Diet Trends

» Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Detox diets

I wanted to comment on some of the views expressed in your recent article about "detox diets." While I agree that "detox diets" can be problematic for people who are on them exclusively to lose weight, cleansing does have benefits (one of which is usually weight loss) WHEN DONE CORRECTLY.

In my experience, people who experience the symptoms you describe, or who fall into anorexic behavior or yoyo dieting after/during cleansing, are not cleansing correctly for their bodies. Under these circumstances, a cleanse can be harmful. This is why I always recommend supervision by a naturopath or holistic therapist during a cleanse.

You said, "these fad diets require that you give up sweets, carbs and protein for a defined length of time, usually between 1 and 10 days."

In fact, some of the most successful cleanses at removing toxins from the body don't require a substantial change in your diet - see my recent article Cleansing with Supplements.

You also said, "The focus of detox diets is to drink a lot and eat very little to cleanse the body and rid toxins to lose weight more quickly."

Again, this is a false belief based on a very few real cleanses (as opposed to fad diets promoting themselves as cleanses) that are conducted this way. Most cleanses involve eating a slightly modified diet - or your usual diet - while working with herbs, supplements, and treatments that gradually and gently help the body to release toxins.

People who are overweight need to be especially careful while cleansing, and should almost never go on the kind of extreme detox you describe. I believe education about the various types and aspects of cleansing is important so that people can find the cleanse that will be of most benefit to them - and so people realize that cleansing is a solution for some, but not ideal for everyone.

For more on cleansing, see What is Cleansing?

» Tracy Rose - Detox diets

Victoria,

Thank you for the detailed post about natural and effective ways to detox. As you pointed out, I am referring to the fad diets that require extreme calorie reduction that comes close to fasting.

Most often an overweight person will not talk to their doctor about doing it because they know they won't get the approval for it. The typical response from a doctor is to exercise more and follow a low-fat diet. They will often recommend a diet based on the food pyramid or one used for those with Diabetes.

Perhaps with the help of a holistic therapist, a detox cleanse is a healthier way to go, but I would not advise a detox diet for an overweight person who is trying it at home after reading the latest fad diet book.

» Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Detox diets

I very much appreciate your thoughtful response.

There has been a lot of recent media backlash against cleansing, so I felt I had to comment when I saw your article. I absolutely agree that anyone attempting to cleanse for the first time should do so under supervision of a health care practitioner.

I believe this is the case whether or not the person in question is overweight. Regardless of health or level of fitness, a book can never tell you all you need to know to do a cleanse for the first time!

Thanks again and best wishes,