Celebrities like Beyoncé Giselle Knowles, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore and zillion others have all tried the quick detoxification methods. Of all the methods of fasting and detoxification, the Master Cleanse diet has been popular. These fasts would last up to a minimum of 10 days and would include nothing but water, fresh lemon juice coupled with maple syrup and a pinch of cayenne pepper. But, are all these methods the right way to flush out the toxins from the body?
The Theory of Detox Diets
Each day our body is exposed to loads of toxins. The source of the toxins can be smoking, passive smoking, caffeine, air pollution, alcohol, pesticides and even artificial sweeteners. And, when these toxins become excess in the body, they would lead to constant headaches, fatigue and chronic diseases. In order to get rid of these problems, the detox diets come into the picture. These detox diets are believed to cleanse the body from the toxins and at the same time prepare the body to fight back future toxins. Sadly, this theory is just on paper and there are no scientific facts to prove their credential.
Can the Detox Diets be Toxic?
Not all know that our bodies are perfectly capable of eliminating all the toxins on its own. Well, one of the main functions of the liver is to cleanse the body and flush out all the toxins through the urine. This is the perfect example of the body’s ability of cleanse on its own. But, the body’s organs need a break too, too much toxins too much working. So, make it easier for your body by quitting smoking, take less carbonated beverages and caffeine and reduce your alcohol consumption. These simple things can totally be effective.
Fasting has always been a major part of several religious rituals. However, when it comes to spiritual fasting, it has never been extreme. It is usually done for a shorter periods of time and at the same time food can be consumed at a particular time of the day. Spiritual fasting does not cause any problems. On the other hand, prolonged fasting comes along with a lot of problems.
During a prolonged fast, once the fast is broken, it won’t take long to regain the reduced weight. The weight reduction happens because the body is deprived from nutrients, and since there is loss of water and salt, the body will break down the muscle but not fat and use it for energy. The detox diet will lead to the loss of minerals, vitamins and electrolytes. And, these would lead to nutritional deficiencies, difficulty in concentration and weakness. Prolonged fasting can be dangerous for people with medical conditions like heart diseases, diabetes or even for pregnant women.
Children, teenagers and of course adults need to follow a healthy diet. Including fruit juices or even coconut water in one’s balanced food plan can be acceptable. However, when a person is healthy and forgoes eating healthy food rich in vitamins, nutrients and minerals for prolonged periods of time, then it is viewed as an toxic suggestion.
