Cleanse or Detox?!

Our bodies are beautiful machines which are comprised of parts that perform a variety of functions. Whether you believe we were made by someone or something or maybe you believe that by natural selection we developed into what we are now, there is no doubt our bodies are an incredible thing. With that said, we are made up of cells, which make up tissues, which in turn make up the organs that make up our body. Every cell has a function and every organ has a function, and when all these are working properly, we achieve a balance in which our body just needs to be maintained.

That is a long explanation to bring about my point. The way our body is designed, just like it can perform a lot of other functions, it can also cleanse and detoxify itself. One of the biggest things out there now is “cleanse” and “detox”. There is a cleanse for pretty much everything out there: to clear up your skin, to lose weight, to reset your metabolism, you name it. And yes, this “cleanse” may work, temporarily, but guess what? Although, your skin may be clear, and you may shed some pounds, once you go back to your ways and daily living, you start breaking out and putting the weight back on.

So, how does our body detoxify itself?

1. Our skin is our first line of defense. It shields us from a number of bacteria and viruses by providing a layer of what I like to call permanent clothing we get to wear our entire lives.
2. Dirt is trapped in tiny hairs in our nose and the ones that do make it to our lungs are expelled by mucus.
3. Our immune system recognizes foreign substances such as viruses and works together to get them out of the body.
4. Toxic foods are eliminated from our digestive system via vomiting or diarrhea.
5. Amongst the many functions of the liver, it is also our body’s main detox organ. The liver cleanses our blood from hazardous metals and toxic or poisonous substances. It also produces that toxin enzyme called acetaldehyde that gives us that happy buzz (when consumed in moderation).
6. Our kidneys filter and remove toxic material from the urine.

As far as the research behind detox is concerned, there’s basically no evidence that this actually works. Sure, in some cases it helps people to make certain changes to their diet but the fact is that this, just like many others, is just a fad.

Remember, your body is the only place where you have to live in for the rest of your life. Treat it like such and once you start taking care of it you will see the change. There is no secret diet out there and there is no 10-day weight loss that is effective without putting so much stress in your body that a few days later you will gain it all back, maybe even more than when you originally started, and you will most likely feel even worse about it.

So is a detox worth it? In my opinion, absolutely not. Considering the health risks that a detox may imply such as lack of nutrients and/or extremely low-calorie intake, with little to no scientific evidence, there is no reason as to why anyone should stress their body in this way. But like everything else concerning your body, it is up to you to decide.

Reference:

• Klein A.V. & Kiat H. (2014) Detox diets for toxin elimination and weight management: a critical review of the evidence. J Hum Nutr Diet. doi: 10.1111/jhn.12286