Do we need to cleanse and detoxify our bodies on a regular basis for optimum health? Cleansing herbal teas, laxatives, juice fasts and colonic irrigation are popular. Proponents of fasting insist that environmental toxins and food additives build up in our bodies over time and must be removed periodically through fasting and detoxification procedures. Others state that fasting merely deprives the body of energy and vital nutrients and is detrimental to your health. Who's right?

Why fast?

Our bodies have their own built-in detoxification system in the liver and kidneys. These organs filter blood on an ongoing basis to remove wastes and toxins, which are then excreted in urine, feces and sweat.

Proponents of detox programs believe that fasts and other types of cleansing can relieve many common complaints, such as headaches, joint pain, indigestion, constipation, fatigue, allergies and even anxiety. Some programs have a long history of use in other cultures, yet there is little scientific evidence to back up their health claims.

Will fasting help me lose weight?

Fasting causes a loss of water, not body fat. According to dietitian Ellen Coleman, after the first day of fasting, the carbohydrates stored in the liver are depleted. Since the body tries to maintain blood sugar levels within a normal range, protein stores from muscle (and eventually even from organs such as the heart and kidneys) are broken down to supply amino acids that can be converted to glucose to maintain blood sugar levels. After fasting for a week, the loss of muscle tissue may comprise as much as one-third of the total weight loss. Fasting also can slow your metabolism, making it even more difficult to maintain that weight loss.