As the New Year begins there are all types of detox kits on the shelves but the human body is capable of detoxing itself on its own, writes Nicole Matthews.
Most people ease off in January after the over-indulgence of Christmas whether this means less chocolate, alcohol or late nights. Others need more of a kickstart and sample one of the ever increasing detox methods on the market which all promise to "cleanse", "detox", "purify" and "restore balance".
These include rehydration diets of rose water, detox socks which are worn to bed and are black with toxins when you wake up and one of the more extreme cleansing methods, colonic irrigation with water or coffee.
So are detox diets a fad or friend and would simply a few early nights, some exercise and some water have the same effect?
Margot Brennan, nutritionist with the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI), says there is no evidence to show that these detox diets actually work as the body has several natural detoxifying mechanisms including the bowel, liver, kidneys and skin and it does not need a detox programme.
She says if people cut out alcohol and processed food, drink water and eat from the bottom of the food pyramid, they will naturally detox.
Dr John Hoskins, environmental toxicologist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, last year produced a report with several leading scientists from the Sense About Science group in the UK. They tested the validity of detox methods and found that when it comes to detoxing our bodies all that is needed is tap water and a good night's sleep.
"These processes do not occur more effectively as a result of taking 'detox' tablets, wearing 'detox' socks, having a 'detox' body wrap, eating Nettle Root extract, drinking herbal infusions or 'oxygenated' water, following a special 'detox' diet or using any of the other products and rituals that are promoted which waste money and sow confusion about how our bodies, nutrition and chemistry actually work," he says.
Aveen Bannon, consultant dietitian at the Dublin Nutrition Centre, says detox diets are not something she would advocate to patients especially the fast weight-loss programmes.
"The entire concept of detox itself makes no sense as if there were toxic substances in our body we would not be around," she says.
Brennan says many people opt for radical detox methods as they want a quick-fix solution.
"Detox diets are a scam and show that society wants a quick fix and as money is no object it's often perceived that the more expensive the better. A prime example of this is colonic irrigation which is simply dangerous and administered by therapists who are beauticians," she says.
Hoskins agrees that colonic irrigation is not necessary and can be risky for patients.
"Colonic irrigation was popular 40 years ago and people used coffee known as 'coffee enema'.
"The short-term risks in this are huge as the practitioners are not medically trained and there is even less known about the long-term effects so this treatment should be avoided at all costs," Hoskin says.
Anne Harty, manager of the Jan De Vries clinic in Dublin which specialises in alternative healthcare and homeopathy, says there are benefits in cleansing the body which will make you feel better especially if you are feeling bloated and sluggish.
She recommends some herbal remedies to aid detoxing including milk thistle for detoxing the liver, gall bladder and digestive system.
"It is a herb to be taken in moderation like all medicine and is good for after late nights. Echinacea is good for preventing colds," she says.
Harty advises against severely restricting foods in a detox programme as she points out that this will simply result in a loss of fluids when all the body needs is rest.
Home kits are especially popular for detoxing as many are now sold over the counter and are easily accessible. Bannon says many of these kits may produce unwanted effects.
"Home kits often have a laxative effect which is not very socially acceptable as it will require time off work. In the short term you are messing around with your metabolic system with yo-yo diets. You just lose water so the percentage of fat in the body is higher which messes around with your body composition and is very unhealthy," she says.
Vicky Pennington, nutritionist for Boots which sells detox products, maintains they do have a role to play when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
"We position our detox plan as part of a healthy lifestyle approach to support the body's detox mechanism in drinking water and minimising toxins through cutting out alcohol and caffeine," she says.
Pennington also agrees that if you get early nights and drink water you would feel better but claimed the Boots detox kit gives the body a kick- start in this process.
"I think the Boots Detox plan wouldn't disagree that if you simply got an early night, drank water and cut out alcohol and caffeine you would feel better but we are giving additional antioxidants to kickstart their diet and see it as long term," she says.
The detox kits in Boots contain ingredients that are described as high in "anti-oxidants which help detox the liver and aloe vera and peppermint to aid the digestive system".
Hoskins says there is still no concrete evidence that these detox kits work because they have never been tested.
"People get away with making claims that these detox tests actually work as there are no double blind trials where one person is given the treatment and another the placebo when all that's needed is a good night's sleep and water," he says.
US research from the University of Southern California in 2005 also concluded that detox diets do no more than the body's own natural system to get rid of toxins.
Pennington says she has never tested the effects but she believes detox kits do benefit people.