'Cleansing' and 'detox' diets: does "detoxifying" or "cleansing" really work for weight loss? Is it safe? … and more of your questions answered here - Weight Loss Q&A

Shape, Dec, 2002 by Suzanne Schlosberg

Q My friends have jumped onto the "cleansing" diet bandwagon. Their latest diet involves drinking nothing but a concoction of lemonade, cayenne pepper and maple syrup for at least 10 days. Is it necessary to "cleanse" your body, and is this a safe way to do it?

A "Your body has its own mechanisms to cleanse itself," says Atlanta nutritionist Kathleen Zelman, R.D., a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "You don't need to ingest special potions -- that's hocus-pocus." Adequate fluid intake is what your body needs to keep your kidneys and bowel humming along, Zelman says.

The concoction your friends are drinking contains little to no protein, fat, calcium, fiber, iron and countless other nutrients essential to maintaining your health and energy levels. Your body needs more than 40 nutrients a day, Zelman says, and "one drink can never satisfy that." You'll likely lose weight on this diet because your calorie intake will be minimal, but much of this weight will be muscle, Zelman says. Once you start eating normally, the pounds will come back, and this time it will be fat-weight gain.

"There's no scientific basis whatsoever for this program," Zelman says. "It's dangerous. It's semi-starvation, and it will make you weak and tired."

Q I can't seem to lose my belly or the fat on my back. I feel like I'm hiding an inner tube under my shirt. I power walk and eat relatively well, but nothing helps. I even bought a Hula-Hoop, but I can't keep it moving long enough to get results. What can I do?

A "First, you can wipe out the idea that the Hula-Hoop is good for anything but fun," says Keli Roberts, group fitness manager at Equinox Fitness Clubs in Pasadena, Calif., and a spokeswoman for the American Council on Exercise. All of the abdominal gyrating in the world isn't going to slim your waistline because you simply can't spot reduce. The only way to whittle your middle is to reduce your overall body fat, ideally by eating fewer calories and burning more calories through exercise.

Start by taking a hard look at your exercise and eating habits, Roberts suggests. "Most people underestimate how much they eat and overestimate how much they work out," Roberts says. Keep yourself honest by writing in an exercise diary and food journal for a full week. How far are you really going on those power walks? How nutritious are your meals? How much junk food are you eating? These questions and more can be answered by your workout and food logs. You may believe that "nothing helps," but in reality, exercising more frequently and moderating your food intake will help considerably.

Roberts also recommends adding weight training to your workout program. Lifting weights will not only firm up your body but also can boost your metabolism, helping you to lose those extra pounds.