Detox Program Diet

The body's natural method of cleansing itself of impurities and toxins is known as detoxification. Proponents of detox diets claim that these programs will speed and improve the body's natural purification process, enabling dieters to lose weight as well as rid their body of harmful chemicals. Notable detox diets include the lemonade diet, master cleanse, the hallelujah diet, the raw food diet and many liquid diet plans. While many people testify to the efficacy of these plans, there is no scientific evidence indicating they work, and they carry serious potential health risks.

Types of Foods and Beverages Consumed

While the exact elements of each diet vary according to the details of each plan, you can expect to eat primarily organic fruits and vegetables and unprocessed foods such as nuts and grains, drink a large amount of water every day, and consume certain herbs that purportedly help the detox process including milk thistle, yucca, licorice root and gentian root. Some plans use enemas and herbal laxatives to assist in the detoxification process.

In most cases, you will also need to avoid meat, dairy products, alcohol, drugs, tobacco and caffeine. You will probably begin with a fasting period and then move to a diet in which you eat primarily raw fruits and vegetables, juices and water. Expect to stay on this plan for a period of 7 to 10 days until you feel "lighter" and healthier.

What to Expect

During the initial fasting component of the diet, you might feel dizzy, weak and light-headed. Headaches tend to be another common complaint, primarily because of caffeine withdrawal. Because of the large amounts of fruits and vegetables and juices consumed, some dieters suffer chronic diarrhea, which lasts throughout the program. This can be dangerous and result in dehydration and serious electrolyte imbalances, so if you suffer from diarrhea, consult your doctor to see whether it is safe for you to remain on the diet.

While most detox diets do not have weight loss as their goal, you will probably lose weight on this program because of the severe caloric restriction. Because of the nature of these diet plans, the loss consists primarily of water, which you will likely gain back after discontinuing the diet.

Health Risks

According to the Mayo Clinic, no scientific evidence shows any type of health benefits from these detoxification plans. Doctors maintain that your body does a good job of ridding itself of excess toxins without any type of assistance from a special diet plan. Long-term health risks on these plans include nutritional deficiencies, anemia, irregular heartbeat and low blood sugar.

Dallas dietitian and American Dietetic Association spokesperson Lona Sandon warns that the lack of adequate nutrition on these diets can "actually weaken the body's ability to fight infections and inflammation." Talk to your doctor before beginning any type of diet plan to make sure it is a good choice for you.