What Is Detox?

What is detox? Is it necessary? Is it a good idea? What is the goal? Is it a scam? Does it work? All of these questions are legitimate and should be asked. I have seen many “detox” products that make claims that sound too good to be true. And most of the time, that is the case. So, how do we sort through the legitimate claims and ones that are trying to scam you? Well, it helps to answer the questions above.

What is detox?

It helps to know a little about human anatomy and physiology to answer this question. The most important “detox” organ is the liver. The liver performs hundreds of functions, this includes processing chemicals that are harmful to us in a way that our body gets rid of it. We all know what happens when we drink too much alcohol. We all know that it takes time to sober up. This is the liver at work, clearing the blood of the alcohol, and getting rid of it. So, really, it’s the liver that engages in detox--not a pill, not herbs, not carbs, not a water diet (although water is necessary for all body processes), etc. Too much abuse to the liver will damage it, possibly irreversibly, decreasing its power to detoxify and perform all of its other vital functions.

Kidneys help with detoxification, too, they act as a kind of filter. They keep as much water inside of your body while ridding your body of water-soluble wastes. Your intestines absorb nutrients and leave the waste products, which pass through your body. They absorb water from the food we eat and move waste products through. Without a healthy gut, toxins can build up. Many detox products focus solely on this. While digestion and gut health is very important, if we neglect the other major detoxifying organs, we are missing a vital part of detox. Your skin, through sweat, can release some toxins. Skin health is important, and it plays a minor role in detox, but it should not be the focus. Other organs are also involved, but they play more of a support role.

Is detoxing necessary?

Your body has organ systems that detox for you, so it is important. Without these organs, you wouldn't be able to function properly. You don’t need a detox pill, or a detox diet. What you do need is a diet that will support the healthy function of your organs that engage in detox. You can’t expect your body to do its job if you don’t nourish it with what it needs. Your body does a remarkable job of surviving on relatively little, but it works better when you feed it correctly. If you would like help assessing your need for detox, please contact me.

Is detox beneficial?

It is a better choice to eat good foods, and avoid unhealthy foods. Sometimes you can give your body a boost by feeding it a special diet that is geared to support the organs. If this is what you mean by detox, then it is a good idea. If you starve your body by going on a water diet (or something similar that involves very low calories) then, that is not healthy for your body. 

What is the goal of detox?

The goal in a detoxification program is to support the organs of detox: the liver (mainly), kidneys, gallbladder, intestines, and skin. For some, the goal may be weight loss. I don’t think that this should be the goal in detox. A good detoxification program may result in mild weight loss, but it should not be the goal. A good weight loss program may include a diet that will support detoxification but should also include regular exercise and proper sleep.

Is detox a scam?

There are many scams, fad diets, false claims, and ineffective “natural” remedies that are available almost everywhere you look. There are a few products out there that might actually work, but they are rare. It is important to find a product that involves supporting your organs that detoxify. If you can eat the proper foods, that is the best way to detoxify. Many of the foods we eat are deficient in the trace minerals that are required for more effective detoxification. Most supplements don’t do the trick, either.  A whole food supplement will be much more effective. There are a few companies out there that produce whole food supplements. My favorite is Standard Process.

Does detoxing work?

Yes, if you do it right. We want to support the body and its organs. We want to feed the body with good food. Your overall health will determine how effective your body can engage in those processes--not only detoxification but overall effectiveness in all of its processes. If you would like some guidance on a healthy way to detoxify, please contact me. In the meantime, eat plenty of green leafy vegetables that support the liver like kale and beet greens, and reduce your consumption of foods that hurt the liver like alcohol, refined sugars like candy and soda, and certainly drink enough water.