Detox

I recently arrived home from vacation and when asked about my time away, I can’t help but describe it as a perfect detox.  Beach, books, bronze… it was lovely!  Naturally, this got me thinking about detox diets.  Cleanse diets seem to be increasingly popular, but aren’t actually scientifically proven.  These diets typically make 2 claims that I’ll address below. 

1.     They’ll cleanse or detoxify your system

Ø  Well, our bodies are fully equipped with organs like the kidneys and liver that already filter and eliminate toxins. 

2.     You’ll rapidly lose weight

Ø  This may be true, but that’s because most detox diets are essentially starvation diets.  This can be problematic, especially if you require tight monitoring and control of your blood sugars, or if you follow the diet for several weeks.  In addition to nutrient deficiencies, side effects include fatigue, dizziness, bloating and cramping.  Furthermore, weight initially lost is typically gained when regular diets are resumed.

So, at the end of the day, your best bet is to maintain a well-balanced diet, stay active and maintain a positive outlook (and escape to the beach if you can ;)).  

Ps.  Here's  a source: 
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/detox-diets/AN01334