A detox diet, no matter how it is put together is designed to clear out your colon and rid your digestive system of toxins which tend to accumulate in the bowels and the intestine. They are not designed for weight loss and should not be used for that purpose.

What generally happens is that people will lose some weight and be quite happy with that but it is not guaranteed by any means. Detox diets usually begin with a few days of fasting which allows the body to concentrate on the toxins you are attempting to get rid of without having to break down new food items.

The dieter generally subsists on water, juices, teas and possible some light vegetable broth. The simple fact that you’ll be fasting for a few days will bring your weight down slightly. Following this is a period of re-introducing solid food back into the diet. First, an increase in vegetables, then small amounts of protein and some carbohydrates.

While detoxifying, the major organs involved, the kidneys, liver and colon are usually supplemented with tonics in pills or herbal tea.

Detoxifying is not just for ex-smokers or drinkers. Many times a detox diet is prescribed in order to isolate a food allergy. For this reason, wheat, dairy and meat products are not consumed in the beginning stages of the diet. They can be reintroduced one by one in order to discover which food item the patient is allergic to.

For the majority of individuals, however, detoxing is more about the removal of toxins and can take as long as two weeks to happen but can be as quick as one or two days. You should consult with your doctor before undertaking any drastic changes to your diet. You wouldn’t want to aggravate an underlying condition that might surface during a detoxifying regimen.

Your initial few days of a detox diet will be extremely low in calories which can cause low blood sugar and faint feelings in the healthiest of people. Diabetics are not encouraged to start an unsupervised detox plan for this reason. This type of diet should never be imposed upon teens or children. It can be extremely dangerous for growing bodies to fast. They need more nutrients than grown adults can comprehend consuming.

Be wary of any detox program that provides supplements that are only fiber, usually listed as psyllium husks. You may very well need laxatives, however, they should be a part of your supplementation, not the entirety of it. Any time you increase your fiber consumption, increase your water consumption as well.

All that being said, a standard detox diet for an otherwise healthy adult should have no ill effects. In fact, you should notice an increase in energy level and more restful sleep. Due to the low calorie intake, you should only engage in low intensity exercise like yoga or walking. No matter how healthy you are, you should, however, confer with a doctor before you start to ensure the healthiest result.