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Ask the Dietitian

By Carolyn Nasca, M.S., R.D.

Before you purchase any “detox” or “colon cleansing” products, you might want to read this first.

Question:  I am thinking of going on a detox program to lose weight and cleanse my body of impurities.  As a Registered Dietitian, what advice can you give me?

Answer:  Humans have been detoxifying and purifying their bodies for centuries; using a variety of methods such as herbs, enemas, potions, saunas, etc.  Yes, you can lose weight quickly, but that is mostly water loss, meaning it is coming from your lean body tissue, which you certainly want to keep.  Our bodies are quite efficient and do a remarkable job of detoxifying. This is one of the major functions of the liver and also involved in ridding us of impurities are the lungs, colon, kidneys and the lymphatic system. 

There is an organization, Natural Standard, whose function is to analyze and validate scientific data on integrative medicine (the combination of traditional medicine with alternative medicine.)  Natural Standard states that “there is insufficient evidence to support most of the claims that support detoxing.” Most mainstream medical professionals do not endorse the notion of detoxing.

The following is a partial list of ways you can “detox” in a natural sense:

• avoid processed foods
• filter your own drinking water
• don’t smoke
• avoid insect sprays
• pay attention to the air pollution index

And finally, there are many risks to self-prescribed detox regimens, i.e., bowel perforation, muscle loss, nutrient deficiencies and dehydration, to name a few.  If you plan to use these products, consult a Registered Dietitian (RD) who can ensure that you don’t harm yourself by using dangerous products.