Although detoxifying the body can result in a weight loss, “diet” in this case refers to a food regimen, not a weight reduction plan. A colon detox program that involves changes in one’s diet is designed to use nutrition to cause the body to get rid of toxic substances from the colon, the skin, and even the respiratory system.
Various Detoxing Diets
There are several types of diets for detoxifying the body and the most common ones are highly effective and popular. For example, a diet of raw foods not only offers higher fiber intake to speed up digestion and elimination, but also, due to the uncooked vegetables, result in higher levels of nutrients compared to cooked foods.
The so-called “mono diet” is a diet consisting of only a single type of food like fruits or vegetables, or one type of liquid—or alternating the fruit and liquid daily—for a period of up to two weeks.
A similar diet is the liquid-only regimen in which two full quarts of fresh organic fruit or vegetable juice is consumed along with six cups of filtered water (i.e., non-tap water) during each day for a week.
Results of Detoxing Diets
These diets will cause the evacuation of heavy metals, like arsenic, lead, and mercury, which have entered the body through the consumption of certain processed foods and being present in some food containers or other kitchen items. Toxic chemicals from alcohol intake, food additives, or abused drugs will be flushed with these types of diets. Yeast and other similar microorganisms, as well as toxins taken through the respiratory system (by breathing the fumes of benzene used in household solvents and stain removers) will also be eliminated.
Preparing for a Detox Diet Program
Prior to undergoing a detox diet a common sense approach should be observed. Over a period of at least a week prior to starting the diet, dieters should begin a gradual reduction in the intake of caffeinated and carbonated beverages, chocolates, alcohol, gluten (grain) products, high-fat foods and dairy products. A rapid cessation of many of these foods could result in headaches or gastric discomfort. The ingestion of more “benign” foods such as rice pasta, beans, lentils and herbal teas should be the preparatory diet leading up to the detoxification plan. Dieters should also work up to a point where they are drinking at least eight cups of filtered water (i.e., non-tap water) per day by the time the detox diet begins.
Although detox diets may be undertaken at any time of the year, they should be performed only about twice a year. However, their timing should be planned for certain contingencies. Some people say they should be started over a weekend or perhaps taking some personal time from work for the first couple of days. Others say they should be done during warmer months, while others like to do them in January to blunt the effects of holiday overindulging. When the diet is completed, just as they did at the beginning, dieters should gradually return to a regular full diet with things like soups and crackers over a period of several days.
Potential Hazards
The most prominent health hazards stemming from detox diets are generally due to the change in food consumption such as diarrhea and dehydration. And chemical imbalances such as calcium deficiencies and improper levels of sodium, potassium, or chloride can cause distress for a while. Low blood electrolytes can be a very serious condition.
And, say what you want about pasteurized and cooked foods, but these processes kill parasites and other food-born illnesses that could be present in the raw-food diets.
Professional Consultation
This is why part of the preparation for a detox diet should include consulting with a health professional. They may suggest a quick battery of blood, stool and other tests first. And anyone with at-risk health (diabetics, underweight, addictions, recent surgery, etc.) should certainly contact their doctors prior.
For more descriptions of this and all other types of diets, see the articles at diet.com.
