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Home » Diets that Work » Don’t fall for so-called detox diets, eat your veggies (and fruit) – The Oakland Press

I chuckle when I think about a tweet years ago from famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson: The likelihood that a person uses the word toxin correlates strongly with how much Chemistry the person does *not* know (punctuation his).

We are pummeled by that word and its cousin detox. Despite that, those who know chemistry agree some foods and drinks are more protective than others. So is there anything true or helpful about the notion of detoxing?

I posed that question to Rebecca Katz, author and founder of the Healing Kitchens Institute. She is the author of The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen: Nourishing, Big-Flavor Recipes for Cancer Treatment and Recovery and Clean Soups: Simple, Nourishing Recipes for Health and Vitality. I asked her, by phone and email, for her insights on detoxing.

Q: Do our bodies actually built up toxins during weeks of holiday partying?

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A: A toxin is a substance thats considered poisonous, so unless those extra cookies youve been eating are laced with arsenic, I dont think you have to detox. Besides, our bodies are designed to detox 24/7. If they didnt, we wouldnt survive.

Q: So we dont need to do something drastic to correct for all the sugar and alcohol we consumed?

A: Going on a seven-day juice cleanse in the middle of the winter is not how your body is going to necessarily detox from feasting over the holidays. You can engage in the occasional feast if you take care of yourself throughout the year. Cutting back on sugar and highly processed foods and adding ample vegetables to your plate year-round will enhance your bodys ability to do its own self-cleaning.

Q: How do you think the word detox has been misused?

A: The word has been so overused in the marketing of products that ... people tend to either recoil or think they have to go on some severe, punishing cleanse. Marketers who peddle goods that promise to detox your body, especially in a limited amount of time, are usually fear mongering and playing on our vulnerabilities to sell products. The best products I know for enhancing our bodies ability to detox dont have fancy packaging or labels. They are the fruits and vegetables in the produce section.

Q: How does detoxification actually work in our bodies?

A: The liver and kidneys do much of the heavy lifting of removing harmful substances from our bodies. The liver breaks down harmful compounds everything from pesticides to alcohol and converts them into water-soluble molecules so they can be flushed from your system. If the detox process is efficient and if you are generally healthy and eat well, it will be ordinary toxins roll merrily along through the bodys liquid waterways, exiting most often as either urine or bile.

Q: How can we optimize our bodies natural detoxification systems?

A: There are plenty of nutrients that keep the body happy, including one you may not expect: fiber. Some of the final products of detoxification are heavy metals from the environment. If everything is working right, those heavy metals hitch a ride out of the body with dietary fiber. Another way we can optimize the bodys natural detox system is by staying well hydrated. Studies show that the more water, broths and herbal teas we drink, the better the kidneys flush numerous metabolic byproducts. Also, adding colorful plants rich in phytonutrients will go a long way to strengthening your immune system and vacuuming out unwanted compounds.

Q: What are some of the top detoxifying foods, and why?

A: This is my shortlist of delectable foods that enhance our bodies natural detoxifying process. Each is full of powerful antioxidants, phytochemicals, and antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that keep our metabolic and immune systems running smoothly: Artichokes, avocados, asparagus, beets, cilantro, mint, parsley, all the cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli (particularly broccoli sprouts), cauliflower, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, wasabi, horseradish, radishes, turnips, kale, cabbage, arugula, garlic, onions and lemons all help our bodies haul out the livers metabolic trash.

Falling in love with vegetables, herbs and spices natures best cleaning crew will boost your bodys ability to rid itself of internal debris. In the kitchen, that might mean adding some freshly chopped herbs to your plate or a spritz of lemon in your tea, roasting some broccoli, or sauteing garlic and onions as the base of a soup or sauce. Every little shift counts.

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Don't fall for so-called detox diets, eat your veggies (and fruit) - The Oakland Press

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Home » Diets that Work » Don’t fall for so-called detox diets, eat your veggies (and fruit) – The Oakland Press