Heart

Living a healthy life requires a lot of effort, perhaps because of this that sometimes "shortcuts" can feel so tempting. This shortcut often comes in the form of a detox aka "detox", a method known to make the body healthier without the need for strenuous efforts.

Some common detox methods include limiting calorie intake, drinking large amounts of fluids, fasting, or taking large amounts of certain supplements.

Margareth MacIntosh, an acupuncture practitioner and doctor working in the field of traditional Chinese medicine in Canada, explains that extreme dietary changes often cause more adverse effects than beneficial ones. Turmeric detox is one example. In small amounts, turmeric is beneficial for health, but if consumed in excess, turmeric can actually cause anxiety and sleep disorders.

Basically, the body already has its own mechanism to get rid of toxins in the body. To optimize this function, you only need to adopt a healthy lifestyle, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, and consuming adequate amounts of water.

Too much fluid is not good for the body

You must have heard of one detox method that recommends consuming as much water as possible. However, did you know that consuming too much water can cause you to experience hyponatremia?

Hyponatremia is a condition when your blood contains too little sodium, which causes the cells in your body to swell. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, headache, disorientsai, fatigue, muscle cramps, seizures, even coma. The degree of severity can vary widely and can quickly become life threatening.

The fasting detox didn't solve the problem either

Detox diets that recommend fasting actually apply the concept of autophagy. Autophagy is a process of destroying cell components that are no longer needed in the body. This process is stimulated by fasting and has become a trend in the dieting world as a way to lose weight.

If you are looking to lose weight, then a detox diet may be able to help you lose weight. But remember that you will likely gain weight again once your detox diet stops. Apart from losing weight in an unhealthy way, in the end you are actually doing nothing to achieve your weight.

Is detox good for certain medical conditions?

Detox is actually not good for people with certain medical conditions, it can even be very dangerous for them. There are no studies showing that detox can help improve blood pressure or cholesterol levels, or even have a positive effect on the heart. Even for diabetics, detox can be very dangerous. Any diet that strictly restricts food intake can lead to low blood sugar in the body.

The only method that might be of any benefit might be a detox method that focuses solely on healthy foods. This method may be useful for those of you who have high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, and also heart disease. However, keep in mind that you still have to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Healthy lifestyle is the key

Many detox methods also recommend using laxatives or limiting your calorie intake to flush out toxins in the body. Those using this method may indeed experience significant weight loss within a short period of time. However, still, you may not detox for 365 days a year, and adopting a healthy lifestyle is still the best way.

Experts also say that you should avoid products that you already know can be toxic to your body, such as alcohol and cigarettes. Also, of course eating a balanced diet, exercising, getting enough rest, and drinking adequate amounts of water are key. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, it means that you have optimized the detoxification system that is already in your body. Remember, depending on an extreme short-term diet can do more harm than good.