


Harmful effects are more likely in people with a history of gastrointestinal disease, colon surgery, severe hemorrhoids, kidney disease, or heart disease. Colon cleansing procedures may have side effects, some of which can be serious.Diets that severely restrict calories or the types of food you eat usually don’t lead to lasting weight loss and may not provide all the nutrients you need.If you have diabetes, consult your health care providers before making major changes in your eating habits, such as going on a “detox” diet or changing your eating patterns. People with diabetes should follow the eating plan recommended by their health care team.Drinking large quantities of high-oxalate juice can increase the risk for kidney problems. Two examples of high-oxalate foods are spinach and beets. Some juices are made from foods that are high in oxalate, a naturally occurring substance.

The illnesses can be serious in children, elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Some juices used in “detoxes” and “cleanses” that haven’t been pasteurized or treated in other ways to kill harmful bacteria can make people sick.Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) and Federal Trade Commission ( FTC) have taken action against several companies selling detox/cleansing products because they (1) contained illegal, potentially harmful ingredients (2) were marketed using false claims that they could treat serious diseases or (3) in the case of medical devices used for colon cleansing, were marketed for unapproved uses. This page does not address that type of detoxification.) (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends chelation therapy, a type of chemical detoxification procedure, for removing toxic metals from the body in some specific serious cases. For more information on safety, see the “What about safety?” section below. Some “detoxification” programs can be unsafe and falsely advertised. These programs may be advertised commercially, offered at health centers, or part of naturopathic treatment. Cleansing the colon (lower intestinal tract) with enemas, laxatives, or colon hydrotherapy (also called “colonic irrigation” or “colonics”).Using dietary supplements or other commercial products.Drinking only juices or similar beverages.“Detoxification” programs may involve a single process or a variety of approaches. Spice your food with ginger, hot pepper and coriander, which may aid digestion and eliminate heavy metals.A variety of “detoxification” diets, regimens, and therapies-sometimes called “detoxes” or “cleanses”-have been suggested as ways to remove toxins from your body, lose weight, or promote health.

