The detox debate

To detox or not to detox…it’s a question more and more people are debating these days.  The popularity of detox kits has grown exponentially in the last few years.  Nutrition House, Canada’s largest nutrition change, sold more than $1.5 million of them over the past two years.

Supporters of detox say it gives you more energy, helps fight off disease, and also aids in weight loss.

But here’s the bottom line:  there is NO hard medical proof that detoxing has any physiological benefit.  In fact, doctors say a healthy liver is perfectly capable of getting rid of toxins all on its own.  And detox regimes and kits can even be harmful to certain people.  A recent study by a group of British experts calls detox kits “a waste of money”.

Here are some of the different types of detox regimes:

Intestinal cleansing: Kits typically include a high-fiber supplement, a “support” supplement containing herbs or enzymes, a laxative to be used daily, and enemas. The aim is to eradicate parasites and expel fecal matter that allegedly adheres to the intestinal walls.

Foot detox: One method employs a special type of adhesive pad worn on the bottoms of the feet during sleep. Another approach is to immerse the feet for 30 minutes in an “ionic foot bath,” containing salt water and two electrodes that supply a low-voltage electric charge. Both methods claim to stimulate the outflow of toxins through the feet. However, there is no scientific evidence that ionic changes in the environment can stimulate a discharge of toxins through the feet—or any other part of the body.

Detox diets (ex Master Cleanse): A seemingly infinite array of diets is available for detoxifying the whole body. However, studies have shown that fasting and extremely low calorie intake—common elements of detox diets—cause a slowdown of metabolism and an increase in weight after the dieter returns to normal eating.

Dietitians say getting your body into a healtheir state is simple: drink more water, eat more fresh fruits and veggies and cut down on fat and sugar.