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A variety of
“detoxification” (“detox”) diets and regimens—also called “cleanses” or
“flushes”—have been suggested as a way to remove toxins from your body or lose
weight. They may involve a variety of approaches, including fasting, consuming
only juices or other liquids for several days, and cleansing the colon (lower
intestinal tract) with enemas, laxatives, or colon hydrotherapy (also called
“colonic irrigation” or “colonics”).
Be aware that there isn’t
any convincing evidence that detox/cleansing programs actually remove toxins
from your body or improve your health. Weight loss on a detox diet may occur
simply because these diets are often very low in calories.
Even more important, some
detox products or procedures may be harmful to your health. The side effects of
some procedures, such as colon cleansing, can be serious. And diets that
severely restrict calories or food choices usually don’t lead to lasting weight
loss and may not provide all the nutrients you need.
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