What is Detox ?

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Detox, short for detoxification, is the body's natural, ongoing process of neutralizing and eliminating toxins.

Toxins are substances that can potentially harm body tissue, such as waste products that result from normal cell activity (like ammonia, lactic acid, and homocysteine) and chemicals that we are exposed to in our environment, food, and water.

The liver, intestines, kidneys, lungs, skin, blood, and lymphatic systems work together to transform toxins to less harmful compounds and excrete them from the body.

Although detox is primarily thought of as a treatment for alcohol or drug dependence, the term is also used to refer to a short-term diet that proponents claim can facilitate toxin removal and promote weight loss.

Minimize the amount of chemicals ingested (for example, by eating organic food).

Emphasize foods that provide the vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that the body needs for detoxification.

Emphasize foods, such as fiber-rich foods and water, that increase the frequency of bowel movements and urination.

What you can and can't eat depends on the particular detox diet. Some involve juicing or drinking liquids. Others allow some foods, such as fruits and vegetables, or include a broader range of foods.

Some research suggests that many of the chemicals we ingest daily through food, water, and air can become deposited in fat cells in our bodies.

Toxins include pesticides, antibiotics and hormones in food, chemicals from food packaging, household cleaners, detergents, food additives, heavy metals, pollution, drugs, and cigarette smoke.

Proponents claim that the cumulative load, called the "body burden", may lead to illness and has been linked to hormonal imbalance, impaired immune function, and nutritional deficiencies.

Signs are said to include indigestion, poor concentration, tiredness, headaches, bad breath, poor skin, and muscle pain.

Although detox diets are popular diet plans, there have been very few clinical trials to support the use of these diets.

Preliminary research suggests that certain foods and substances may have properties that aid detoxification, but most of the research is animal- or laboratory-based.

Some people find that focusing on new vegetable-based recipes, drinking water, exercising, and reducing their stress levels during the diet helps them to make positive, sustainable diet and lifestyle changes.

If you're considering a detox diet, speak to your healthcare provider to weigh the pros and cons and discuss whether it's appropriate for you (it may be harmful to people with certain conditions, such as diabetes).

Pregnant or nursing women or children shouldn't go on a detox diet. The diet is not intended for alcohol or drug detoxification.

Fatigue, indigestion, cough, muscle pain, and poor sleep can be signs of an underlying medical condition.

If you have persistent symptoms, it's important to see your primary care provider to ensure that the symptoms are not due to a condition that requires medical treatment.  

Detoxification is what your body does naturally to neutralize, transform or get rid of unwanted materials or toxins. It is a primary function of the body, constantly working and interacting with all other functions of the body.

So when I am talking about detoxification, it is about improving and optimizing the function of your body’s own detoxification systems.

Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.

This is done by decreasing the amount of toxins we put into our bodies while at the same time supporting our body’s detoxification and elimination systems with the nutrients it needs to function properly.

The side effects depend on the plan and how long you are on it. You may feel hungry and weak, or have low energy, low blood sugar, dizziness, or lightheadedness.