To Detox or not to Detox

Chances are we all stepped into the New Year with one common resolution: shed the extra pounds. I mean, you've heard of a muffin top, but this one resembles more of a mountaintop.

Your first reaction is to pair that new hefty wokout schedule with a detox. (Read: starve yourself) But we've been here before. Quick and easy ain't the way to go. Here’s why:

A Dangerous Diet

Fasting and extreme detoxing are at best ineffective, and at worst potentially dangerous. These “cleansing diets” can deplete the intestines of the healthy bacteria essential for digestion, lead to the loss of lean muscle tissue, and create emotional and physical stress. But how can something that feels so good be so bad?

The Detox High

Peter Pressman, MD, an internal medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, says that, “The body already has multiple systems in place—including the liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract—that do a perfectly good job of eliminating toxins from the body within hours of consumption.” And what about that boost of energy and sense of euphoria that some detoxers experience? Pressman says, “The feeling is actually a reaction to starvation. It likely evolved as a way to help a person evade threats and locate food.”

Eating With Attention

Ditch the diet and approach eating in a way that promotes long-term health benefits. Apinya Pokachaiyapat, owner and founder of the popular Culver City-based wellness center, RakSa, recommends “eating with attention,” which includes:

• Breathing while you eat to allow the body to become more alkaline (acid foods tends to promote the aging of cells)
• Chewing your food slowly to create more saliva, more enzymes, and better digestion
• Finding your true "full" moment (before you become “over full”)
• Really tasting your food–you’ll eat less when you use all of your senses

The Joy of Food

Apinya also believes that you can help your body naturally detox by creating joy around the act of eating. Focus on the pleasure of the smaller things such as the smell of fresh mint, the perfect tomato from the farmer’s market, or hosting a potluck dinner with friends.

Letting Go

Emotional toxins such as anger and resentment can cause serious health issues if you allow them to accumulate over time. Instead of holding on to the fear of dying alone in a home filled with cats, let these emotions “bubble up” to the surface, acknowledge them, and then release.  

Variety Is The Spice Of Life

The key to good health is to avoid extreme measures. When you severely limit the type and amount of food you consume it puts unnecessary stress on the body that can depress the immune system. Eating a wide range of richly colored fruits and vegetables provides the body with a complete set of vitamins and nutrients. Remember to choose organic and in-season foods such as butternut squash, tomatoes, pumpkin, Swiss chard and beets. Also limit your intake of refined carbohydrates and caffeine, along with the usual suspects such as high fructose corn syrup, processed foods, and alcohol. Before you know it, you'll be saying buh-bye to that mountaintop.

RakSa Wellness Center is based in Los Angeles, Calif. and specializes in 4- to 12-week holistic detox, stress relief and weight loss programs. If you're interested in a consultation or customized detox plan that fits your lifestyle, email info@raksasala.com or call 310-559-7200.


Susan Emmer, FOOD Feature Editor
Susan is a certified whole health educator and coach treading on both wellness and green terrain. Earning an environmental studies degree before green was the new black, Susan is the co-owner of the boutique sustainability marketing and PR firm, Farmacy Agency. Follow her on Twitter at @wellnewsnetwork.