Detox Diet Criticism

Detox Diet Criticism

Professor Alan Boobis OBE, Toxicologist, Division of Medicine, Imperial College London states that "The body’s own detoxification systems are remarkably sophisticated and versatile. They have to be, as the natural environment that we evolved in is hostile. It is remarkable that people are prepared to risk seriously disrupting these systems with unproven ‘detox’ diets, which could well do more harm than good."[5]

The potentially high mercury content in some fish is cited to argue against increased fish consumption. If one is considering eating more fish, it is therefore important to choose fish that have low mercury levels.

Sudden changes in diet have been linked to fainting and other medical issues. It is therefore of utmost importance to gradually introduce the dietary changes, especially if they are extreme compared to the present diet. Fasting should never be undertaken without a proper understanding of its procedures, and long-term changes to the diet should always include a balance of the nutrients needed for the sustenance of the human body - carbohydrates, protein, unsaturated fat, vitamins, minerals and water. The same is advisable for any diet, cleansing or otherwise, in order to maintain optimal health.

Highly restrictive detox diets such as Water fasting or the Master Cleanse are not the safest form of weight loss. These diets, if done improperly or for too long, may result in nutrient deficiencies. Of particular concern is lack of protein, which may result in wasting of muscle tissue, due to insufficient amino acids for repair. With less lean muscle tissue, the body's metabolic needs decrease, which hampers weight loss efforts unless calories are lessened further in the diet.

While many people have provided testimonials to their health improvements in following a "detox" diet lifestyle, some of these people may have started the detox diet after coming off an unhealthy diet high in sugar and processed food that may lack nutrients. Any improvements cited from such people would only prove the effectiveness of a detox diet over an average diet, and not that it is the ideal diet that doesn't carry its own unique health risks. It is therefore necessary to investigate whether or not the diets advocated provide sufficient nutritional value for optimal physical functioning.

Some of the changes recommended in certain "detox"diet lifestyles are ones that agree with mainstream medical advice, such as consuming a diet high in fruits and vegetables. Separating the beneficial effects of such changes from the rest of the recommendations made in a "detoxifying" diet is difficult.
Detox Diet
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