There has been a lot of media reports recently of researchers finding that detox diets are a waste of time and do not get rid of toxins.
Martin Wiseman, visiting professor of human nutrition at the University of Southampton says "The detox fad - or fads, as there are many methods - is an example of the capacity of people to believe in and pay for magic despite the lack of any sound evidence,"
A recent study by British researchers also concluded that detox diets do no more than the body's own natural system to get rid of toxins.
These statements are disputed rigorously by Natural Health Practitioners, Naturopaths, and Doctors who use detox programs in their successful treatments of people with chronic health problems.
After all detoxification is one of the the oldest and most effective healing methods know to man. Some of the greatest physicians in history including Hippocrates, Galen, Paracelsus prescribed it.
So let us look at the research that prompted headlines that claimed body detox did not work. Firstly, the researchers tested only 10 subjects after only 7 days on a specific detox plan. Now I ask you. Does this seem logical to you? Do you really think that all those toxins that we store in our bodies would be reduced after just 7 days.No of course not. The idea is just too ridiculous.
Secondly, the liver and kidney tests were very limited in what was measured and they were all normal to begin with so it was hardly surprising that there was no improvement after 7 days.
There are some specialized laboratories that test liver detoxification capabilities. These test can show problems with liver detoxification pathways long before any liver cell damage is shown on a standard liver function test.
Thirdly, aluminum levels in the blood were measured but no special measures were advised by the researchers to reduce this so it again was not surprising that the 7 day detox did not reduce the levels.
These stores of chemicals in fat layers as well as chemicals in the blood can be reduced but it takes a lot longer than 7 days to do it.
The researchers who made these claims are simply not reading the research. The success of the detox program provided for the New York rescue workers poisoned by toxic substances after the 9/11 disaster is but one example of many.
Another study has been reported in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine which stated that fat soluble toxins were reduced by an average of 50% after two months on a specific detox program. Without this detox program, the expected drop in these toxins over two months would be only a fraction of one percent.
Much other research has shown that by supporting the body with specific foods and nutrients that are know to support the liver detox routes that detoxification can be improved.
It does not happen overnight though and that is why if you are serious about improving your health you should stay on a good, toxin free, blanced diet and continue with periodic detox regimes.
Ayurevedic guru Nish Joshi maintains that when your diet is holistic and a balanced part of your life you don't obsess about it. You just feel well and full of energy.
(C) 2007 Sandy Halliday
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