21 Day Diet Sweeping The Nation

Each year, a new crop of fad diets is introduced to the public. Most of these diets disappear soon after, only to be replaced by the new crop. It's an endless cycle largely because the amount we weigh and how we appear to others is always on our minds. Ironically, while data suggests that our nation's citizens seem to be losing the struggle with their weight, there has been an unprecedented demand for new and exciting diets.

In 2007, a new diet took America by storm. Coined the Martha's Vineyard Diet, it promised its followers a way they could lose 21 pounds in only 21 days. News of the diet spread like wildfire. Soon, many popular media channels (such as Larry King Live) began profiling the diet. But, beneath the hype and media, the Martha's Vineyard Diet does something differently than most diets.

Understanding The Diet

Instead of focusing on eating certain food groups, avoiding others, or shunning food altogether in order to lose weight, the Martha's Vineyard Diet is centered around detoxifying the body. According to the diet, cleansing the body of harmful toxins is the most effective way to lose weight. The diet's author claims that by constantly flushing the body with liquids, a person can remove the toxins that hinder the metabolism. In theory, once the toxins are removed and a person's metabolism speeds up, the body can burn through fat more efficiently, paving the way for rapid weight loss.

How The Martha's Vineyard Diet Works

Those who choose to go on this diet can do so for 2 days, 7 days, or the entire 21 days. Dieters are to drink liquids (water, vegetable juice, homemade soups, etc.) every 2 hours to cleanse their bodies. Exercise while on the diet includes yoga, walking and other routines that are approved by the dieter's doctor. After undergoing this detoxification process for 21 days, dieters are encouraged to slowly begin introducing normal foods back into their bodies. The reason for going slowly, according to the diet's author, is to allow the body to "normalize" after detoxifying. Foods that are high in saturated fat will likely be rejected if introduced too quickly.

Experts Claim The Diet Works, But...

Experts readily agree that a person can lose weight rapidly while on the Martha's Vineyard Diet. However, they claim that much of the weight loss experienced by dieters may be the result of reduced caloric intake during the 21-day detoxification process. In fact, it's possible that detoxifying your body so rapidly can actually result in a higher fat composition in the body. This can happen because the body begins to burn muscle as a source of protein.

The Final Word On Health And Dieting

While the Martha's Vineyard Diet can cause a person to lose weight, it's important to realize the benefit of a proper diet. Detoxifying your body is ultimately good, but rapid detoxification can have negative results.

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