Detox Diets: What's In It For Me? - By: Adam W. Porter

For many centuries, the spring rituals of many societies have included a detoxification diet of some sort. Detox diets include fasting and have been used to cleanse the soul as well as the body. "Almost every religion has some type of fasting ritual - Lent, Ramadan, Yom Kippur...the Hindus and Buddhists fast, too" is a quote from "Alternative Medicine for Dummies," written by James Dillard, MD, an assistant clinical professor at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City.

Clearly, detoxification by fasting is not some recent invention of a new age guru. Versions of this process have been practiced for many, many years. The methods vary, but the objective is always the same. The idea is to clean out the old pipes, rid the body of waste, and get rid of the junk so that the entire body functions more efficiently. To start completely fresh, you purify yourself from the inside out. The time required for detoxification varies, according to which guru you ask.

The human body detoxifies itself naturally every day. The colon, the liver, the kidneys, and even the skin serve to remove toxins from the body. To intensify and speed this process along, a detoxifying diet may be incorporated. Some detox diets consist solely of water. You can only consume water, no solids, in this diet. Other diets also incorporate fruit and vegetable juices along with water. Even others only allow liquids for the express purpose of taking a diuretic, laxative, or nutrient-filled capsule to help speed the detoxifying process. These are typically the more extreme programs. There are also programs that serve to supplement your current normal diet. These typically have you take certain vitamins and supplements to help cleanse you while maintaining a more traditional diet.

For healthy people, detox diets are not shown to be harmful. There's no certain proof that a detox diet actually does much good, either. The results that detox products claim are primarily based on user testimonials. These testimonials note interesting restroom experiences followed by absolutely no gastrointestinal issues, bouts of weakness followed by considerable increases in energy, periods of skin breakouts followed by perfect, glowing skin. With ultimate results so fantastic, it is easy to see why many people use the programs, knowing they may encounter some short-term discomfort. Discuss any concerns with a doctor or dietitian before jumping into any detox program. You may even need a prescription before you are able to begin..

About the Author

Grab the free weight loss newsletter today.

Adam Porter is a fitness enthusiast, and has been keeping fit and healthy with easy diet and exercise for over a decade. He is the co-owner of http://www.WhipWeightLoss.com, where he teaches you how to keep your diet healthy and fit through a free newsletter.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Adam-W--Porter/56998

Additional Articles From - Home | Health & fitness | Weight loss