Fast, Detox, Cleanse: New Age, Same Starvation Diets

Self magazine has a lengthy article posted on MSNBC.com on the dangers of cleansing and detoxing. Described as “disordered techniques that cross old-school self-starvation with New Age mind-body rhetoric,” Self exposes the dangers and health hazards behind these new age diets.

…cleanses, detoxes and fasts can lead to some very real physical hazards, especially because they’re often done without the supervision of a doctor or qualified nutritionist. “They can really dehydrate you or rob your body of potassium and other electrolytes,” says Julie Eltman, R.D., a holistic nutritionist in Los Angeles. Over time, or even within minutes, electrolyte imbalance can cause heart problems, organ damage and more. Another potential danger: colonics — enemas intended to “wash out” the intestines — which frequently go hand in hand with fasting. Performed regularly, colonics can kill the good bacteria in your intestinal tract that are supposed to protect against infection, compromising your immune system; they also can disrupt nerve and muscle function in the bowel. “I see some people who get their colon cleansed every week and can’t go to the bathroom without it,” Eltman says.

Potential enema dependence, a weakened immune system, organ failure — these are high prices to pay for what amounts to only fleeting weight loss, says Reardon, who stresses that however many pounds you lose during a fast or cleanse, they’re almost guaranteed to return rapidly. “You initially lose only water weight, then you start breaking down muscle protein,” Reardon explains. “It’s minimal fat loss.” And frequent fasting can slow your metabolism, making it easier to put on pounds later. Ultimately, those who repeatedly fast and cleanse set themselves up for a life of yo-yo dieting, weight regain and the health problems that can come with it, such as heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.

After significant health problems for some and near death experiences for others, most come back to the fundamental basics of losing weight.

After enduring multiple cleanses and restrictive diets and watching her figure go from overweight to thin and back again, Milne had a wake-up call during a cleanse when she tried to stand up from her couch and fainted. Recognizing her body wasn’t functioning the way it should, she finally settled into a healthy diet — a logical mix of lean proteins, whole grains, fruit and veggies, easy on the bad carbs and sugar — and a slender size 8 or 10. “I’m not perfect. Sometimes nothing quite beats the blues like a Big Mac,” Milne laughs. “But I’ve been that skinny size 4, and I hated myself more than when I was more than 200 pounds. I was so wrapped up in self-image, but now I recognize a huge part of being happy is accepting my body the way it is.”

Read the entire article.

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