxins can be dangerous to human health, so they need to be transformed and excreted through the forms of urine, feces, sweat or respiration. Every person has a different ability to detoxify, and it mostly depends on diet, health status, lifestyle, genetics, and environment. However, if the amount of toxins that an individual is exposed to exceeds their ability to excrete them, the toxins will then be stored in fat cells, soft tissue and bone, all of which will negatively affect health.  

Many programs for detoxification include removing highly processed foods from the diet and foods that cause sensitivity such as dairy, gluten, eggs, red meat, and peanuts. These programs also push for the consumption of organically grown fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, lean protein, and whole non-glutenous grains. Some programs may recommend fasting, but this could be a risky route to take, and it may suppress the detoxification pathways in the body.  

            It is important to note that detoxification programs can cause risks for those who have health problems, eating disorders, are pregnant or breast feeding, or who take multiple medications.  

Ways to Support Your Body’s Natural Detox 

Detoxification support does not need an elaborate and rigorous plan, and by following some of these steps, you can help your body’s natural detox process:  

• Stay hydrated with clean drinking water. 
• Consume 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. 
• Consume dietary fiber each day from vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seeds, and nuts to help maintain bowel regularity. 
• Consume an adequate amount of lean protein, which is critical to maintain optimum amino acid levels which act as detoxifying enzymes. 
• Talk to a health care provider or registered dietitian nutritionist about taking multivitamins and multiminerals.  
• Eat natural fermented food such as yogurt and sauerkraut to help promote a healthy gut. 

 

Source: https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/diet-trends/whats-the-deal-with-detox-diets