Photo: Jill Burrow

Do you still eat when detoxing?

Most detoxification programs recommend removing highly processed foods and foods to which some people are sensitive, such as dairy, gluten, eggs, peanuts and red meat. They also recommend eating mostly organically grown vegetables, fruit, whole non-glutenous grains, nuts, seeds and lean protein.

eatright.org - What's the Deal with Detox Diets? - Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Is Mayo OK for diabetics?

Yes, a person with diabetes can eat mayonnaise. Mayonnaise has less than a single gram of carbohydrates per tablespoon. But with 10 grams of total...

Last updated Mar 13, 2021

Does V8 help immune system?

Our Nutrients Vitamin C – an antioxidant that's important for your skin, bones, collagen production and helps support your immune system. Lycopene...

Last updated May 27, 2018

Tasty breakfast juice melts 59lbs of wobbly fat

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

It seems everyone is talking about "detox" or considering a "cleanse." Detox diets often are misunderstood — especially since your body already comes equipped with a detoxification system. Understanding how detox works may help clear up some confusion.

How the Body Naturally Detoxifies

Detoxification is a process that the body performs around the clock utilizing important nutrients from the diet. It's the process that transforms toxins so they can be removed from the body. They fall into two main categories: toxins that are made in the body during regular metabolism, and those that come from outside the body and are introduced by eating, drinking, breathing or are absorbed through the skin. Toxins that are produced in the body include lactic acid, urea and waste products from microbes in the gut. External toxins may include pesticides, mercury in seafood, lead from car exhaust and air pollution, chemicals in tobacco products and drugs or alcohol. Detoxification also uses the process by which medications are metabolized and removed from the body. Because toxins are potentially dangerous to human health, they need to be transformed and excreted through urine, feces, respiration or sweat. Each person's ability to detoxify varies and is influenced by environment, diet, lifestyle, health status and genetic factors, suggesting some people may require more detoxification support than others. But if the amount of toxins to which a person is exposed exceeds his or her body's ability to excrete them, the toxins may be stored in fat cells, soft tissue and bone, negatively affecting health. This is the rationale behind the use of practices that support the body's own detoxification capabilities, but more research is needed. Most detoxification programs recommend removing highly processed foods and foods to which some people are sensitive, such as dairy, gluten, eggs, peanuts and red meat. They also recommend eating mostly organically grown vegetables, fruit, whole non-glutenous grains, nuts, seeds and lean protein. Other programs recommend fasting, a potentially risky practice for some people, which may actually suppress detoxification pathways in the body. This is why many health practitioners advise against this practice. Many noncredentialed people claim to be experts in detoxification; however, there is a lack of research at this time to support its use. Plus, detoxification programs can vary widely and may pose a risk for some people (such as people with health problems, those with eating disorders, those who take multiple medications, and pregnant or breastfeeding women).

8 Ways to Support Your Body's Natural Detox

Detoxification support doesn't need to consist of a rigorous plan; doing some or all of the following can support your body's natural detoxification:

Stay hydrated with clean water.

Eat five to nine servings of fruit and vegetables per day.

Consume dietary fiber each day from vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and whole grains to help maintain bowel regularity. Include cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli and Brussels sprouts, berries, artichokes, garlic, onions, leeks and green tea. These support detoxification pathways. Consume adequate amounts of lean protein, which is critical to maintaining optimum levels of glutathione, the body's master detoxification enzyme. Consult your health care provider or registered dietitian nutritionist if you're interested in taking a multivitamin/multimineral to fill any gaps in a healthy diet. Eat naturally fermented foods such as kefir, yogurt, kimchi and sauerkraut — these may help promote a healthy gut. If you have questions about your eating style and its role in supporting the body’s detoxification, check in with a registered dietitian nutritionist. RDNs can provide sound, easy-to-follow personalized nutrition advice to meet your lifestyle, preferences and health-related needs.

What is the difference between a food stylist and a food photographer?

But both have different parts of the overall task. A Food Photographer does the job of capturing the best pictures of the food by arranging the...

Last updated Mar 20, 2020

Can you eat salad on a juice cleanse?

keep it clean. you may eat vegetable broth, carrots, celery, a small raw salad, an apple or a half an avocado. raw nuts are also okay…just a small...

Last updated May 9, 2022

Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

Why do cleanses make you poop?

Whatever your body doesn't absorb from the juices during a cleanse passes into your large intestine, where it is fermented by bacteria. The result is a laxative effect, which some people claim makes them feel lighter and believe is a sign they're eliminating toxins.

gundersenhealth.org - Do juice cleanses really work? - Gundersen Health System

It's tempting to look for a quick fix like a juice cleanse to help you lose weight or jump start healthier eating habits.

Do juice cleanses really help you lose weight?

It's true that you’re likely to lose weight on a juice cleanse, but this is simply because you’re consuming fewer calories. Unfortunately, once you finish a cleanse and resume eating normal meals, you will regain the weight.

Ok, but do juice cleanses eliminate toxins?

Whatever your body doesn’t absorb from the juices during a cleanse passes into your large intestine, where it is fermented by bacteria. The result is a laxative effect, which some people claim makes them feel lighter and believe is a sign they’re eliminating toxins. Unfortunately, consuming fruit and vegetable juice alone means you're missing out on other key nutrients that are essential for the body. The bottom line is that there is no scientific evidence that a juice diet or cleanse removes toxins from your body.

So, are juice cleanses healthy?

Instead of spending money on an expensive juicer, try cleansing your body and mind in a healthier way: keep a food journal for a few days. Writing down everything you eat and drink and rating your hunger and fullness helps you be more aware of whether you’re appropriately fueling your body. A log also helps you identify reasons you might be turning to food even when you’re not physically hungry, and it allows you to make healthier choices more easily. Curious about what other food myths are out there? Here are a couple more we’ve debunked to help you live healthier.

Is carrot juice full of sugar?

Also, they contain more sugar per cup than whole fruits and vegetables. For example, one cup of carrot juice contains 2 g of fiber and 9 g of...

Last updated Jul 21, 2018

Can dogs eat pizza?

If the pizza your dog ate included toppings, there's reason to be concerned. Many common pizza toppings, like onions and garlic, are considered...

Last updated Mar 22, 2019

Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

Is it OK to drink a green smoothie every day?

A green smoothie is definitely nutritious, but a diet consisting of only green smoothies (or any single food) isn't healthful. It has to be...

Last updated Feb 13, 2020

Weird “juice ritual” removes 65lbs in weeks

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

What can I drink for energy?

Healthy Energy Drinks: Delicious and Nutritious Yerba Mate. Yerba mate is a drink that is fast gaining popularity around the world. ... Green Tea....

Last updated Feb 15, 2022