Body Cleanses and Weight Loss: Is There a Connection?
Article by Shan Perera
Do you want to lose weight? Although exercise and a healthy diet are the best approaches to take, many are starting to turn to body cleanses, also known as body detoxification. In recent years, multiple celebrities have brought weight loss and cleansing attention. As nice as it is to hear from a celebrity that you can lose weight with a body cleanse or detox, you may be wondering if this is true.
So, is there is a connection between detox and weight loss? Yes and no. It all depends on a number of important factors. These factors include:
The detox diet used. You may be surprised to hear how many ways there are to detox your body. Before you start a body detox plan, it is important to know your options. These options include water fasting, juice fasting, the Master Cleanse, the use of detox pills and patches, the consumption of all-natural foods, and exercise.
Water fasting, juice fasting, and the Master Cleanse are three popular detox diet methods. These methods are popular as they allow for the largest weight loss. This is due in part to the consumption of solid foods, as there is none. As enticing as it is to lose the most weight, fasting is not right for everyone. Those who are overweight, those who have become dependent on foods, and those with certain medical conditions may not only find it difficult to fast, but dangerous.
Organic only foods are an easy way to detox your body, as you are still able to eat, unlike with fasting. The detoxification process will be slower, but when you stop putting unnatural foods and chemicals into your body, it can begin to repair itself. If on an organic only detox diet, you may notice a slight weight loss. This is because all-natural foods are healthier.
The length of your detox diet. How long you detox for will impact your results, including weigh loss. Generally speaking, the longer you detox, the more weight you will lose. However, before you start a month long detox plan, it is important to know the risks.
When consuming organic only foods, your body still receives needed nutrients, for that reason cleanses can last much longer. With the Master Cleanse and juice fast, your body will lack nutrients, but it will still receive some. That is why detox lengths vary. Most recommend a week to two weeks, but always listen to your body and its warning signs. As for water fasting, extreme caution is advised. Your body will receive no nutrients at all. Too long, such as five days or more, and the risk of health complications arise.
Your weight. Your current weight will also impact your weight loss success on a detox diet. The more you weigh, the easier it will be for you to lose weight. For example, if you are 20 pounds overweight, you may lose weight on a detox diet. However, if you are at a healthy weight, you may not lose any weight at all.
Your lifestyle changes. As you can see, it is possible to lose weight with a body detox or cleanse. With that said, your weight can return just as easily as you lost it. When you start adding solid foods into your diet, you will automatically start to gain weight. You can, however, make healthy choices. By eliminating foods high in sugar, fats, and calories, or by making the switch to organic, you can maintain a healthy weight for years to come.
You can lose weight on a detox diet, but your results will vary. The main goal of a detox diet should be to improve your overall health and wellbeing. If you are solely interested in losing weight, this approach is not right for you. Remember, your weight loss may be significant, but it will only be temporary. Instead, rely on a combination of healthy eating and exercise.
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