Considering that scant regard that we pay to our diet, periodic natural detox diets can be very helpful in maintaining health. Detox diets help to cleanse the system of toxins that accumulate in the body over time.

The human body is a complex system. But this system has perfect balance in which various parts of the body interact and function to maintain a healthy mind and a healthy body. For example, the effectiveness of the digestive and detoxification system is dependent upon vital secretions from various other organs like the liver, gall bladder and pancreas. The digestive system takes up the nutrients required for energy. The detoxification process breaks up toxins into less harmful substances that can, then be excreted through urine and stool.

The system can effectively handle toxins produced during natural processes, under normal conditions. One such natural source of toxins is ammonia. Ammonia is produced in the process of the breakdown of proteins. And toxins such as these can be handled by the normal functioning of the body.

But when the level of toxins increases tremendously, there is too much pressure on the system. There are some toxins that the system find difficult to break down. The most common sources of such external toxins are:

* Pesticides.
* Preservatives.
* Mercury from amalgams used to fill dental cavities.
* Drugs, especially antibiotics.
* Chemicals.
* Cigarette smoke.
* Heavy metals like lead...