I work on a very basic premise: people who make positive claims should be able to back them up with supporting evidence. Where I come from, “toxins” have names and chemical structures. Above all, they’re measurable. So where’s the evidence that “detoxing” actually eliminates one’s bioburden of environmental “toxins” (actually, toxicants)? Where’s the evidence that people who perform these measures actually live longer or healthier lives than those who simply cut the crap out of their diets?

Now, I don’t discount the placebo effect at all. As noted elsewhere on the blog, this is a very legit phenomenon. And ritual “cleanses” may – in fact- help some people make a break with old, destructive habits. Some people respond better to “all or nothing” directives vs. chronic discipline, so a “cleanse” may actually be psychologically easier for some to deal with. So I won’t knock it from that perspective.

But the problem that I have with placebos, is that their success encourages a belief in magical thinking. In this case, you have to believe you’re doing something good for your body, in the absence of any legitimate evidence that this is so. This is why “prescribing” placebos is a real ethical minefield for doctors - they may help their patients, but only at the cost of their honesty and integrity.

In other words, a placebo treatment is based on an abuse of trust. It’s a lie… and a potentially destructive one, at that, as the short-term benefits may eventually be outweighed by long-term ones. When you fail to question or challenge statements of”fact” seen/heard in the popular media, and only process the “information” that you want to hear/read, it makes you easy prey for those who would seek to profit by your credulity and naivete.

See Paul’s review on this supplement here: http://www.ultimatefatburner.com/extreme-acai-berry-review.html

See also: http://vitamins.ultimatefatburner.com/acai-berry-review.html for a little perspective on acai.

I watched them both systematically remove various types of foods from their diets (ie, grains, ‘white’ foods, animal based proteins, etc). All of which seemed relatively innocent for a short while. But after a couple of weeks this person had my aunt down to eating nothing but blanched almonds and grapes. They weren’t allowed even most vegetation because it ‘promoted or contained mold growth’. They both lost a ridiculous amount of weight, to the point where they were essentially emaciated. Their skin was sallow and eyes were dark and sunken. Both women lost an incredible amount of muscle mass and looked terrible. They were understandably excited over their weight loss (both had always been on the ‘hefty’ side all their lives). But they obviously couldn’t see how unhealthy they both looked.

Yet in all this, this ‘practitioner’ had them completely convinced that they were ‘flushing’ their systems and would come back healthier. I’d never seen them look more UNhealthy. They were exhausted and had no energy at all.

I am fully convinced that the whole detox fad is a complete scam. Of course you’re going to lose weight, you’re seriously restricting calories! I saw no immediate benefits from what they did, and no long term benefits in either of them. All I saw was a whole lot of brainwashing and innocent excitement over an over-hyped fad.

Our bodies were created with the most complex and sophisticated cleansing systems imaginable and I am convinced that our finite minds will never be able to improve on this incredibly effective and perfect system.

Our responsibility is to provide our bodies with a wholesome, balanced diet and an appropriate level of exercise. It doesn’t need our help to ‘filter’ or ‘flush’.

What they used as their kind of a proof (that the cleanse does not work) is a “guy at the gym” or his “discipline” (or lack thereof), or called the cleanse a gimmick, or a disaster – where is their “proof”? They expressed their own opinions, without providing any factual evidence whatsoever, just hearsay and speculation.”

As Paul points out, I was responding to Rob’s comments – which were dead-on w/respect to the situation he was describing. And I completely agree with his statement: “there are much better ways to lose body fat and keep it off.” I’m personally acquainted with the man and know he knows what he’s talking about: at 48, he’s 6% bodyfat and has a naturally-acquired, competition-level body he could proudly display on a men’s magazine cover.

I’m also constrained to point out: he looks a lot healthier than Tom Woloshyn does.

Likewise, I’ve read more than “some books” (you can check out my photo and bio on the “about us” page of this site) – and I’m married to a man with a degree in environmental toxicology, and years of experience in dealing with environmental hazards…thus, I have a rather extensive knowledge base to draw on.

Thus, neither of us has an “uninformed mouth.” Nor am I “easily offended” – although I’ll note in passing that it’s not a great idea – if you prefer to discuss points of disagreement in a civil manner – to accuse people of being “uninformed” before you actually know if they are or not.

At any rate, as Paul points out, there is precisely zero proof that so-called “detox” programs work via reducing “toxins” – a term that is invariably vague and undefined. I don’t doubt it has some psychological value: it motivated you to take a break from eating unhealthy foods and make a “fresh” start. But this has nada to do with any actual purging of “toxins.”

Look, I completely understand why you might be upset to see us slamming something that you feel has been beneficial. But the point of confusion is about cause and effect. It’s natural to assume that – if something works for you, it works for the reasons advanced – in this case, a reduction in your bioburden of “toxins.” But – as Paul notes in his post and comments – this isn’t a valid proposition. Your headaches for the first two days are a classic example: caffeine withdrawal is a recognized disorder…you would have experienced this simply by stopping caffeine, regardless of being on a cleansing program. A belief in the program obviously helped you make the break, but you didn’t actually need the program – in any physiological sense – to do it.

Hopefully, you’ll continue on your quest to improve your fitness and well-being by sticking with a comprehensive diet and workout program…Paul’s got a few quality books reviewed on the main site – they’re from reliable sources who can take you well beyond what practitioners like Woloshyn can.

Elissa appeared to be commenting directly on Rob’s comments. Rob presented some real world “detox” experience – only what he’s seen – mind you. Neither poster would have added much to the discussion by adding more on the absence of clinical proof, since I’d already covered that in the article.

One other point; The comments that obviously upset you about The Master Cleanse diet were made by Dr. Zimney, whom I merely quoted in the article.

And lastly, I’m certainly not arguing that the results you experienced were not real. What I’m suggesting is that they were not the result of some “detoxing” effect.

Our job here is to present facts, whether they go “against the grain” or not. I have no stake in “detox” diets, so it doesn’t matter to me whether we present a strongly “pro” or “con” case… only that what we do present is reflective of the facts. In this spirit, I was unable to find one single credible scientific reference to back any of the claims made by the retailers of detox diets/products.

That’s why I asked you; send me the independently verified, peer reviewed data that validates any of this, and I’ll make the appropriate modifications to the article. I was not merely being a smart ass.

My reply was not directed at your article but, rather, at the other posters’ replies (Elissa and Rob) both of whom just pretty much said “don’t do it” WITHOUT any “journal” entries or whatever else YOU consider a “real” proof.

What they used as their kind of a proof (that the cleanse does not work) is a “guy at the gym” or his “discipline” (or lack thereof), or called the cleanse a gimmick, or a disaster – where is their “proof”? They expressed their own opinions, without providing any factual evidence whatsoever, just hearsay and speculation.

Since I actually bothered to read some books (pretty good ones, may I add) on the subject BEFORE posting here, I felt justified in using the term “uninformed mouth” and, again, it had nothing to do with your article but everything to do with the other postings.

The other posters’ comments sounded just like something I have heard, over and over, from a regular GP. Indeed, the conventional medicine doctors have such a great success in getting people healthy, don’t they? Just prescribe more and more drugs to treat what’s ailing, then prescribe more drugs to treat the side effects of the treatments, and so on and so forth.

I have personally been that road many times and gotten to the point of being sick and tired of getting absolutely nowhere, or rather – getting worse… hence the time for research (you might call it “facts-centric”, it really doesn’t bother me).

Master Cleanse was, in all honesty, the only thing that netted a whole lot of positive effects, physical and psychological and I can say yes, it did work wonders for me. But then again, I DID follow the instructions precisely.

Yes, I have read about it and yes, I have tried and tested it on myself, and again, yes, it worked.

If my post offended you, I apologize. Had no idea you were so easily offended…

“… open your uninformed mouth on this subject.”

The fact is, reading “cleanse” books by “cleanse” authors hardly constitutes “research.” It’s hardly impartial material.

If and when you can return here and provide some real evidence – you know, journal references like the ones that MUST be found in the books you read – I would be happy to revise my article.

And did you miss this part of the article?…

“I have no doubt that anyone adopting the eating habits of one of the more sensible detox programs — in lieu of the high-fat, high-carb North American diet — is going to feel better. A LOT better. But is this something that can be attributed to some miraculous detoxing effect, or simply the fact that you’ve switched from an “all-crap” diet, and actually started eating fruits, veggies and drinking a ton of water?”

In other words, a detox diet/plan may have positive effects for you, although it has nothing to do with any “detoxing” effect.

Waiting on those journal references and some real evidence.