Detoxification diets are the latest craze in dieting, and that’s why the number of people searching for detox diets is growing every day. You probably have heard the terms toxins, detoxification, cleansing and purifying. These terms are almost always associated with some form of detox diet.
Toxins are harmful chemicals that affect your body. They can enter your body through various means such as polluted air, alcohol, drugs, pesticides and chemicals found in the foods we eat. They are also found right inside your body as waste products. Your body can eliminate most toxins, but there are always more in your body stored in your fat cells. These stored toxins combined with a stressful life can be very detrimental to your health.
Some of the side effects of these toxins are weight gain, headaches, fatigue, heartburn, sore muscles, joint pain and dull, lifeless skin. These symptoms will fade as you follow the body detox program however you will feel some discomfort the first few days of your detox diet. You may have headaches, have sore muscles, or be a bit sluggish, but this is because the toxins are leaving your body faster than your body can eliminate them. These symptoms will not recur if you detox regularly.
Detoxification diets are nutrition plans that use detoxification methods. This aids in weight loss by cleansing your body and improving your metabolism. In these nutrition plans, you are recommended to eat nutritious unprocessed foods such as fresh fruit or raw vegetables. You also will include grains, beans, nuts and lots of fluids such as water, tea, or other tonics.
During your detox diet plan you will need to cut out all processed foods, canned vegetables, caffeine, and smoking. No more junk food, chocolate, or over-indulging on alcohol. Detox diets are very restrictive and once you start you should follow it rigorously. Although detox diets are safe, you should consult with your doctor before starting.
There are many different types of detox diets available. The most extreme is a 3-day fast where you only drink water, juice or broth, or eating one kind of food for a specific amount of time. During the fast, your body will burn off fat for energy.
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