Should I Detox?

Lemon juice fast.

Eating only fruits and vegetables.

Juicing.

There are so many detox diets and cleanses on the market right now. They promise anything and everything from mega weight loss to a toxin-free body. They make claims that sound too good to be true, because they ARE too good to be true. Most if not all of them lack adequate protein for maintaining muscle mass, so the weight that is lost is mostly water and muscle, and NOT the fat that you are hoping to lose. There is really nothing “healthy” about them.

What are toxins? Toxins are heavy metals like mercury and lead, and they are also chemicals and pollutants. Toxins are found in the food we eat, the water we drink, the clothes we wear, and the air we breathe. In this fallen world, toxins are inescapable. So by eating differently for a couple of days, do you really think you are going to be able to rid yourself of toxins? No matter how organic you live, you will always be in contact with toxins.

Here’s the thing: God made us with a built-in detox system. Our liver, kidneys, lungs, intestines, and skin all play a part in filtering out the bad stuff and keeping the good stuff. It’s really as simple as that. God created the food He intended for us to eat – both plants and animals. Try to eat real, minimally processed foods most of the time, and trust that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Keep your body healthy with food and exercise, and it will detoxify itself. No crazy diets necessary.

Originally published January 21, 2014.