The detox diet, in fact, is now gaining fad status among people who want to lose weight while boosting their overall health, but there are so many detox diets now being promoted that finding the one best for your particular detoxification needs can be something of a challenge. No matter which one you choose, however, you can rest assured that it will perform as expected by eliminating the toxins from your system.
What Foods Are Included In A Detox Diet?
Any detox diet will, first and foremost, limit the amounts of harmful substances which you consume. But the food which are included or excluded from a detox diet will vary, so you should make sure that the detox diet you choose will supply you with a full range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. You need to review a number of detox diets carefully before settling on a specific one, because a detox diet short on nutrients will not provide the health benefits you deserve.
There are many foods which are excluded form detox diets not because they contain harmful toxins, but because they do nothing to help your body flush the accumulated toxins from its system. Any good detox diet will be loaded with high fiber foods to promote bowel function, and foods with diuretic properties to cleanse and stimulate the urinary system. Purified water, herbal teas, and fresh fruit or vegetable juices are all staples of a good detox diet.
Research has shown that detox diets which meet all of the above standards are far more likely to produce improved digestion and normal bowel function, greater energy and mental clarity, and clearer skin than those which do not. Finding and sticking with a good detox diet can have you feeling and looking younger than you have for years.
Who Should Not Go On A Detox Diet?
But going on a detox diet is not advised for everyone, even for some people who suffer from accumulated toxins. Expectant and nursing mothers should avoid a detox diet because of some of its temporary but unpleasant side effects. If you suffer from disorders of the heart, kidney, or liver; have gastric ulcers or low blood pressure; iron deficiency; hypothyroidism; diabetes; an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia; or are a substance abuser, you should not begin a detox diet unless you have received permission from a medical professional.
It's vital that you have a physical exam before beginning a day detox diet, because you may have hidden health problems which would d only be exacerbated by such a radical change in your eating habits. Getting the all clear from your doctor is the best guarantee you have of determining whether your health problems are the result of you poor diet, or if there is some other cause which demands a completely different treatment.