Should I Use a Detoxification Diet to Jump-Start Weight Loss?

Question: I keep hearing about detoxification diets, and how they can help with weight loss and other health-related issues. I’m looking to jumpstart my own weight loss, so is this something I should consider?

Answer: No—you do not need to resort to detox diets to lose weight. They might be popular right now, but in my humble opinion, they’re definitely not the answer you’re looking for. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people that think detoxification is a reasonable path to take to better health. So-called experts claim that detox diets can flush toxins from your body, strengthen your immune system, improve your skin’s complexion, and help you get rid of excess fat fast. They even point to famous Hollywood starlets who, as we all know, are willing to try anything and everything to get “the look.” Thankfully, most real experts, including doctors, dietitians, and trainers, agree that these regimens do more harm than good, often resulting in unpleasant, and sometimes dangerous, side effects. These can include vitamin deficiencies, electrolyte abnormalities, blood sugar problems, excessive diarrhea, muscle breakdown, and a suppressed immune system.

Not bad for an overly restrictive liquid diet, huh?

Hopefully it’s not a surprise to you, but your body is perfectly capable of detoxifying itself, and it does an excellent job. Your kidneys, liver, lungs, skin, and several other organs all contribute to this process. If you really want to lose weight, and do it in a healthy way, speak to a registered dietitian and/or certified personal trainer, so they can help you develop a safe and effective plan.

About the author: Grant Pritchard is the club owner of Anytime Fitness in Buckley & Orting.