Detox for Weight Loss – Rubbish!

Greetings folks. I am writing this post in reponse to questions I am receiving via my website concerning using detox programmes for weight loss. People are getting conflicting information about whether or not this practice works or if it is safe.

In my professional opinion detox programmes are a complete waste of time when it comes to losing bodyfat. You do lose “weight” when you do these programmes BUT it is mostly fluid and in some cases muscle tissue that you are losing. This is a reponse to you liver reacting to the programme among other physiological reactions. It is NOT a permanent weight loss and it will rebound and often with more weight than before hand and you also risk upsetting your metabolism further due to insulin issues created by some of the poorer designed programmes out there.

There are many factors that contribute to excessive weight gain and bodyfat retention and these need to be properly assessed by a physician. In some cases a detox programme could do more harm than anything else. The best way to detoxify your body if you have been over indulging is to simply cut out the excesses and focus on eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, raw where possible, and lean meats as well as wholegrains, nuts, seeds, legumes etc. Drink plenty of water and fresh squeezed juices and exercise regularly. You body is detoxifying itself all the time, if it didn’t you would die! One of the nice flow on effects of a lifestyle change like the simple one above is that your metabolism stabalises and returns to a more normal state and you see excess bodyfat being reduced.

Forget the “Detox Programmes” being flogged at your pharmacy or health food store a long with the “Weightloss” programmes at your pharmacy with their so called “Trained practitioners” nothing remotely good for you there. The practitioners are trained in the programme only, they are not trained health or natural health practitioners at all in most cases and the programmes are designed to make you lose weight in a similar fashion to the detox programmes, fluid loss and muscle loss, the rebound weight gain that inevitably comes once you can no longer afford the over priced programme is more than you had on in the first place.

A good place to go to lose weight is to see a nutritionist, dietician or naturopath. Proper measures and lifestyle changes will be implemented from the outset without the gimicks. I hope this makes things a little clearer for you all.

Be well.

Craig Hitchens. B.HSc. NESCP. Dip. Massage. Dip. Med.H. IICT Member