Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Detox - "Legalized Lying"

Wow. This got me fired up. I heard about a study that was published on 680 news on my way home a couple of nights ago and have received a few emails from patients regarding the cbc version of the story.

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/01/06/detox-science.html

The study done was set out to explore detox claims attached to various consumer products. I have yet to go to the source to actually read the study but the cbc article fired me up!

As a board-certified naturopathic doctor that has gone to school for 8 years postsecondary to study anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, differential diagnosis, acupuncture, herbal medicine....... I have to agree there are many products on the market that claim to 'detox' that are just combinations of laxative herbs or whatever. It is consumer beware. However to imply there isn't such a process in the body as detoxification is misleading.

You can't expect to use a 'detox shampoo' or put your feet in a solution and expect to be 'detoxified'. There are actual biochemical reactions that happen in the liver as part of phase 1 and phase 2 detoxification that serve to make toxins or metabolites water soluble for proper excretion from the body. To 'detox' is not that easy.

As an ND I take a look at the food and lifestyle choices that people make and how it can be affecting their health. If and when I put someone on a detox it's primary focus is the food aspect of it. Everyone can benefit from eliminating caffeine, alcohol, and sugar for certain amounts of time. Some people like people with arthritis will benefit from eliminating inflammatory foods like tomatoes and eggplants and other night shades. Some foods can actually induce the phase 1 detox process in the liver whereas some foods can induce phase 2 processes.

There is proven biochemistry behind the detox process and to imply there isn't one is not correct. Just because something is 'natural', doesn't mean it's safe. One has to seek professional advice from someone that has spent years studying the biochemistry behind each vitamin or mineral or herb. You wouldn't get your neighbour to fix your plumbing so why would you entrust your neighbour with your healthcare?

I could go on and on and on but I have a patient waiting so I'm off!

1 comment:

Abigail said...

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