Detox Deceptions

  I am always approached by someone doing a week-long "detox." Essentially, a week of some shakes advertised on TV to "cleanse" their system of "poisons."
   I'm always skeptical, because I feel the person would be better to have solid, healthy foods in reduced amounts, if they are looking to lose weight and get healthier after a Holiday binge. If you are on an extremely reduced calorie intake, you don't have the energy to workout, and even all fruits and vegetables for a week don't give you enough of a variety of nutrients for optimum health.
   However, the people telling me this have already decided on their "cleanse" and tend to have a missionary's zeal in proselytizing about it. "Go for it," I say. However, I've never seen a permanent change in anyone who's tried it.
    If after a week, you drift back into the eating or drinking patterns that prompted you to do this in the first place, what did it accomplish?
  My thoughts on the matter were backed up by a recent Washington Post article entitled "Don't let detox diets deceive you in 2017," by Ellie Krieger.
   Ms. Krieger interviewed author Rebecca Katz, the founder of the Healing Kitchens Institutes on the matter. Among other titles, Ms. Katz authored "The Cancer Fighting Kitchen: Nourishing, Big Flavor Recipes for Cancer Treatment and Recovery."
    She had a humorous line concerning the question of whether our bodies built up toxins during the weeks of holiday partying. "A toxin is a substance that's considered poisonous, so unless those extra cookies you've been eating over the holidays are laced with arsenic, I don't think you have to "detox" on Jan. 1st," Katz said. "Besides our bodies are designed to detox 24/7."
    She feels the word "detox" has been totally overused and misconstrued by marketers of unproven products. The best products to detox are whole fruits and vegetables.
   Detoxification within the body is through our liver and kidneys, she explains. The liver breaks down harmful compounds  and converts them into water-soluble molecules that can be flushed from the system. If the liver is operating properly (and hasn't been damaged by alcohol or drug abuse) ordinary toxins will flow along the body's liquid waterways and will be excreted each time we go to the bathroom.
   Among other nutrients, Katz recommends lots of dietary fiber to keep the liver functioning smoothly, and lots of water, herbal teas, or broths for optimal kidney function.
    Simple, long-term changes in your eating habits, and nothing too drastic. That's what I always recommend, but then again, I'm not selling anything to "supplement" my income!