Detoxing - is it worth trying or should it be avoided?

Detox diets and cleanses are big in the home remedy world. Juice cleanses and colon cleanses are two of the most common. The claims are that by doing a juice cleanse or colon cleanse, toxins are removed from your body, making you healthier.

Do these cleanses really work? Are they safe to try? What should you do to "cleanse" your body of the toxins to which its exposed? All of these questions are valid. Here's what you need to know about "detoxing."

1. Colonic irrigation. Doing colon cleanses is quite popular today. Berkley Wellness states that a colon cleanse doesn't actually remove any toxins from the body and can actually do a lot of harm. Those who try a colon cleanse run the risk of diarrhea, dehydration, infection and perforation of intestinal walls.

2. Juice cleanses. Juice cleansing is popular for jump-starting diets, but Berkley Wellness warns that a juice cleanse can cause an imbalance of electrolytes in your system.

3. Water cleanse. Some think that by drastically increasing their water intake, they can flush out toxins. Berkley Wellness states that a person should only drink when they're thirsty and enough to thoroughly quench their thirst. To drink more interferes with your body's ability to balance its electrolytes.

4. Chemicals. To truly "detox," Women's Health states that what people really need to do is avoid as many chemicals as possible. Read your labels for personal care products and cleaning products. Your skin is a semi-permeable membrane, so chemicals are easily absorbed that way. Protect your skin from them and, thereby, protect your body.

5. Food. If what you're eating is a concern, WebMD says to trade out processed food for whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Eating organic foods may also help.

6. Body's natural detoxers. Why don't detoxes work? Women's Health and WebMD state that your body has its own detoxing ability. The gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys filter out the "toxins" in your food. Unless one of these isn't working properly, they will pull out any toxins and filter things.

Rather than spending lots of money on cleanses and depriving yourself of food, be smart. Exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. These are the keys to a healthy body.