USC Health Now

Designed to rid the body of toxins and jumpstart weight loss, detox diets have become increasingly trendy in recent years. Here, a USC expert shares the skinny on this popular approach to achieving a better body.

by Carrie St. Michel

“There is no upside to these diets.”

Without missing a beat, Roger Clemens, Dr.P.H., adjunct professor of pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences at the USC School of Pharmacy, offers this unflinching assessment when asked about the benefits of detox diets.

While growing numbers of consumers have been clamoring for these concoctions—sales of herbal detoxing products alone netted more than $28 million last year—Clemens counters, “These approaches are contrary to scientific consensus as well as medical evidence and are not consistent with the principle that diets should reflect balance, moderation and variety.”

Detox diets generally feature none of the above. While specific regimen requirements vary, most detox diets share a common theme of extremely low-calorie, primarily liquid meals. Some, for example, advise users to consume only specially formulated drinks or raw foods, while others require cutting out carbs, sweets and proteins for a specified period—anywhere from a few days to an entire month.

Topping the detox diet popularity list is Master Cleanse. The most searched for recipe on Google.com last year, Master Cleanse’s centerpiece beverage unites the seemingly unpalatable combination of lemon juice, maple syrup, water and cayenne pepper.

According to detox devotees, the payoff for slurping down such unconventional potions is a body flushed free of toxins derived from pollution, cigarette smoke, alcohol, caffeine and processed foods. Regimen followers claim to reap additional rewards in the form of improved health, more luminous skin and a svelte silhouette.

According to Clemens, however, there’s just one little hitch: “There is absolutely no clinical or scientific data that supports any of these claims. No such data has even been submitted to the Food and Drug Administration.”

While Clemens concedes that weight loss may well result, given that those detoxing are probably expending more calories than they’re consuming, it’s likely that pounds lost will return once the regimen is abandoned.

Other claims made by detox-diet fans are equally misleading. For example, many report feeling less bloated; that’s simply because they’re eating less food. Those who testify to glowing skin are experiencing the benefits of improved hydration rather than detoxification. As for detox enthusiasts who report a reduction in headaches, chances are the improved cranial condition can be traced to decreased consumption of alcohol and caffeine.

Clemens’ overriding concern, however, is that detox diets can be downright dangerous.

“The biggest danger is nutrient insufficiency from protracted starvation,” he explains. “Americans have a tendency to believe that if some is good, then more is better. This is a very dangerous mindset,” he adds, “when it comes to these types of diets. For example, if the diet is supposed to be followed for 10 days, someone might conclude that it would be even better to follow it for 40 days. That’s when a serious medical situation could result.”

Clemens further cautions, “These diets give you a false sense of security. People think they’re doing something healthy, when they’re actually doing something detrimental.”

Other potential downsides of detox diets include:
• weight can be lost too quickly (not only is this unhealthy, but weight lost rapidly is more likely to return)
• muscle breakdown
• blood-sugar problems
• significant loss of electrolytes
• fatigue
• frequent, liquid bowel movements
• nausea
• vomiting
• decreased ability to fight infections
• a feeling of deprivation (which can lead to binge eating)

While Clemens is convinced that no one should jump on the detox bandwagon, he points out that these diets could prove particularly harmful to certain populations, including: children and adolescents; pregnant or breastfeeding women; individuals with impaired renal function, heart disease, diabetes, bowel disorders or chronic conditions; and those taking blood thinners.

Summing up his stance on detox diets, Clemens observes, “Humans have been endowed with extraordinary systems for eliminating waste and regulating body chemistry. Our lungs, kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract and immune system are effective in removing or neutralizing toxic substances within hours of consumption. These detox regimens,” he emphasizes, “just aren’t necessary. Our bodies are wonderfully well made.”