The Details About Detox

When you read about a super-slim celebrity and her latest diet plan, you’re bound to hear something about detox. But what exactly is detox and does it really work?

While the plans vary, the concept is relatively simple. For a day or so — even a week or more — a person following a detox diet will consume only what the plan allows… and they don’t allow much. Some have juices; others have strange concoctions like lemon, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup. The idea is that the detox will rid your body of unwanted substances and help you drop pounds quickly.

Some points to consider:

It may work, but… When you starve your body of the nutrients it needs, you’ll probably lose weight. And when you consume solely liquids, you’ll lose water weight. But it’s not a healthy way to go about it — and the results won’t last.

Beware the health risks. Long-term fasts and repeated fasts can lead to problems such as muscle breakdown.

Your body can detox itself. Unless you have a condition that prevents it, your body is perfectly capable of ridding itself of toxins.

For general health and for permanent weight loss, there’s no need to do anything as extreme as detox. You just need to learn healthy eating and exercise habits that you can maintain for a lifetime.