Are detox diets good for health?

Recently a lot of websites are talking about detox diets. They says detox diets help eliminate toxins causing everything such as headaches, bloating, joints pain, fatigue, depression, weight loss, chronic diseases and so forth. I will tell you the conclusion at first that some are not effective, sometimes even harmful and some are similar to my diet plan.

1. Master Cleanse Diet or Lemonade Diet is one of the most popular detox diets. Dieters take a quart of warm salt water in the morning; consume a 60-ounce concoction of water, lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper throughout the day; and finish with a cup of laxative tea in the evening. They recommend for at least 10 days. However, no medical data on this diet. It causes weight loss due to fluid loss and low carbohydrate intake, and frequent bowel movements or diarrhea. When the dieter goes back to normal fluid intake, the weight loss is quickly back. It may cause excessive acidity in the blood. Severe metabolic acidosis can lead to coma, and even death.

2. Intestinal cleansing: many kits are on market; Most of them include a high-fiber supplement and a support supplement containing herbs or enzymes, and a laxative tea for daily use; They recommend the regimen for several weeks; The purpose is to remove parasites and fecal matter accumulating in the intestinal walls; No medical evidence although milk thistle in supportive supplement may help liver function; There is a risk of dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, impaired bowel function, and disruption of intestinal flora.

3. Martha's Vineyard Detox Diet: It was created by Roni DeLuz, RN; She says you can lose 21 pounds in 21 days; The diet is to drink liquids every 2 hours including water, homemade soups, juices made from fruits and vegetables, and powdered antioxidant berry and green drinks; Nutritionists point out that it is lacking in essential protein, fat, and fiber, which could be dangerous; This means it can lead to muscle wasting and compromising immune function. To see the detail of the diet, click here.

Don't go on detox diets above and they are very risky especially if you have diabetes, low blood sugar, eating disorders, heart conditions, and chronic conditions as well as you are children, teens, seniors, pregnant or breast-feeding women.

4. Foot detox: There are two methods; One is an adhesive pad worn on the bottoms of the feet during sleep; Another one called ionic foot bath is to immerse the feet for 30 minutes in a basin containing salt water and two electrodes supplying a low-voltage electric charge; They say it draws toxins out of the body through the soles of the feet; No scientific evidence. No risks.

5. Liver Cleansing Diet: More water, less alcohol and caffeine, less fat and animal proteins, fewer refined and processed foods, more healthful, whole, plant-based foods; This diet is similar to what I mentioned in my website; I don't think it is necessary to dare to say it as Liver Cleansing Diet.

6. Fat Flush or Fat Smash Diet was created by Ian K. Smith, MD and used on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club. It is similar to my diet plan. Click the highlight for the detail.

7. Raw Food Diet: The diet is to eat plant foods in their most natural state (uncooked and unprocessed); It is a lifestyle choice, but not a weight loss plan; It is not easy to stick to a raw food; It is rich in nutrients; It's full of fiber and low in fat and sugar; But raw foodists, along with vegans, need to make sure they're getting enough vitamin B12, calcium, iron, and omega-3, most of which are found naturally in animal products; Click here for the detail of this diet.