Anyone Tried DrNatura or Other “Detox” or “cleanses”? Anyone Think Its Crap?

Question by curiousguy: Anyone tried DrNatura or other “Detox” or “cleanses”? Anyone think its crap?
Anyone think its a load of crap? (haha no pun intended). Everyone seems to think its great, but I’m pretty skeptical. Anyone found any scientific evidence refuting the effectiveness of these detox systems?

Best answer:

Answer by Rickydotcom
Critics point out that the human liver, kidneys, lungs and skin have evolved to adequately expel environmental contaminants and are perfectly equipped to continue to do so unassisted.

Although detox diets or supplements may make you feel better, the scientific basis for such is somewhat lacking and there’s little evidence that there’s any good to be gained from following them. “Buyer beware.”

Of course, it’s true to say that food isn’t all pure nutrients and the average diet will inevitably contain some toxic substances (alcohol, for example).

Fortunately, the human body is well equipped to deal with such toxins, and they are effectively removed and excreted by the liver within hours of consumption.

The basic misconception of detox diets, however, is that fruits and vegetables are low in toxins while meat and fish lead to the accumulation of harmful substances in the body. In fact, the opposite is often true; vegetables such as cabbage and onions are high in naturally occurring toxins, while meat and fish often have low levels.

The greatest irony is that the liver, the body’s detoxification organ, can most effectively breakdown and eliminate toxins on a high-protein diet such as one rich in meat and fish.

Of course, fruit and vegetables are very important components of a healthy diet, but the idea that you should exist solely on such foods for days on end isn’t consistent with the principle of a healthy balanced diet. Your daily diet should contain at least five portions of fruit and vegetables as well as lean meat, carbohydrates and dairy products.

Eating a healthy diet on a daily basis will help the body function properly and it shouldn’t be necessary to pursue a detoxification regimen. However, if you do find the urge to detox, use it as an excuse to kick-start a new healthy eating regime.

Beyond the use of simple and restrictive diets, detoxification aids come in the form of herbal supplements and other so-called ‘nutraceuticals’ and functional foods. One of the most popular herbal supplements is milk thistle, which contains a compound called silymarin that’s believed to enhance liver regeneration and promote its detoxification function.

Several clinical trials have sought to assess these claims with a view to the potential use of silymarin in the treatment and management of liver disease. However, the results have been inconclusive, with most trials showing limited benefits.

It was concluded, however, that milk thistle extract is well tolerated and has antioxidant properties that may be beneficial, although probably not in a detox sense.

Prebiotics and probiotics are increasingly popular food supplements, taken for their beneficial effect on gut bacteria (the so-called friendly bacteria). Probiotics – found in health supplements and ‘live’ or ‘bio’ yoghurts – are live bacteria known to be beneficial to gut health and immunity. Prebiotics provide this bacteria with food to live on, promoting their growth within the gut in preference to more harmful bacteria.

As one of the most common causes of lethargy is constipation, there’s a growing interest in purgative practices such as colonic irrigation and the use of laxatives. Certainly, the slow passage of waste products through the colon may increase the resorption of some potentially toxic substances.

One of the most effective and safe ways of ensuring the efficient and complete expulsion of such waste from the body is to eat a high-fiber diet and drink plenty of water. Wheat bran is especially effective in helping clear the contents of the gut and is consequently often referred to as ‘nature’s broom’.

Rick the pharmacist

Give your answer to this question below!

Commentary: Let's help group homes be good neighbors
The state has licensed 37 of these to provide treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. (Treatment is defined as conducting group meetings, planning recovery or treatment options, providing detoxification services or administering medication.) By law, the … Read more on Daily Pilot