Detoxatrim Review: Detoxifying Weight Loss Solution?

Detoxatrim is the "detoxifying weight loss solution" that asks...

"Are toxins making you store fat?"

And then goes on to say...

"One of the main underlining causes of weight gain affecting 70% of all women is TOXIC BUILD UP. Toxins can compromise key metabolic and glandular functions resulting in slower metabolism and a propensity to gain body fat. Yes, harmful toxins in our air, water, and food are causing you to gain weight. It is important to understand that since the day you were born you have been exposing your body to poisons and toxins. These toxins make it harder for your organs to function optimally and slow down your metabolism resulting in increased body fat and low energy levels."

Wow. Just... wow.

The advertising then goes on to state that Detoxatrim has been scientifically formulated to "detoxify and cleanse your body and jump-start your fat burning furnace!"

Before I discuss the ingredients in Detoxatrim, let's first discuss the whole "detox" thing.

Unless you've been stranded on a desert island for the last few years, you're probably aware that "detoxes" and detox-products are all the rage these days. It's not surprising, therefore, that someone decided to capitalize upon both the detox craze and the growing obesity epidemic and create a product like this.

Unfortunately, there is exactly ZERO credible evidence that any of the many "detox" products on the market have any ability to eliminate any noxious chemicals. Consider some pertinent facts...

1. The toxins in the ads are never explicitly identified, but are described in menacing terms: they’re all around us, in our air, food and water. In the world of genuine science, “toxins” have names. We know what they are. We know what they do. Most importantly, we know how to measure them. If these various products actually DID reduce toxins we are regularly exposed to (such as dioxin(s), PCBs, and methyl mercury), it would be easy enough to prove. Yet no proof of effectiveness is ever offered. Why do you think that is?
   
   Additionally, the toxic substances of greatest concern are the ones stored in tissues and/or eliminated relatively slowly from the body.  Detoxification products will do little to affect this process. 
   
   
2. In 2007, scientists from the charitable trust "Sense About Science" reviewed 15 "detox" products—ranging from facial scrub to bottled water—and found the claims to be largely meaningless. The term "detox" is nothing more than a marketing term. They have compiled their findings in a dossier, which I recommend you download and read!
   
   
3. Many credible scientists have gone on record debunking the detox craze. In a recent WebMD article called "The Worst Diets Ever", Pamela Peeke, MD, chief medical correspondent for the Discovery Health channel says this of detoxes (also referred to as "cleanses")...
   
   "All the flushes and cleanses are pure nonsense, unnecessary, and there is no scientific basis for these recommendations. Your body is well equipped with organs, such as the liver and kidneys, and the immune system, to rid itself of potential toxins and does an excellent job of cleansing itself without needing flushes or cleanses."
   
   Dr Paul Illing, Chartered Scientist, Registered Toxicologist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, says this...
   
   “Detox diets and products may not do harm, except, perhaps, to your wallet, but neither do they do you much good. Your natural bodily functions are effective at clearing out harmful substances and there is little you can do to enhance these. Patience and a proper diet are more valuable than detox products and supplements.”
   
   Dr Catherine Collins, Chief Dietician, St George’s Hospital Medical School, London says this...
   
   “The concept of ‘detox’ is a marketing myth rather than a physiological entity. The idea that an avalanche of vitamins, minerals, and laxatives taken over a 2 to 7 day period can have a long-lasting benefit for the body is also a marketing myth.”
   
   The only people who are telling you otherwise, are the ones who have something to gain financially from perpetuating the "detox myth."

Nor is there any evidence that "toxic build up" is responsible for weight gain—as claimed by the Detoxatrim advertising. We know exactly what is responsible for weight gain; a sedentary lifestyle and the over consumption of calories.

That said, what's Detoxatrim?

1) Chromium: Because it's role in regulating insulin function, chromium is a "no-brainer" addition to any weight loss supplement. However, evidence validating chromium's effect on weight loss is contradictory.

2) Yeast/Candida Detoxification and PH Correcting Blend: a 130 mg blend of...

• Acidophilus/Bifdum: These are probiotics, or "friendly bacteria." Because this product is marketed to women, these are included primarily for their role in combating yeast infections and candida. And yes, there is a growing body of evidence that certain friendly bacteria may indeed play a role in combating these issues (see here, here, and here for more!).
  
  A couple of concerns though—first, we aren't told how much of each culture is present, and that's important, as they need to be available in a significant amount to be helpful. Second, most credible probiotic products need to be refrigerated to maintain the integrity of the culture. I've never seen Detoxatrim refrigerated anywhere, which makes me wonder how useful it really is in this regard. Third, the advertising claims our friendly flora can be depleted by environmental toxins and antibiotics. No evidence is provided to justify the first statement.
  
  
• Fructooligosaccharides: Non-digestible carbohydrates, included to encourage the growth of the friendly bacteria found in this formula.
  
  
• Caprylic acid: A fatty acid which may have some effect on Candida.
  
  
• Glutamine: a conditionally essential amino acid, glutamine is one of my favorite all-time supplements. Only one problem though. A few milligrams like you have here won't do anything for you; multi-gram doses are required for effectiveness. This ingredient is label dressing, nothing more.

3) Appetite control blend: An 872 mg blend of...

• Glucomannan: A source of fiber, glucomannan does offer benefits to dieters, both in managing blood sugar levels and encouraging weight loss. The problem is that in order to do so, it needs to be taken at a relatively high dosage—3,000 mg / day in 3 divided doses. There's nowhere close to that amount in this product.
  
  
• Hoodia: An African succulent, much has been made of hoodia's appetite suppressing powers. Problem is, there's no peer-reviewed evidence to validate any of these claims. Plus, a limited supply, a "protected species" status and long growing period dramatically increase the likelihood that most hoodia products do not contain any hoodia at all.

3) Metabolism Boosters: A 336 mg blend of...

• Papaya fruit: Here's where another of the big problems with this product really shows up; we aren't told what any of the ingredients are standardized for. For example, if papaya is used as a source of the digestive enzyme papain, how much does this formula contain?
  
  
• Uva ursi: A common diuretic. Also used in alternative medicine to treat urinary tract infections.
  
  
• Green tea leaf extract (caffeine free): Green tea can be a helpful ingredient, if it's standardized for the appropriate polyphenol (i.e. EGCG), at the correct dosage.
  
  And while studies have shown that while EGCG is beneficial to dieters, it really needs to be combined with caffeine and the other catechins naturally present in green tea to offer the greatest fat burning benefits (Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 26, No. 4, 396S-402S). In other words, decaffeinated green tea does not work as well as the regular "caffeinated" stuff.
  
  
• Apple cider vinegar: according to the Detoxatrim advertising, apple cider vinegar can accomplish a ton of things; it reduces candida and toxic build up, flushes out waste, improves digestion and stimulates the metabolism. Really? I'd love to see some clinical references to prove this.
  
  
• Grapefruit extract: Because of the ambiguous nature of the way this ingredient is labeled, it's difficult to assess its role here. Is it standardized for narinigin? After all, naringin is often included in products to enhance the bioavailability of ingested nutrients/nutraceuticals, although specific benefits have not been demonstrated.
  
  It also has cholesterol-lowering effects, and can affect drug metabolism. Grapefruit seed extract, on the other hand, has anti-microbial properties; nothing wrong with that, of course, but not a valid reason for its inclusion in this product.

And there you have it—a relatively weak blend of ingredients, with not a single element demonstrating any "toxin eliminating" properties (unless of course, you'd call treating yeast overgrowth with the same bacteria you'd find in your yogurt evidence of such claims. I wouldn't. Yeast is yeast, and toxins are toxins. Besides, remember what the Detoxatrim folks said...

"Yes, harmful toxins in our air, water, and food are causing you to gain weight."

Obviously, they were not talking about yeast overgrowth when they wrote this, right?)

The weight loss element of this product isn't anything to write home about; any useful ingredients are under-dosed, and the remainder are so ambiguously labeled that it's impossible to determine what role—if any—they could play here.

As you can imagine, I'm not impressed with Detoxatrim. In my opinion, it's a blatantly dishonest attempt to capitalize upon common misconceptions in order to separate people from their hard earned money. This is definitely one product the FTC needs to take action against (Hello? FTC? Are you listening?).

One last thing before I go...

In the past, we've received nasty e-mails from visitors who have used detox diets and products to great result. Obviously, they felt we were being biased and extremely unfair to products that they believed had changed their lives for the better.

Don't mistake cause and effect here. Most detox products come with a some sort of diet and exercise plan, one that involves the elimination of junk foods, the consumption of whole foods—plenty of fruits and vegetables, and significant water intake.

The thing is, if you make these changes to your diet, you will feel a WHOLE lot better, and it is has absolutely nothing to do with the elimination of toxins from your body. It is the change in your diet, and possibly lifestyle.

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