A detox is the process of eliminating toxins from your body. Many detox programs, including cleanses, fasts and juice cleanses, promote weight loss and a healthier lifestyle. But there is more to detox than removing sugar and caffeine from your diet. In fact, many detox products sold to the health-conscious consumer contain ingredients that can be harmful and may even cause illness. In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken action against several detox/cleanse companies for selling products that contained illegal, potentially dangerous ingredients or made unsubstantiated claims about their efficacy.

Detoxification is a critical first step to achieving long term healthy living. Whether you’re dealing with cravings, fatigue, joint pain or excess weight, detox will help you establish healthy habits that can be sustained for life.

There are a lot of detox programs available to the public, from juice cleanses and fasts to diet pills and powders. Most of these protocols are do-it-yourself procedures aimed at eliminating alleged toxins that can be responsible for weight gain, lack of energy, digestive issues and a host of other problems.

The premise behind detox and cleanses is that by eliminating solid foods and drinking only liquids, you’re reducing your exposure to harmful chemicals and eliminating toxins. While drinking water or green tea does provide some hydration, these cleanses aren’t scientifically backed and can cause serious harm if not done correctly.

Drastic reduction in calorie intake can be a good thing, especially when it’s accompanied by exercise and a goal to lose weight, but a detox alone won’t sustain the results you want long-term. Detox will reset your taste buds and appetite, making you crave more of the clean, nutrient-dense foods that are good for you.

A detox will also help eliminate cravings for fatty, processed junk foods that aren’t good for your body. It will also reset your energy levels, helping you focus better and improve your mood.

One of the most important reasons to detox is to deal with addiction to drugs and alcohol. It’s vital that any detox program for drugs or alcohol is medically supervised at an inpatient addiction treatment center with onsite medical staff to provide support during difficult withdrawal symptoms.

Trying to quit using drugs or alcohol on your own can be very hard. Often people have to detox multiple times before they’re able to overcome their dependence on drugs or alcohol. Withdrawal can be very uncomfortable and even dangerous, so it’s always best to undergo detox under medical supervision at an addiction treatment center with a trained and experienced team. Some treatment centers have on-site detox facilities while others will transfer a patient to a detox center for additional treatment.