Do Detox Programs Work?

[TheBrew]

So as part of my goal to get into better shape, I saw a nutritionist. We went over workout programs, nutrition, water, yadda-yadda. He mentioned that I could possibly go through a detox program to clean out my system from the crap that I put through it that has built up over the many years of drinking sodas and eating fast-food.

So my questions are:

1) Is this legit? I am fairly wary of any kind of pills.

2) If it is, what should would be recommended?

I am not looking for a magic pill, just something to accompany my change in diet and exercise.

 

[smithaa02]

So as part of my goal to get into better shape, I saw a nutritionist. We went over workout programs, nutrition, water, yadda-yadda. He mentioned that I could possibly go through a detox program to clean out my system from the crap that I put through it that has built up over the many years of drinking sodas and eating fast-food.

So my questions are:

1) Is this legit? I am fairly wary of any kind of pills.

2) If it is, what should would be recommended?

I am not looking for a magic pill, just something to accompany my change in diet and exercise.

Yes, they work. There are different detox diets you can do... For starters I would recommend a colon cleanse. I know you don't want any pills, but the following product does uses natural ingredients: http://www.drnatura.com/ . Then if you want to get serious follow this up with the following cleanses: Heavy Metal Detox, Kidney Flush, Candida cleanse, Parasite cleanse, and Liver/Gall Bladder flush (just google them for more info).

Generally speaking when it comes to detox programs sugars, simple carbs, red meat, and preservatives are all bad. Good stuff includes high fiber foods, fruit, veggies, and nuts. For a more complete checklist read "Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know About".

I would also highly recommend a multi-vitamin. Most people actually gain weight because their bodies are actually defficient in one or more vitamins/minerals/lipids so the body over-reacts by demanding more food then it needs. There is a ton of research and debate out there over which multi's are the best and which don't work as advertised. I would recommand Life Force Multiple myself...

 

[RAMA]

So as part of my goal to get into better shape, I saw a nutritionist. We went over workout programs, nutrition, water, yadda-yadda. He mentioned that I could possibly go through a detox program to clean out my system from the crap that I put through it that has built up over the many years of drinking sodas and eating fast-food.

So my questions are:

1) Is this legit? I am fairly wary of any kind of pills.

2) If it is, what should would be recommended?

I am not looking for a magic pill, just something to accompany my change in diet and exercise.

Yes detox programs are helpful, but don't let people convince you they are cure-alls. Some are just simple herbs that have been shown to be effective at using your body's normal mechanisms to clean itself, so I wouldn't worry too much over the pills. In the case of colon cleanses they shouldn't act as a laxative, but simply remove more build up over time. Of course, you can also improve your diet and take more fiber, and that's something you could do from day to day. Another helpful thing you can do is exercise more. Exercise is actually part of your waste elimination. Digested food moves easier through the intensive with exercise, and of course, most people don't get enough exercise these days.

I just saw a documentary the other day about obesity and one woman had 30 pounds of undigested food in her intestine...

RAMA

 

[JoeZhang]

Eat better, move more and cut out the crap (sodas, processed food) from your diet. Detox as a concept is complete crap and the tablets are a scam - forget all that junk and work out a sensible eating and workout program instead.

Colon Cleaning is also a waste of time - only agree to have a hose up your ass if you are paying a dutch hooker.

 

[TheBrew]

So as part of my goal to get into better shape, I saw a nutritionist. We went over workout programs, nutrition, water, yadda-yadda. He mentioned that I could possibly go through a detox program to clean out my system from the crap that I put through it that has built up over the many years of drinking sodas and eating fast-food.

So my questions are:

1) Is this legit? I am fairly wary of any kind of pills.

2) If it is, what should would be recommended?

I am not looking for a magic pill, just something to accompany my change in diet and exercise.

Yes detox programs are helpful, but don't let people convince you they are cure-alls. Some are just simple herbs that have been shown to be effective at using your body's normal mechanisms to clean itself, so I wouldn't worry too much over the pills. In the case of colon cleanses they shouldn't act as a laxative, but simply remove more build up over time. Of course, you can also improve your diet and take more fiber, and that's something you could do from day to day. Another helpful thing you can do is exercise more. Exercise is actually part of your waste elimination. Digested food moves easier through the intensive with exercise, and of course, most people don't get enough exercise these days.

I just saw a documentary the other day about obesity and one woman had 30 pounds of undigested food in her intestine...

RAMA

I wasn't looking to it for a cure all. My plan is to hit a balanced cardio-weight program 3-4 times a week (on top of all the walking I normally do), cut out processed foods and instead of having a small-or-no breakfast, medium lunch and large dinner, I am going to have a large breakfast, medium lunch and light dinner with snacks in between. I am just looking to see if detox pills would be help in cleaning out my system from the crap I have pumped into it.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[JoeZhang]

I am just looking to see if detox pills would be help in cleaning out my system from the crap I have pumped into it.

The science is pretty clear about this, they do nothing that your liver will not do for free.

 

[CaptainHawk1]

Colon Cleaning is also a waste of time - only agree to have a hose up your ass if you are paying a dutch hooker.

Joe would you mind terribly if I used this as my sig?



-Shawn

 

[The Squire of Gothos]

Scientists dismiss detox myth;

The charitable trust Sense About Science reviewed 15 products, from bottled water to face scrub, and found many detox claims were "meaningless".

Anyone worried about the after-effects of Christmas overindulgence would get the same benefits from eating healthily and getting plenty of sleep, they said.

 

[JoeZhang]

Colon Cleaning is also a waste of time - only agree to have a hose up your ass if you are paying a dutch hooker.

Joe would you mind terribly if I used this as my sig?



-Shawn

I just saw it - thanks!

 

[CaptainHawk1]

Colon Cleaning is also a waste of time - only agree to have a hose up your ass if you are paying a dutch hooker.

Joe would you mind terribly if I used this as my sig?



-Shawn

I just saw it - thanks!

I didn't get a reply before I left work so I had to add it (moral imperative).

This says a lot because I haven't changed my sig in 4 years.

-Shawn

 

[RoJoHen]

In my experience, the best detox program is increasing the amount of water you drink throughout the day.

 

[smithaa02]

In my experience, the best detox program is increasing the amount of water you drink throughout the day.

This I'm not a fan of... I've read multiple sources that suggest drinking too much water causes Kidney damage: http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=378f85de-27de-4046-815e-293b772666e5

 

[RoJoHen]

Um...I never said drink "too much" water (I've actually had water poisoning before because I drank too much in a short period of time). Most people, even healthy people, simply do not drink enough water, and so their bodies don't work as well as they could.

 

[Captain Intrepid]

Just eat healthy and exercise. If you're really set on doing a detox, fast for a few days.

 

[JonathonWally]

Would a hardcore, nothing but fruit diet for 5 days really clean you out? Not that I'm interested in doing such a thing, but from what people have told me...

I'm in a lucky situation, I only really drink water and juice, not much of a soda drinker and the 1-2 glasses of soda I was drinking in the week, I cut out completely 6 months ago. For me, it's really just water, juices, teas; iced and hot.

Well that, beer a few times a month. I try not to over do it though. Try being the opperative word. I know beer is really fattening and really packs it on.

 

[RoJoHen]

I think eating nothing but fruit all week would just completely fuck up my bowel movements more than anything. I really don't see a benefit.