Detox is usually a January wellness trend as people look for ways of undoing unhealthy habits from the festive season. Unfortunately, many people blindly buy into the idea of detoxing with pills and juices which are most often marketed falsely. The truth is that there is no shortcut to undoing unhealthy habits. There is no pill, juice or tea that can cleanse a healthy body. Most cleansing claims are just marketing myths without any scientific backing.
Myth #1: Your Body Needs Help to Detox
Fact: Your body already has a well-functioning internal detox mechanism comprising of the liver, kidneys, lungs, the skin and the digestive tract. The liver breaks down substances into harmless products that can be filtered out by the kidneys and eliminated in urine. Lungs help to expel carbon dioxide while the digestive tract eliminates solid waste through the colon and rectum. As long as these organs are working well, you do not require any detox pill or juice. If these organs malfunction, then you need to see a doctor since no over- the- counter detox product can fix that.
Myth #2: Detox Medicines Cleanse Your Blood or Organs
Fact: No medicine can act as a general body cleanse. Most products that are marketed as such are either laxatives which induce diarrhea or diuretics which induce water loss from the body. What these products do is that they lead to fluid loss from the body which results in a temporary feeling of lightness. The weight drop you feel after using these products is because of losing body fluids and not toxins.
Myth #3: Herbal Detox Products Are Safer
Fact: Herbal does not always mean safe. Some herbal products can stress body organs like the liver and kidneys, interfere with prescription drugs and even worsen pre existing conditions. The reality is that most of these herbal products do not have scientific evidence to support their effectiveness and safety. Worse still, they are not properly regulated in Kenya and may even contain ingredients that are not approved. Some liver detox products have even been associated with drug induced liver injury because the liver has to overwork to process the products.
Myth #4: Detoxing Resets Your Body After Overindulgence
Fact: There is no medical shortcut that can fix unhealthy habits. In fact, the body should not be subjected to punishment but support. Extreme detoxing can result in dehydration, loss of electrolytes, low blood pressure or even worsening of pre-existing conditions.
Myth #5: Detox pills can instantly flush out all toxins
Fact: Detoxification is a continuous natural process hence there is no medication that can wash out all toxins in a flash. The kidneys, lungs, liver, skin and digestive system work continuously to eliminate waste from the body. Instead of using a pill as a quick fix, real lifestyle changes are encouraged. Sustainable healthy habits help the body to naturally self-regulate and stay healthy. Dependency on detox drugs can lead to misuse and eventual organ damage.
Are There Any Legitimate Medical “Detox” Treatments?
In medicine, detoxification is a process carried out under medical supervision, not a self-prescribed cleanse. Medical detox treatments exist for very specific purposes such as drug overdoses, alcohol toxicity and heavy metal poisoning. Clinically, detoxification is not used to cleanse blood or body organs, but to remove harmful substances from the body and manage critical conditions.
Examples where medication is used for detox
- Alcohol withdrawal: benzodiazepines are administered to prevent overactivity of the central nervous system.
- Opioid recovery : methadone and buprenorphine are administered to manage cravings by stabilizing brain chemistry.
- Poisoning: specific antidotes are used to protect the body from harm e.g. N- acetylcysteine is given for paracetamol overdose.
What Actually Supports Your Body’s Natural Detox Systems?
- Hydrating well to help kidneys filter out waste.
- Eating a balanced diet with adequate fiber from fruits and vegetables to support healthy bowel movements.
- Avoiding processed foods, alcohol and cigarette smoking.
- Getting adequate sleep to support cellular repair and waste elimination by the brain’s glymphatic system.
- Exercising regularly to improve circulation, organ function and flush out waste through sweat.
Final Dose of Clarity
A healthy body has natural detox pathways. Medications only support these natural detox systems in specific medical situations. The best way to support natural cleansing is through proper hydration, balanced diet, regular exercise and avoiding toxins.
If you constantly feel bloated, tired or unwell, do not detox blindly. Talk to a healthcare professional to check for any underlying conditions.
Enjoyed this post? Get more health insights straight to your inbox!
