Detox vs Cleanse: Everything You Need to Know!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DETOX AND A CLEANSE?

By Kelly Jones, R.N., B.S.N., M.Ed.

Short Answer: A cleanse is focused specifically on the digestive tract, while a detox can happen elsewhere in the body. Many use the terms detoxing and cleansing interchangeably. I get it—they are related, but the benefits differ widely, and there are some distinct differences that are important to point out. Knowing the difference can help you determine which one is right for you, so that you can find products and implement solutions that work for you and your body’s needs.

As we move into warmer months (Hello Spring – we already love you!) our energy levels and our motivation levels soar, and for good reason! There’s nothing like the warmth of a fresh spring day to put a pep in your step. Simply put, it gets easier to put healthy things into our bodies (like vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, protein and nutrient-packed supplements) during these warmer months, but it is also essential for us to get the unwanted stuff (toxins and pollutants) out of our bodies as well. Winter clothing hides a multitude of indulgences from the heartier seasonal foods, am I right?

That’s where detoxing and cleansing come in.

DETOX/CLEANSE 101:

Let’s take a look at the facts behind the fads:

MYTH #1: WITHOUT A CLEANSE OR

DETOX, YOUR BODY WILL BE EXTREMELY TOXIC.

Fact: Your body detoxes itself every day, through natural God-given processes. We are constantly exposed to small amounts of heavy metals, plastics and toxins through our foods and our environments. God has given our bodies the ability to deal with these things on their own. Because of this, the best detox and cleanse products are ones that support these natural processes, rather than those that force your body to do something it isn’t used to.

MYTH #2: THERE IS SUBSTANTIATED SCIENCE BEHIND ALL DETOX AND CLEANSE DIETS.

Fact: While there can be very little scientific research behind some claims, an educated consumer can still separate the wheat from the chaff. I encourage you to seek out brands and products that cite scientific studies that back up those claims – you’ll find them as footnotes on product web pages or in their marketing materials. Even better if the brand has credited doctors and scientists on their advisory boards.

MYTH #3: FOR A CLEANSE TO BE EFFECTIVE, YOU WILL HAVE TO STARVE YOURSELF. Fact: Not true. If you starve yourself (eating nothing but lemon juice, vinegar, cayenne pepper and water for a week) you may be keeping harmful substances out of your body, which is a good thing, but you are also depriving your body of helpful substances and beneficial nutrients, which can lead to very bad consequences. (NIH, 2019)

DETOXING AND CLEANSING THE RIGHT WAY:

It’s an honorable thing to want to rid your body of excess toxins and waste in the name of health and happiness, but let’s do it in the right way. Here are the most important things for you to remember:

SMART TIP #1: GO BIG ON GUT HEALTH!

Your digestive tract has its own unique detox and cleansing processes. When you focus on prevention rather than prescription through using quality prebiotics and probiotics, you’re promoting your own digestive health, which results in a boosted immune response, mood support, decreased inflammation and weight management.

SMART TIP #2: FOCUS ON NOURISHMENT!

In order to function and feel your best, your body needs vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Focus on eating quality leafy greens, fruits and vegetables – bonus points when they are in season! And, remember the power of protein, because amino acids are required to complete the liver’s detox pathways. (Blum, MD, 2017) Broccoli, kale, watermelon, beets and blueberries are major players in supporting both detox and cleansing in our bodies. Supplementing with a fully methylated multivitamin can be the missing link for the nutritional gaps in our standard American diet.

SMART TIP #3: MAKE IT A LIFESTYLE, NOT A PURGE! THE BEST HEALTH DECISIONS ARE SMALL WINS MADE CONSISTENTLY OVER TIME. It is critical to use products that are safe, gentle and effective for long term use. My desire is to see you incorporate natural detox and cleansing into your regular maintenance routine, embracing prevention as a lifestyle, not just as a quick fix. Your body needs to be detoxed and cleansed—that’s why it has built-in mechanisms for doing just that.

However, many of the programs you see touted online are trying to force your body into detoxing or cleansing beyond its natural practice, and that can cause some unwanted side effects.

The best way to detox and cleanse is to support your body’s natural processes through nutrition, exercise, intentionally addressing gut heath and by taking natural supplements that support your God-given detox pathways.

I want you to be happier and healthier; that means putting the right things in your body, and making sure the other stuff comes out. Just make sure you’re doing it in a healthy way, and you’ll feel better for it. If you would like more information on the specific prebiotics, probiotics and methylated multivitamin that I am using, please reach out to me at the links provided in my bio. It would be my honor to help coach and support you to your best health in 2023!

Reference/Source: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/detoxes-andcleanses-what-you-need-to-know https://blumhealthmd.com/2017/05/12/whats-thedifference-between-a-detox-and-a-clea nse/?doing_ wp_cron=1677365811.0261769294738769531250