Toxin is a word that terrifies us. The idea of removing toxins using various therapies sounds refreshing and well worth trying. Unfortunately, detoxification therapies are nothing more than myths.
Detoxifying your body with foods and drinks is now a popular trend. We have become obsessed with the idea of a ‘detox’. ‘Green superfood detox’, ‘fast liver detox’, ‘nine natural detoxifying foods’, ‘detox roti’, ‘clean colon drinks’ — the detox ‘industry’ has invaded the wellness sector and is growing exponentially. Detox therapy advocates the belief that the body can be purged of alcohol, smoking, and drugs through specific treatments. However, the concept that you can cleanse your body after a party, festival, or binge-eating weekend is a myth in medical science. It’s a scam that’s tied up to our rational thinking.
There is an infinite number of detox foods, supplements and drinks available in the Indian market that claim to cleanse your body, remove toxins from your system, or help you lose weight. Detox products include herbs, juices, teas, and other dietary supplements promising to cleanse the colon and liver. Often these products are not regulated by a competent authority to assess safety and efficacy. Additionally, most detox products that claim to promote weight loss, fail to provide sound scientific evidence to support long-term benefits. Consequently, consuming these ‘magic’ elixirs, made from unregulated ingredients, poses a serious threat to health with limited to no benefit.
The body detoxes itself
We consume environmental toxins every day and our bodies also produce some toxins as a byproduct of digestion and metabolism. Specific physiological processes help remove these toxins from our body via the liver, lungs, kidneys, and the digestive system without requiring external ‘detoxification agents’.
Detox products primarily target liver cleansing. Protein is metabolised in the liver to produce ammonia, which can be toxic to the body if present in large amounts. By converting ammonia into urea, the liver releases it via urine from the body.
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