Detox fashion: placebo or real way to cleanse the body?

Many people have heard about the benefits of detox. It is believed that this approach to nutrition allows you to eliminate harmful substances from your body, get rid of extra pounds, improve your skin and health in general. Together with Elena Eisenberg, a certified health coach, nutritionist from California and a speaker at the SN PRO EXPO FORUM International Festival of Sport and Healthy Lifestyle, we find out what detox is and how it works.

What is detox?

Some people, when they hear the word “detox”, imagine various unpleasant things: strange herbal mixtures or horrible cleansing enemas. There are many options, but they almost always involve fasting, eating certain foods, avoiding harmful ingredients, and taking supplements.

In reality, detox diets are usually short-term dietary changes aimed at removing toxins from the body. It’s important to dispel common myths about what a detox is and understand why it’s so important to give your body a break every now and then.

There are two main types of toxins to which we are regularly exposed:

External. These are toxic materials that come from the outside world and make their way inside a person, such as with food or through inhalation. They are found in food, cleaning products, car exhaust, and cosmetics.

Internal. These are toxins that are produced in the body, such as by intestinal bacteria, or are formed when certain organs do not perform their task properly or completely.

The human body is constantly working to eliminate toxins and unwanted substances from various systems. Over time, the body is depleted by junk food, alcohol, caffeine, stress and environmental toxins – an inevitable part of modern life. No matter how healthy your diet or lifestyle may be, external factors still require giving the body a chance to recharge and get rid of anything that may be interfering with health and draining energy.

It is when vital organs are put under too much pressure and stop working efficiently that diseases can develop. Therefore, it is not a good idea to neglect cleansing the body.

Does detox work?

If your goal is to lose weight, detox diet, of course, will help to lose a few pounds. But, most likely, the weight will come back again. Therefore, you should not hope for long-term weight loss results.

If you want to eliminate toxins from the body, do not waste time and money. The body is already perfectly able to get rid of harmful substances, regardless of what you eat. Toxins don’t accumulate in your liver, kidneys, or any other part of your body, and you can’t get rid of them with the latest detox miracles. Especially avoid diets that promise to remove toxins from the liver with supplements or suggest that it should be “cleaned out”.

The only beneficial type of detox is a diet that limits processed, fatty and sugary foods and replaces them with more whole foods. Such as fruits and vegetables, lean meats and fish.

Nutritionist Tips

Try to avoid high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, especially when it comes to snacking.

Eliminate sugary drinks from your diet and drink more water throughout the day – this will help to fuel your body without adding calories. Start the day with a large glass of room temperature water, you can add lemon juice if you wish. Repeat the simple ritual half an hour before lunch and dinner. Take your water bottle with you and drink throughout the day. Replace your afternoon coffee with herbal tea.

Try to include as many fresh fruits, vegetables and greens as possible. Juices, smoothies and salads are a perfect start. Diversify your diet with chlorophyll-rich foods, as well as herbal teas and sea plants such as nori.

Coriander and foods containing citric and malic acids (grapes, oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits) will help flush out heavy metals from the body. Foods rich in selenium, such as Brazil nuts, mushrooms and sunflower seeds, also help.

You should not forget about healthy sleep. It promotes cell rejuvenation and improves the health of your heart, muscles and blood vessels. Try to sleep at least 7-8 hours a day.

The key to good health is choosing not only the right nutritional program, but also a lifestyle. Less deprivation and more balance – the demands on yourself should not be so strict that they are impossible to fulfill. Stay away from extreme detoxes that force you to buy expensive drugs and nutrition programs that involve severe restrictions. And if you have chronic health conditions, be sure to consult your doctor before trying any detox.