Medication Comparisons

Are detox diets a fad or friend? Would a few early nights, some excercise and water have the same effect? There is no evidence to prove that detox diets actually work as the body has several natural detoxifying mechanisms including the liver, bowel, kidneys and skin which do not require detox programmes. If you cut out alcohol, processed food, drink plenty of water and eat from the bottom of the food pyramid, your body will naturally detox. Tests have been done to prove the validity of detox diet on various money wasting products and have shown that our bodies naturally detox whether we go on a fad diet or not.

You can assist your body processes to detox effectively as a result of taking detox tablets, wearing detox socks, having detox body wrap and eating nettle root extract, drinking herbal infusions or oxygenated water however, if you select to allow your body breathing space away from alcohol or over eating, it will automatically detox itself. Detox diets are not something that would be easily advocated expecially with regard to a fast weight-loss programme. The entire concept of detox itself makes no sense as if there were toxic substances in our body we would not be around.

Many people opt for radical detox methods as they are actively seeking a quick-fix solution. Detox diets are a product of society which wants a quick fix and where money is no object. It is perceived that the more expensive the detox programme, the better. A prime example of this is colonic irrigation which is simply dangerous and administered by therapists who are beauticians. Colonic irrigation is not necessary and can be risky for patients. This procedure was very popular around 40 years ago and people used cofffee known as a "coffee enema". The short-term risks with this are huge as the practitioners are not medically trained and there is even less known about the long-term effects so this treatment should be avoided at all costs.

Whilst there are major benefits in alternative healthcare such as homeopothy, aromatherapy and herbalism which has been proven to work for thousands of years, check out carefully before you allow yourself to receive a "coffee enema." Recommendations for herbal remedies to aid detoxing include milk thistle for detoxing the liver, gall gladder and the digestive system. Never restrict food severely to your body as part of a detox programme as this will simply result in a loss of fluids rather than a loss of body fat. With the current trend to be a stick-insect, detox kits are readily available over the counter and are very easily accesible. Some of these kits may produce unwanted effects.

Home kits often contain a laxative effect which is not very socially acceptable as it will require time off work. In the short-term you are messing with your metabolic system which is very unhealthy. Whilst detox products do have a role to play when combined with a healthy diet and excercise regime a quick fix is not the way forward. If you get an early nights sleep and drink plenty of water you will feel better in the longrun. People get away with making claims that these detox remedies work as there are not double blind trials where one person is given the treatment and another a placebo. Most of the time all that is required is a good night's sleep. The University of Southern California carried out a research programme in 2005 and concluded that detox diets do no more than the body's own natural system to get rid of toxins.

Taking all of this into account we must recognize the excellent effects of herbs and essential oils on our lives. This ancient craft, for which many were burned during the "burning times" has proven to work when in the right hands. Aromatherapy & Herbalism were a way of life for thousands of years and today many plants and plant extracts are used daily within our traditional tablet form. The main thing to remember is "everything in moderation" and you can't go wrong. If you are considering a good detox then look up good books and resources rather than allowing a beautician to stick a tube up your ass and pour warm coffee directly into our system. Ahh, even the sound of that makes me shudder.