With the increasing popularity of detox diets, almost everyone in the industry is rushing to produce a detox protocol of their own to cash in on the craze. GNC's offering to the Gods of detox is their Complete Body Cleansing Program, which is a weeklong protocol containing a number of different "formulas" designed to help your body rid itself of harmful toxins.
Detox Diets
Detox diets generally refer to any diet or supplementation protocol that is designed to rid your body of hazardous or toxic chemicals. Detox diets vary widely in scope and composition, with some involving a rigorous restriction and elimination diet and others consisting of nothing more than a few simple supplements that you add in to your "normal" dietary strategy.
GNC Complete Body Cleansing Program
GNC's Complete Body Cleansing Program contains a variety of targeted mixtures that aim to revitalize the various subsystems of your digestive tract. For example, one component of the plan consists of a Kidney Formula, while another is a Blood Circulation Formula. In addition to specific formulas, the program also contains a fiber supplement and probiotics, which are helpful bacteria that are designed to aid in the process of digestion.
Compliance
Complying with the program is rather involved, as you must self-administer dosages of the various formulas at four separate times throughout the day. First thing in the morning you are instructed to take one "AM" Packet, along with blending together a fiber and probiotic shake. Consume your probiotics with dinner, and end each day of the cleanse with consumption of a "PM" Packet prior to going to bed.
Ingredients
The majority of the ingredients contained in the various packets are herbal in nature. The program contains items such as fennel seed powder, artichoke leaf extract, ginger root, peppermint leaf, licorice root, garlic bulbs, green tea and ordinary cayenne pepper. No literature is included describing the effects that these ingredients are purported to have, nor are you directed to any scientific studies elaborating on the benefit of these particular ingredients in a detoxification protocol.
Considerations
The physicians at the Mayo Clinic disdain detox plans, stating that "there is no evidence ... that detox diets actually remove toxins from the body." Before investing in the plan, you might want to note that some users on a variety of shopping sites (including GNC's site, Drugstore.com and Buzzillions.com) have rated the product negatively, stating that the product is fairly ineffective overall.
Tags: Body Cleansing, Body Cleansing Program, Cleansing Program, Complete Body, , leaf extract