The dangers of 'detoxification' and flushing your system
Found an interesting article on the Guardian (UK) website. It's an interesting read, discussing the most recent developments in the science-based medical Vs Alternative therapies argument.
It seems that you really can drink too much water, something I was vaguely aware of but didn't know too much about. That is to say, I was aware of the association between ecstacy overdose and overhydration, but hadn't really heard much about.
From article:
Page wanted to lose weight and claims that she was advised by Nash to drink four pints of water a day and to cut out salt from her diet. Nash denies any fault, and although she paid Page a settlement of pounds 810,000 last week, she did so without admission of liability. But whatever Nash did or did not advise, nowadays such advice to drink large amounts of water is found in every woman's magazine - and yet it has no scientific basis and is known to be dangerous, even fatal, if done to excess. Page began to feel ill and vomit soon after starting the regime, but claims that she was reassured by Nash that this was a good sign and showed that the diet was working. She now suffers from epilepsy and has severe speech, memory and concentration problems.
Many "nutritional therapists" offer so-called detox diets, despite the fact that they never seem to identify the so-called toxins they claim to be banishing from the body, or any proof that these substances have actually gone. They often use the detox as a marketing opportunity for additional treatments and dietary supplements and if any user complains of feeling unwell, they say that this is a "healing crisis" that shows the detox is effective. They often claim, with no supporting evidence, that their regimens "boost the immune system" or "rebalance energies".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/jul/24/healthandwellbeing.radovankaradzic
If you're a big fan of disaster stories like I am, trundle over to the website "What's the Harm" where you can search for a specific form of therapy (acupuncture, chiropracty etc) and discover what wierd and wonderful effects these have had on patients. It's absolutely fascinating
http://www.whatstheharm.net/