If you have been on the diet front lately, you have probably
heard of detox diets. Basically, detox diets are the next big
player in the fad diet game. Like Atkins, Southbeach, even the
cabbage diet, different detox diets are popping up all over the
internet and in bookstores. What exactly are detox diets, do
they work, and are detox diets safe?

The premise behind detox diets is that your body is full of
toxins, many of which come from the foods you eat. A basic
detox diet will have you fast for a certain period of time,
which means you will not eat at all. You will then only eat
specific foods that are believed to be toxin free, completely
refraining from other foods, such as sugar, red meat, wheat,
and eggs. Most detox diets also call for a cleansing process
during which colonics, or enemas, are used or herbal colon
cleansers.

It is important to understand that detox diets are not really
designed for weight loss; instead they are to cleanse your body
of harmful toxins. The goal should not be to lose weight.
Secondly, there is a great deal of controversy over these diets
and whether they are safe.

For the most part, the diets are meant to be relatively short
term, or at least the most stringent part is. You will only be
required to fast and undergo body cleansing for a few days.
Anything longer will definitely cause health problems. Fasting
for any length of time will cause nutritional deficiencies,
fatigue, dehydration, and possibly eating disorders. Likewise,
the colon cleansers that are used to rid the body of waste are
basically laxatives that can also cause dehydration and
nutritional deficiencies if used in excess. So it would seem
that you are doing something very dangerous, but because you
only do it for a short time, they try to pick out the potential
beneficial aspects of it.

While healthy people may be able to go on a detox diet, not
have any complications, and potentially even benefit from it, a
person that is not at their best should see a doctor before
taking part in it. Likewise, children and teenagers should not
go on a detox diet because their bodies still need a certain
number of calories and fat grams to maintain healthy growth and
optimal development. If there is any question, see you doctor
before starting any diet plan.


About The Author: Julia Tanner is a professional writer. More
articles can be found at: http://www.detoxdietspage.com