DETOX DIETS: DO THEY REALLY WORK?

Detox diets, cleanses, and fasts may be trendy in the weight loss world, but do they really work? When it comes to weight loss or – more accurately, fat loss – detox diets for weight loss are not the answer.

These extremely low-calorie detox diet plans don’t even begin to offer the nutrition your body needs. When you use these “cleansing” products exclusively, they produce a kind of “weight loss mirage”. There’s a likelihood you’ll see fewer pounds on the scale in the beginning, but please understand that this is not healthy nor sustainable weight loss. The initial weight loss is triggered by your body’s natural starvation response that encourages your body to drop water weight and muscle mass, two body composition components that are key to long-term health. At the same time, because your body believes you are at risk of starving, it puts its preservation of fat stores into high gear. It does this because your body believes you will need to draw upon fats in order to survive.

Another popular claim is that detox diets clean out your colon and digestive tract, eliminating excess weight in the form of built-up feces and toxins. Again, nothing could be further from the truth. A person simply cannot be remotely healthy and also have pounds of buildup in their digestive tract. This is something only seen when someone is at the end of their life and extremely ill.

Likewise, these so-called detoxifying diets may come complete with a mystery concoction of potions to drink during the fast. These products can range from simple sugar and vitamins to potentially dangerous blends of herbal and/or illegal medications.

So don’t be fooled. The average overweight or obese American’s weight is not the result of excess toxins. It is in the form of excess fat. So following a plan whose goal is to eliminate fat is the solution.

Of course, eating a balanced diet of nutritious foods will help you feel better and is less toxic compared to a diet made up of fast food and processed food. Drinking plenty of plain water will also help you feel and look better. But fasting, at least for the purpose of weight loss, won’t. (Please note, fasting for religious or spiritual reasons is an entirely different matter and not to be confused with detox diets for weight loss.)

For those with food addictions or a lot of weight to lose, following a high-quality, medically supervised liquid diet can provide quick weight loss without triggering a starvation response. It can also help you break away from unhealthy foods and eating patterns.

We offer such a plan to patients in CMWL program who would benefit from a high-protein, calorie-controlled nutritional plan, along with many other proven and effective tools and resources to help you lose excess fat and improve your overall health. We understand the allure of believing that a simple detox product will help you achieve your dream body. But losing weight – and keeping it off – should be done with the guidance and expertise of a medical expert.