Cracking the alluring myth of detox
NOPE RIGHT OUT OF THERE! It’s high time this alluring myth is buried and forgotten
HAVE YOU BEEN urged to munch on carrots for improved night vision? Or warned to avoid the pool after a meal for fear of cramps? And here’s a precious one: that organic foods are way better for the body and completely free of pesticides? These well-intentioned whimsies crumble under scientific scrutiny, but the notion of the detox remains as stubborn as your mother’s belief in eight glasses of water a day.
To give away the plot, there is no such remedy as an over-the-counter detox. Or a week-long fruits and vegetable cleanse to rid the body of “toxins”.
In fact, don’t even bother moving down this article. Reining in your gluttony and a consistent exercise regime is all you need to get, and stay, healthy.
DON’T BE FOOLED BY THE ADVERTISING
The detox industry is a sultry tempter that coos about how you can rinse away fat. Or recharge your metabolism by ridding the body of chemical build-ups after years of consuming processed foods. But there is absolutely no truth in the concept of flushing out toxins and freshening up one’s internal organs for improved performance. It’s a brilliant marketing ploy that spins fallacious generalizations with pseudo-science, to sell you sachets of detox tea or my personal favourite, the Hollywood 24-Hour Miracle Weight Loss Detoxifying Shake.
The only instance where the word detox is used by medical professionals, refers to treatment of individuals so hooked on drugs it becomes a matter of life or death. Everyone - from blue chip pharmaceutical companies to wily entrepreneurs to outright fraudsters - have jumped on the bandwagon because consumers are stubbornly intent on quick health fixes. Nobody is turned on by the fact that a greasy burger takes two minutes to eat and three intense hours to burn off.
If indeed the body was harboring toxins or life-draining molecules of any sort, hospitalization is your only hope. There is nothing so horrible in your body that your kidneys, liver, skin and even lungs cannot eradicate. And if you wanted to take a load off these organs, simply limit your intake of said hamburgers or fried foods.
EXACTLY WHAT TOXINS AGAIN?
Would it surprise you to know the peddlers of detox experiences have not named or labelled a single “toxin”? These life-decaying compounds that hide all over your body, that hold you back from your true potential, that require so much purging… have never been identified and therefore measured to determine treatment/ product efficacy. And yet, the global detox market was valued at USD 51 billion in 2019.
For sure smoking and environmental hazards can unbalance bodily functions and trigger a range of diseases, but if someone told you a curated series of cold-pressed juice blends can rectify that... you should be calling bull-shizzle. Unless a person is suffering from some vitamin/mineral deficiency or poisoning, there’s really no reason to cleanse your body of anything.
Sometimes, the issue is simply that celebrities have more clout than lowly doctors. The Kardashian have promoted everything from detox teas and flat tummy shakes to appetite suppressing lollipops. Cardi B has tweeted about herbal concoctions that quickly clears her system and pushes everything out her voluminous bum. Demi Lovato who regularly offers sermons about body positivity has promoted a 30-day shake cleanse under the hashtag #selflove. Deceptive marketing much?
THANK HEAVENS FOR YOUR LIVER
Here’s another surprising fact: the human liver is a complex organ with over 500 vital functions. For our purposes, we’re focused on two things - its foremost task of breaking down fat-soluble compounds and converting those into watersoluble ones that your body can absorb - and secondly, it detoxifies chemicals that enter through our diet, eyes, skin, and nose.
Once our cells have had their fill of nutrients, the liver ensures waste is secreted properly in the form of faeces, urine, or bile. Free radicals from external sources like cigarettes or internal functions are gradually destroyed by antioxidant enzymes. If the body reckons there’s more chemicals to detoxify, it just creates more enzymes. And while the liver handles most of the heavy lifting, other specialized cells also contribute to the detoxification process.
Instead of spending your cash and energy on detox courses, exercise regularly (five times a week for 30mins each session), stay away from high-sugar foods, and maintain an optimum weight. Eating healthy also provides all the vitamins and minerals required to support detoxification processes, along with the function of enzymes. Plus, you’ll be happy to know a glass of wine every other day is good for you; studies have shown moderate drinkers living longer than heavy bingers or teetotallers.
THE CRUX OF THE STORY
The human body is universally equipped to heal itself of broken cells and harmful chemicals. You can trust your body to perform detoxification duties whether you’re on a fast, feasting like a gourmand or on a long night out on the town. Your job is allow your body to perform its natural functions without over-taxing it, instead of running after detox-fads that do almost nothing of consequence.