Cleansing Diets

Cleanse your body with a detox diet

Cleansing diets seem to be all the rage lately – every time you turn on the TV, there’s another celebrity pitching some new diet they’ve learned. A cleansing diet may also be called a detoxification diet (or a detox diet for short). The word detox is often used in association with treating alcohol and substance abusers, but it’s also used to describe the process of removing toxins introduced to the body through eating and breathing.

It’s believed that these toxins accumulate in the fat cells of the body and can lead to illness and disease. This accumulation is referred to as the body burden and has been linked to hormonal imbalance, immune dysfunction, irregular metabolism and nutrition deficiencies. Warning signs that your body may be in need of cleansing include bad breath, muscle pain, indigestion, exhaustion and poor complexion.

Cleansing Diet Types

There are a variety of cleansing products and diets on the market today; some are fads that are gone within six months and others stick around for years. A body cleansing diet with the aim of improving your overall health can last anywhere from seven days to four weeks.

One example is the Master Cleanse diet – also known as the lemonade cleansing diet; it’s not for the faint of heart but offers dramatic results. It involves fasting for 10 to 14 days while consuming only maple syrup, lemon juice and cayenne pepper. Stars such as Beyonce, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie have used this diet to shed extra pounds in short order to prepare for high-profile roles on the big screen.

Some cleansing diets are tailored to address detoxifying specific organs in the body such as a liver cleansing diet or a colon cleansing diet. Customized diets may be recommended for you by a qualified naturopath with full disclosure of your medical history.

Detox Diet Side Effects

Any dramatic change in a person’s diet is bound to have some side effects, especially when cutting out addictive substances like caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. Common symptoms experienced while on a cleansing diet include headaches, excessive diarrhea, weight loss, hunger, blemishes and exhaustion. The benefits for those who follow the diet through completion include increased energy, improved digestion, more cognitive focus, regularity and a clear complexion.

Detox diets aren’t for everyone; pregnant or nursing mothers as well as those with diabetes, kidney disease or cancer should not attempt any of these diets. It’s recommended that you consult with your doctor before undergoing any type of radical change in your normal diet.