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TRAINERS » Nutrition
A New Year... Time to
BY NANCI S. GUEST
Not so fast…
Should you embark on a “detoxifying”
diet after your holiday indulgences? The promise of weight loss, increased energy and a greater sense of well-being is always intriguing. But, of course, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. The truth: Detox diets are marketing myths and not nutritionally-sound reality.
What is a Detox Diet?
Detox diets play into the popular myth that harmful substances in our food and environment build up in our bod- ies and cause negative health effects like obesity, fatigue, headaches and even disease. True, we are exposed to many toxins. But eating well and less- ening our exposure is how we reduce risk, not through fad “cleanses.” The typical detox diet lasts from one day to one month and may involve one or more of the following: • fasting for short periods of time • taking special herbs (often laxatives) or other supplements
• consuming only liquids or purees • consuming only fruits and vegetables
• cutting out wheat and/or dairy foods • consuming a limited range of foods • avoiding caffeine and alcohol
40 Fitness Business Canada January/February 2009
How does a Detox Diet work?
MYTH:
Following a special liquid diet, eating specific foods and/or taking certain herbs will rid your body of the harm- ful waste and toxins that are built up in your intestines. Giving the intes- tines and digestive processes a break allows for rejuvenation and lets them rebuild and repair. You will also shed extra pounds in the process!
FACT:
The liver, the body’s key detoxifying organ, does a terrific job of cleansing the body on its own. The kidneys as- sist and, to a lesser degree, the lungs and skin. One of the most poisonous chemi-
cals that many people encounter is alcohol. However, if you drink even
an almost lethal dose of alcohol (which I don’t recommend!) your liv- er will clear it from your body in 36 hours without assistance from spe- cial foods or herbs. The liver has a remarkable capacity to detoxify any harmful substances that we ingest.
Possible Harmful Effects of Detox Diets
Our digestive systems do not need a break (and, for the record, they still have to work to digest fruits, vegeta- bles and any calorie-containing liq- uid). An all-liquid diet lacking in key nutrients over more than a day or two can actually impair the body’s natu- ral ability to repair and rebuild itself. In addition, the production of diges- tive enzymes slows due to lack of food presence stimulation. Often when resuming normal food
DETOX?
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