Medical experts slam celebs' detox diets

New York, June 13 : As more celebrities jump on the detox bandwagon, it's also catching on with the general public. But some medical experts say these body-cleansing diets are not only unnecessary, they can also be dangerous.

Dr. David Robbins, at Beth Israel Medical Center, said that detox diets do not work, in fact they can cause more harm than good.

"The concept that you need to detox your body like you would take your car for an oil change is entirely off base," The New York Daily New quoted him, as saying.

Here's how some celeb-tested cleanses measure up.

1. Kathy Frenton's 21-Day Cleanse Celebrity: Oprah Winfrey

The spiritual plan preaches 'conscious eating' by cutting all animal products, gluten, caffeine, sugar and alcohol for up to 21 days.

"Dietary excess and gluttony is not good for you, sure, but to start excluding major food groups is foolish," Robbins said.

2. Dr. Joshi's holistic detox Celebrity: Gwyneth Paltrow

This plan promises transformation in 21 days by avoiding acidic, toxic and refined foods so the body's pH balance becomes alkaline.

"It's all fantasy at best and dangerous at its worst," Robbins said.

3. Martha's Vineyard Detox Diet Celebrity: Robin Quivers

The radio co-host followed Roni DeLuz's '21 Pounds in 21 Days.' The fast sheds a pound a day by subsisting on live juices, enzymes - and regular colonics.

Robbins said that the body is expert at cleaning itself.

"We know from thousands of colonscopies, in which we peer into the lining of the colon, that there's no toxic residue," he said. 4. Master Cleanser Celebrity: Beyonce Knowles

The pop star slimmed down drastically to play skinny 'Dreamgirls' singer Deena Jones by living on water mixed with lemon, maple syrup and cayenne pepper.

"You don't have to starve yourself," Robbins said.

He sees liquid-diet patients come in with electrolyte imbalances 'and profound diarrhea and nausea.'

ANI