Overview
When damaging influences such as fatty foods, polluted water and air, and chemical-laden cosmetics drain your energy levels and weaken your immune system, it’s time to take an honest inventory of your habits. Though many physicians, such as Dr. Nasir Moloo of Consultants Medical Group of Sacramento, doubt their actual effectiveness, detox programs tend to attract those seeking a fresh start. A detox is designed to help remove harmful influences from your body and your environment, and to jump start your journey toward revitalized health.
History
Detoxing is commonly associated with a desire to restore physical strength, but according to Harvey Cox, professor of divinity at Harvard University, the tradition of fasting has roots in ancient religious practices aimed at restoring spiritual strength. Holidays such as Christianity’s Lent, Judaism’s Yom Kippur and Islam’s Ramadan call for regimens of abstinence during specific time periods each year.
In the twentieth century, detoxification programs began to aid those suffering from serious addictions. According to the Schaffer LIbrary of Drug Policy, methadone, first developed during World War II, played a vital role in federal programs aimed at helping heroin-addicted soldiers returning from the Vietnam war.
More recently, the word “detox” has entered the common vernacular in reference to regimens aimed at removing environmental toxins and alleviating the negative effects of a poor diet.
Types
Programs for relieving the withdrawal symptoms of addicts and alcoholics are supervised by professionals at rehabilitation centers. These medically designed detoxes concentrate on counseling and medications to ease withdrawal symptoms.
Detox diets used by the general public take numerous forms. James F. Balch, M.D., describes liquid detox diets which use only water or fruit juices in an effort to flush toxins from the body. Raw foods detox programs include uncooked fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts. Detox programs often begin with a day or two of liquids only, then move on to a regimen of raw foods.
Herbal detox programs recommend supplements purported to accelerate the removal of toxins from the body. Other programs feature therapeutic adjuncts such as coffee enemas or ionic foot baths, but the merits of these methods are not supported by sound scientific research.
Some comprehensive detox programs, according to Michael F. Roizen, M.D., call for an entire overhaul of living environment, by assessing the home for toxins such as radon and asbestos, and removing harmful substances.
Effects
According to Susan Moores, R.D., the initial effects of a detox diet may include fatigue and weakness, due to diminished calorie consumption. Coffee drinkers may experience headaches from caffeine withdrawal during the first few days of a detox. Weight loss from detox regimens is common, but weight often returns when the dieter resumes a more traditional eating routine.
Time Frame
Detox programs can be as brief as 24 hours, while other programs extend up to 10 days or longer. The duration of a detox varies according to the intended objectives.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that for addicts recovering in rehab, medications can mask withdrawal symptoms, making it difficult to determine the duration of the detoxing process. The period of time required for detoxing from serious drug addictions must be assessed on an individual basis.
Warning
Beyond medically supervised detox programs for drug addict and alcoholics, doctors question the effectiveness and even the safety of diet detox programs. Prolonged caloric deprivation can lead to muscle break down and nutrient deprivation, according to American Dietetic Association. Consult your doctor before embarking on a detox diet, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.
About this Author
For 15 years, Christina Ray’s award-winning work has appeared in film, television, newspapers, magazines and the Internet. She has worked as a story editor on the CBS drama Flashpoint, and her column, “Road Stories,” appears bimonthly in The Driver Magazine. She has a B.S. in biology, and a Doctorate in Chiropractic from Palmer College.
