ALL ABOUT DE-TOX !
Detox diets & the science behind them!
As a nutritionist, I have most
of my clients (women, especially) wanting to go on a DETOX diet. I understand
that with so much hype about it and celebrities raving about a detox diet that
worked on them, a lay man is bound to be eye-washed about it.
In this post, I will create some awareness about WHAT a DETOX DIET is and
everything that one would want to know regarding a detox plan.
To begin
with the basics,
DETOX
is short for detoxification.
Medically, it refers to a treatment designed to rid the body of poisonous
substances, especially alcohol and drugs – in short, it means removal of
toxins and other harmful substances from your body.
A
DETOX DIET is designed to serve the exact purpose– it removes the toxins and
chemicals from your body – a cleansing therapy that revitalizes your health.
Why does one need to detox the body:
Given how
we sometimes want to run away from city life – its pollution, toxins and
stresses – to enjoy a weekend in a place closest to nature, the same way, the
body also NEEDS A BREAK from all the toxins, chemicals, preservatives and
stresses we dump it with. By detoxifying your body and feeding it with healthy
food, you are protecting yourself from a variety of ailments.
I believe that “flushing out the toxins” is extremely important to the body. The amount of toxins we load our systems with (both internally and externally), if we don’t cleanse it out – it will soon dump back a bag full of ill-health on us. A body loaded with toxins can be the reason for a weakened immune system or fatigue or dry skin or hair or even your feeling of depression.
I believe that “flushing out the toxins” is extremely important to the body. The amount of toxins we load our systems with (both internally and externally), if we don’t cleanse it out – it will soon dump back a bag full of ill-health on us. A body loaded with toxins can be the reason for a weakened immune system or fatigue or dry skin or hair or even your feeling of depression.
A DETOX DIET
can probably provide relief from your bloated feeling, irregular bowel
movements; it will probably leave your hair and skin looking better and keep
you all energetic and will SURELY leave you feeling LIGHTER!
Before you get yourself on a detox mode, you might want to clear your kitchen shelves off foods or beverages
that are likely to tempt you during your days of detox. A few people start
making small changes in the week before, which tends to optimize the ability of
the liver to detox better – this could include increasing water intake by
500ml-1 liter or probably eating more fruits and soups as the week approaches.
How long one wants to stay on the detox depends on the person first, the type of detox they want to do (Yes!
There are many different types!) and most importantly how long they are able to
stick to it without having many side-effects (again, yes, there are a few
reported side-effects). Start with a one-day and see how you feel and then
gradually increase the duration.
A few of my clients get into a detox phase post a long holiday or wedding season as it leaves them feeling lighter (and of course less guilty!).
It is recommended one does a detox diet at least once in a year.
In my next blog, I’ll talk about the types of Detox Diets… so watch this space for the mantra to look and feel fabulous!!!


