The Dangers of the Detox Diet

Recently radio personality Robin Quivers went on the Larry King show and sang the praises of her new detox diet 21 Pounds in 21 Days. She says this is the best detox diet she's been on and surpasses popular ones like The Master Cleanser (Lemonade Diet) because it actually allows for food. She also states it tells the dieter what to do after they've lost the weight - a failing point of other detox diets.

Based on her use of 21 Pounds in 21 Days, Quivers lost 24 pounds and feels so much healthier. She is even acting as a spokesperson for the product. In listening to her interview, it sounded as if there were no down-sides to this diet. Yet, for some reason, it felt like the public wasn't really getting all of the skinny.

The medical community is still debating about the true benefits of the detox diet. Doctors who support it agree that it helps relieve the body of harmful toxins and is a safe method of weight loss. Doctors who don't support it state that it's based on mumbo-jumbo and it really does not benefit the dieter because our body automatically cleanses itself. However, regardless of which camp you believe, it's important to state that the average nutritionist will recommend a reduction of calories (of solid food) combined with exercise as the proper method to lose weight.
Normally, only in extreme cases are dieters put on detox diets to lose weight fast. And if so, it's under doctor supervision. So what are some of the pitfalls of this type of dieting - if any?

1) Loss of important nutrients in the body. Thankfully for Robin, the co-creators of 21 Pounds in 21 Days came to live with her while she was on the diet. However, most of us don't get this type of star treatment. As a result, if we fail to get the proper daily nutrients needed while on a detox diet, it can lead to lethargy and illness.

2) Excess Skin. Because detox diets make you lose weight quickly, you may lose more skin elasticity than on a regular diet. As a result, your skin will be more prone to sag in conjunction with weight loss.