If you are involved with the world of fitness and weight loss you have certainly heard people talk about detox diets and body detox. It is something of a buzz in certain circles. Body detox has quickly become one of the many options, along with a solid exercise program, of losing weight and restoring health.
Body detox is one way of removing toxins from your body to help your natural physiological systems process calories. By reducing the toxic load in your body, a body detox assists weight loss and fitness goals.
Even though body detox is a fairly popular idea, many of us do not really understand what goes into a healthy body detox. How do we detox in a way that is both healthy but also helps us lose weight? It is not enough to simply cut down on junk food and cocktails. We need to understand some of the science behind a body detox in order to achieve our goals in ways that are both productive and healthy.
This guide will give you the answers you need to lose weight with a body detox while also maintaining your health. We will explore the physiology that underpins a body detox so that you understand what you are doing when you take on a body detox program. This guide will also give you some practical direction on how to start a body detox.
How does Detox work?
First off, within the context of a body detox program, toxins are a fairly broad category of substances. Most often, what we mean by toxins are the chemicals typically found in foods that are synthetic and likely potentially damaging to your body. We also count things like alcohol and caffeine. Even though most of us drink coffee and alcoholic beverages responsibly, they are still toxins and can lead to long term strain on the body.
A body detox aims to provide you with a diet program that eliminates toxins from your diet while providing your body with nutrients and supplements that will assist your body in eliminating toxins from your system.
For example, a body detox will include fruit and vegetable juices that are packed with vitamins and other nutrients that flush your liver while also giving you the nutrition you require. Juices and supplements that are loaded with antioxidants, for instance, absorb and eliminate free radicals that can cause any number of physiological problems, including cancer.
Since you are taking in only the calories and nutrition necessary to support your system while going through a body detox, you will necessarily cut back on calorie consumption. This, combined with the accelerated metabolism that comes with detox elimination, leads to measurable weight loss.
What are Toxins?
Toxins are basically poisons. This sounds ominous, but the kinds of toxins that tend to accumulate in our bodies come from fairly ordinary and seemingly benign sources. Toxins are chemicals that cause damage to physiological systems. Most of us know that things like alcohol will damage the liver and kidneys if abused. But there are other toxins that are less obvious.
The kinds of toxins that tend to get into and build up our bodies come from a variety of sources. Some of these toxins we consume deliberately simply because adults enjoy indulgences. Some of the other toxins are from the kinds of synthetic additives that are commonly found in the food we eat.
Primary toxins include:
Alcohol
Although alcoholic beverages are a common indulgence for many of us, alcohol is a toxin and can cause serious damage to your kidneys and liver even in small quantities.
Caffeine
Again, this is another common beverage for most adults, and coffee is not necessarily bad for you. But caffeine does function as a toxin and can cause problems over time.
Refined vegetable oils
These are basically saturated fats and are one of the leading causes of obesity. Obesity is an epidemic in the United States and is associated with health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and even depression.
Trans Fats
Trans fats are among the most toxic things we can eat. These are made by pumping large amounts of hydrogen into unsaturated oils to produce solid fats.
The problem with trans fats is that the human body cannot recognize them as food. Trans fats are a foreign and toxic substance in our bodies. As a result, trans fats cause serious health problems.
Trans fats cause serious heart problems and inflammation. Studies have shown that trans fats increase markers of heart disease by as much as 73 percent. Still more, trans fats lead to inflammation of the heart which reduces its ability to function. Trans fats can also prevent arteries from properly dilating and this leads to potentially fatal heart attacks.
Bisphenol-A (BPA)
Bisphenol-A is a chemical commonly found in plastic containers and many food and beverages. It is primarily found in containers and packaging and leaches into foods and drinks. BPA mimics estrogen and blocks estrogen receptors. This disrupts normal functions and can lead to severe health problems. Even in small quantities, BPA is a potentially dangerous toxin.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Even though red meat is a great source of protein (and is delicious), it does contain high levels of PAHs which can cause cancer. PAHs are generally released during the cooking process. This allows these toxins to become free in your body with potentially dangerous effects.
These are some of the top toxins commonly found in our diet. Others include things like pesticides used in food production, a recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) which is used in the production of meat. Both of these things turn up in the foods we eat, and both are linked with many forms of cancer.
How does a detox work?
Our bodies are naturally adept at eliminating toxins. By giving your body a break from toxins substances you will allow normal processes to get to work and cleanse you of toxins. A body detox enhanced these natural processes by giving you exactly the things that stimulate liver and kidney function and help with the digestive system.
The first order of business is to cut out the things that bring toxins into your body. Cut out all alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and processed foods. Avoid all foods that contain processed added sugars. Get ready for your detox diet by drinking plenty of water. Lemon juice is a natural detox supplement so add fresh organic lemon juice to your water for added benefit.
An actual body detox diet will consist of fruit and vegetable juices that contain powerful natural supplements designed to accelerate elimination and enhance liver functions. These are often consumed in smoothies and other forms that may include nut milk to make them more satisfying.
A proper body detox regimen will include a balanced system of nutrients and vitamins to ensure that your body is getting what it needs while you pare down your diet to only the most basic requirements.
A carefully planned body detox will achieve two things. It will help your body get rid of toxins and restore your health. A body detox will also cut back on calories, carbs, and sugars and this helps you lose weight. The combined effect of a body detox is to alter your metabolism rate so that the weight you shed stays off. A good body detox will cut down things like unhealthy food cravings.
Are detoxes effective?
The science of the body detox is somewhat limited, but at least one study showed that body detoxes can produce some real results. One study of women found that a rigorous body detox resulted in significantly reduced body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, markers of inflammation, insulin resistance, and circulating leptin levels.
These results show real promise for the overall effects of body detox programs. The effects found in this study demonstrate benefits for the entire body. Everything from liver function to mental health improves with body detox.
Pros and Cons of Detoxing
The pros of working through body detox are many. However, like anything else, there are some downsides. Here are the pros and cons of body detox.
Pros
- Improves kidney and liver function
- Boosts energy
- Improves your mental and emotional health
- An effective way to begin a weight loss program
- Develop healthier eating habits
Cons
- Any strict dietary change can be a difficult adjustment
- Short-term side effects like bloating, gas, and diarrhea
- Not recommended for developing bodies, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing health conditions. The lack of protein may not be safe
- Not a long-term weight loss solution. You will need to develop a sustained healthy diet for continued weight loss and health
- As you weigh the pros and cons, consider your weight loss goals, your overall health, and how much you stand to gain from a body detox compared to the short-term sacrifices of going through a program like this.
Do Detox Drinks and Diets Work?
The simple answer to this question is yes. The only qualifier is that you need to be disciplined to make a body detox work. While much of the evidence for the effectiveness of a body detox is anecdotal, this is largely due to the lack of research on the processes of body detox.
One study demonstrated that women who sought to lose weight found real success through some version of body detox. The research in this case demonstrated significantly reduced body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, markers of inflammation, insulin resistance, and circulating leptin levels.
While there is room for more research on how well a body detox works for weight loss, the evidence so far suggests real promise. A body detox can reduce your weight and help keep that weight off.
Spartan Detox Plan
The downsides of a body detox can be avoided or alleviated by using a sound professional detox plan. Certainly, there are plenty of things out there that will profess to give you a body detox plan. But it is best for your overall health to go with a body detox plan that has science and experience behind it.
The best body detox plan available is the Spartan Detox Plan. Spartan offers several plans designed to meet your specific needs. Whether your goal is to lose weight or to bolster your immune system, Spartan Detox provides plans that include the juices and smoothies that will help you meet your goals.
Spartan Detox Plans are made from natural juices and smoothies are prepared every day using the best quality fruits outdoors offering an exceptional taste and drink experience that will help your body feel energetic.
Spartan Detox also provides support through your detox programs.
Conclusion
Even those of us who work hard at eating healthy will inevitably end up getting toxins in our diet. The way food is produced in our modern age, and the way food is stored and packaged are laden with toxic chemicals that cannot be entirely avoided.
Even if you go to great lengths to buy only the best natural and organic foods, the packaging itself could present toxins. These hazards are simply part of living in the 21st century. As a result, we end up with a build-up of toxins in our bodies. This puts a strain on the digestive system, the liver, and the kidneys. The effects will radiate through your entire body. These toxins affect everything from sleep and mental health to become causes of cancer.
Thankfully we now have body detox programs that will help rid our bodies of these toxins. One of the primary benefits of body detox is losing weight. A sound body detox program will offer the simultaneous benefits of losing weight and cleansing the body of dangerous chemicals.
Spartan Detox provides a range of options, each carefully planned to make sure you get the nutrition you require while helping lose weight and restore the health of your body and mind.
