
The inclusion of psyllium in the Quick Cleanse and Skinny Mini is designed to promote regular bowel movements.

As an example, beta-carotene, found in both of the 48-hour detoxes, appears to be associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers when taken as a supplement, but eating a lot of beta carotene-containing fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk.

Extractsĭi Prima says while there's nothing dangerous about most of these ingredients, the whole food is always going to be better than a single extract. There is no definitive scientific evidence to support the claims that acai berries, native to Central and South America and promoted widely as a "superfood", promote weight loss. Goji berries should also be avoided by people on warfarin. Cranberries have known antioxidant properties and can help prevent urinary tract infections, although the evidence is not definitive and caution should be exercised by those who take blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin and aspirin, in taking a product that contains cranberries. Super berriesīerries such as acai, goji and cranberries also appear in a number of products. Bitter orange should be avoided by people with high blood pressure and should not be taken in conjunction with caffeine, yet the Kickstart Detox's packaging and the public summary of the product in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) fail to contain such warnings. Experts say there's not enough evidence to support the use of this ingredient for health purposes, particularly given reports of its links to fainting, heart attack and stroke. Bitter orangeĪlso said to speed up metabolism is bitter orange, a key ingredient in the Blackmores Kickstart Detox. Green tea extract has been linked to serious liver problems in rare cases. But despite this, there is little reliable data to determine whether this age-old beverage will help to cleanse or cut the kilos. The two 4321 products also contain green tea, considered to have antioxidant properties and the ability to improve mental alertness (most likely because of its caffeine content) and often used as a weight loss aid. It's interesting to note that while some products give you added caffeine, others require it to be eliminated for the duration of the detox, which can cause headaches for those who regularly consume coffee. While the 4321 Slim Evolution gives a precise measure for the amount of caffeine in each dose on its label, its sister product, the 4321 10 Day Body Boot Camp, does not. It's generally accepted that the caffeine in two to four cups of coffee each day is harmless, however too much caffeine can make you anxious and may cause headaches or abnormal heart rhythms. Known for its ability to stimulate your central nervous system, caffeine is present in two of these products, most likely because of its ability to speed up your metabolism. Of the powders, potions and pills we looked at in our review of detox products, most contain a combination of fruit and vegetable extracts, liver tonics, laxatives and traditional weight-loss aids. There are "rare combinations", "unique blends" and even "powerful super foods", all claimed to be the next big thing helping you lose weight fast. You'll have heard the claims before – specially designed with this, professionally formulated from that. Liver cleansing doesn't actually have to be a complicated process at all, she says, adding that all you need to do is avoid excessive amounts of alcohol, caffeine and saturated fats. Worryingly, others recommend eliminating food altogether.Īccredited practising dietitian Kate Di Prima rejects the idea that you need a detox product to achieve a healthy liver. In some cases, products encourage severe restrictions of key food groups, such as meat and dairy. Most detox products spruik some kind of cleansing benefit for the liver or kidneys. "It may alleviate your guilt but it is actually doing more harm than good." "People have this idea of a detox diet as a way of dealing with their guilt about having a diet that previously contained sugars, fats and or alcohol, but two wrongs don't make a right," McGrice says. The problem is, the punishment of a strict "detox" diet doesn't really make up for the binge. She says this is a job your kidneys and liver do by themselves every day.Īs a dietitian, McGrice regularly sees patients who come to her "hoping to find a remedy" after a particularly poor period of eating or drinking.

There's little evidence detox diets actually remove toxins, according to accredited practising dietitian Melanie McGrice. QuickTrim Fast Cleanse 48hr Super Diet Detox.
