Thoughts on Cleansing

Posted by Victoria Anisman-Reiner May 10, 2007

Beyonce's quick, notable weight loss during filming of Dreamgirls has spawned a flurry of (often contradictory) information about cleansing, both in print media and online.

Proponents of cleansing discuss the how-to's and the many benefits of careful cleansing, from weight loss to increased energy to elimination of allergy symptoms, chronic sore throats, headaches, pain, and more.

Opponents of cleansing criticise the practice as a harmful fad diet.

My views on the matter should be clear from my recent cleansing articles, beginning with What is Cleansing? I've discussed several forms of dietary cleanse, the correct way to cleanse with supplements, and tips on how to ease a cleanse by listening to your body's needs.

I believe that most critics of cleansing suffer from misinformation that can be remedied with a few simple facts.

Claim: Cleansing involves severe restrictions on what you eat, similar to fasting or a starvation diet.

Fact: In reality, very few cleanses are as restrictive as Beyonce's popularization of the Master Cleanse might lead you to believe. Most cleanses are done using supplements, herbs, or essential oils that encourage the body to gradually release and purge old toxic build up - without any change in diet! Any safe dietary cleanses will involve a gradual change in diet, so as not to shock the body or create the kind of symptoms that too-quick, harsh cleansing can.

Claim: Most of the weight lost during cleansing is water, and is regained as soon as a person ceases to cleanse.

Fact: This simply isn't true, as anyone who has lost weight by cleansing will attest. Of course, if you gorge yourself on artificially-sweetened, chemical-laden foods immediately after finishing a cleanse, some of the weight will come back. But for most people, the weight loss resulting from healthy cleansing is more permanent and easier to maintain than weight lost by dieting.

Claim: Cleansing is dangerous.

Fact: This is absolutely true. If done incorrectly, cleansing can be dangerous.

There are hundreds of different ways to cleanse and supplements marketed for weight loss and cleansing. Not all of these are safe and some, quite frankly, are fad diets masquerading as proper cleanses. This is why I recommend only performing a cleanse (for the first time, at least) under the supervision and guidance of a holistic practitioner.

It's important that you find the right cleanse for you, and that you get professional support to confirm that now is a good time for your body to experience a cleanse. Not everyone needs to cleanse, and some who do need it should wait until their life and their body, mind and emotions are ready for the experience of cleansing. For those who do need to cleanse, it can transform their lives and be immensely beneficial.

For more information:

• What is Cleansing?
• Dietary Cleanses
• Cleansing with Supplements
• Aids to Easier Cleansing
• 3 Reasons Not to Buy Supplements From Most Health Food Stores