Our world is overflowing with food like our publications are overflowing with flawless, photoshopped individuals. Street corners are filled with fast-food chains, and because most people live a fast-paced lifestyle, they are forced to consume unhealthy cuisine.
A method of dealing with this unhealthy intake is detoxification, the cleansing and elimination of toxins in your body. However, the process has a fair share of advantages and disadvantages.
The main justifications for detoxification are physical and mental healing.
It increases energy, improves mental clarity, clears the skin of unwanted blemishes and allows a respite from harmful foods that have been consumed.
Not only does detoxification assist the body with these treatments, it restores health, alleviates food addictions, producing quick and visible results.
“I did the Master Cleanse for 10 days,” said Analy Garcia, a fourth-year communication student. “For those 10 days, I strictly drank a mixture of water, Grade B maple syrup, cayenne pepper and pure lemon juice. It was really hard, like painfully hard. I think I even cried once because I was craving so much food.”
At the end of the detoxification, Garcia was proud of herself for losing 10 pounds and two pant sizes.
Others even noticed that her skin looked clearer.
According to Cherie Calbom’s “Juicing, Fasting, and Detoxing for Life,” our bodies are able to handle a certain amount of toxicity because we have immune systems and organs designed to clean out many of these toxic substances.
However, once the immune system and organs become overwhelmed by the huge amounts of toxins we ingest, substances not broken down are stored in the intestines, gallbladder, kidneys, liver, fat cells and skin. This toxin build-up will eventually begin affecting energy levels, moods, sleep and the immune system.
There are many detox programs on the market that focus on items to purchase, which can be quite expensive. However, there are other detoxing procedures like juicing or water fasting that are just as effective and wallet-friendly.
“I didn’t have to spend too much money, and I felt really good,” said Garcia. “I cleaned out my colon, flushed my toxins and overall, felt healthier. I’ve even lost my craving for red meat and gained a great deal of energy. I was outrunning my friend who usually [outruns] me.”
Although detoxification can be a beneficial practice, it is necessary to understand the entire process and be aware of its downfalls.
“I think that detoxing once every six months or so is OK,” said Sharonda Wallace, a health and nutrition professor. “Fasting alone is unhealthy, but a short detox of only fruits and vegetables is better, especially after the holidays, because people tend to binge and indulge in foods that are not part of their normal routine.”
During a detox, the body may experience hunger, headaches, frequent urination or withdrawals from caffeine intake. Even if these factors cause concern, they are a part of the body’s natural healing process.
The hardest and most important part of a detox is coming off a fast as well as keeping the weight off while maintaining a healthy diet after the program.
“It’s been about a month and I gained two pounds back,” said Garcia. “I kept most of the weight off but I expected this to happen because I went from strictly drinking liquids back to solids.”
Once the digestive system is ready for solids again, the desire for food will be stronger than ever.
It is essential to refrain from eating too much at once because this can upset the stomach or cause the body to go into shock.
“When you fast, you slow down your metabolism, forcing it into starvation mode, which eventually makes it easier to gain weight,” said Wallace. “People don’t understand that. Some of these diets can be very dangerous. They can throw off your electrolytes, your sodium and potassium levels. As a result, the imbalance can lead to heart attack.”
Although a heart attack is rare, it is important for the balance of electrolytes in your body to be maintained.
The balance of electrolytes affects the amount of water in your body, blood pH, muscle movement and other important processes.
“People may think, ‘Yeah, I know what I’m doing,’ but at the end of the day, they are doing a lot more harm to their bodies than good,” said Wallace.
There can also be a psychological impact on an individual from dropping weight so quickly and gaining it back.
This can lead to feelings of failure, depression or an obsessive attitude towards weight loss.
For these reasons, it’s important to recognize when to end a detox and to listen to the body.
“My fear is that when students take part in fasting, it will give them a kick start into eating disorders,” said Wallace. “Honestly, all you need to do is be cautious of your food intake and exercise at least 30 minutes a day. As college students, you need the proper nutrients and the proper fitness to maintain a healthy diet. It’s simple.”