Do I need to go on a detox diet?

Detox diets, programs that are supposed to help "cleanse" your body and peel off pounds, have been around forever. They seem to become more popular around the holidays when people have overindulged on food, alcohol, and caffeine. It's almost as if these programs offer you a clean slate.

But don't be deceived -- like any other quick fix, detox diets don't work. First off, you don't need detoxifying unless you've been poisoned by lead or another substance. Your liver and kidneys do a great job of filtering out toxins.

(This is true for healthy individuals, but not for those who have a serious medical condition, such as kidney failure or liver disease.) Second, any weight loss you do achieve is usually temporary. That's because no matter which type of detox diet you try, you're usually not taking in enough calories to survive beyond just a few days or weeks. For instance, the Master Cleanse (which Beyoncé Knowles famously tried to get ready for her role in the movie Dreamgirls) is basically a liquid fast; some versions are based on fruit.

Aside from avoiding solid food, many plans also ban alcohol and caffeine. Even though you're eating very little, some plans come with a high price tag for supplements, powders and herbs. More importantly, these plans can take a real toll on your health.

Cutting out entire food groups and reducing your calorie intake drastically can cause electrolyte imbalances, which can trigger dizziness, arrhythmia, and even death. The disruption of normal eating patterns can cause diarrhea or constipation. Some detox diets recommend colon cleansing, which can perforate the colon, sometimes lethally.

Other plans recommend chelation therapy -- taking in chemicals that bind and eliminate metals in your body. But not all metals are toxic: You need iron and calcium for instance, and eliminating these from the body can be debilitating. If you really want to atone for some holiday overindulging, there are plenty of healthful ways to go about it.

I'd suggest reining in calories (1,500 calories is low enough for most women; 1,700 is low enough for most men) and cutting out fried foods, sodas, and other sugary foods for a few days or weeks. There are plenty of examples of balanced meals on thebestlife.com. Drink plenty of water and get out there and move your body.

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