Scientists dismiss 'detox myth'

[Fop 1]

Scientists dismiss 'detox myth'

Eating fruit and vegetables is the best way to feel healthy, researchers say

 

There is no evidence that products widely promoted to help the body "detox" work, scientists warn.

 

The charitable trust Sense About Science reviewed 15 products, from bottled water to face scrub, and found many detox claims were "meaningless".

 

Anyone worried about the after-effects of Christmas overindulgence would get the same benefits from eating healthily and getting plenty of sleep, they said.

 

Advertising regulators said they looked at such issues on a case-by-case basis.

 

The investigation, done by research members of the Voice of Young Science network, was kicked off by a campaign to unpick "dodgy" science claims - where companies use phrases that sound scientific but do not actually mean anything.

 

 

The minimum sellers of detox products should be able to offer is a clear understanding of what detox is and proof that their product actually works

Tom Wells, chemist

 

They challenged the companies behind products such as vitamins, shampoo, detox patches and a body brush on the evidence they had to support the detox claims made.

 

No two companies seemed to use the same definition of detox - officially defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as the removal of toxic substances or qualities.

 

In the majority of cases, producers and retailers were forced to admit that they had simply renamed processes like cleaning or brushing, as detox, the scientists said.

 

Toxins

 

One researcher investigated a Garnier face wash which claimed to detoxify the skin by removing toxins.

 

The "toxins" turned out to be the dirt, make-up and skin oils that any cleanser would be expected to remove, she said.

 

A five-day detox plan from Boots which claimed to detoxify the body and flush away toxins was also criticised for not being backed by evidence.

 

Evelyn Harvey, a biologist who looked into the product, said that if consumers followed the healthy diet that was recommended alongside the supplement they would probably feel better - but it would have nothing to do with the product itself.

 

The researchers warned that, at worst, some detox diets could have dangerous consequences and, at best, they were a waste of money.

 

Tom Wells, a chemist who took part in the research, said: "The minimum sellers of detox products should be able to offer is a clear understanding of what detox is and proof that their product actually works.

 

"The people we contacted could do neither."

 

Alice Tuff, from Sense About Science, added: "It is ridiculous that we're seeing a return to mystical properties being claimed for products in the 21st Century and I'm really pleased that young scientists are sharing their concerns about this with the public."

 

The Advertising Standards Authority said it would investigate such claims on a case-by-case basis if a complaint was made.

 

"If a product is making claims not substantiated by the evidence submitted by the company we would challenge that."

 

A spokeswoman from Boots said its five-day detox plan encouraged people to drink water and includes ingredients that "battle against toxins and help protect from the dangers of free radicals".

 

And Garnier commented: "All Garnier products undergo rigorous testing and evaluation to ensure that our claims are accurate and noticeable by our consumers."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7811048.stm

 

 

 

Anyone want some hydrogen oxideaide? Guaranteed to de-tox you and help flush out all those nasty free radicals and helps stop the build up of dihydrogen monoxide. Only £10 per 100ml treatment.

[snakehips 0]

Getting a good blow-job does the trick, I find. (and why isn't there a blow-job emoticon, when there are various other 'interesting' ones??)

[Meenzer 15111]

Getting a good blow-job does the trick, I find. :) (and why isn't there a blow-job emoticon, when there are various other 'interesting' ones??)

 

A little NSFW perhaps? One for the mods to debate I suppose.

[snakehips 0]

Getting a good blow-job does the trick, I find. (and why isn't there a blow-job emoticon, when there are various other 'interesting' ones??)

 

A little NSFW perhaps? One for the mods to debate I suppose.

 

:)

[Fop 1]

Getting a good blow-job does the trick, I find. :) (and why isn't there a blow-job emoticon, when there are various other 'interesting' ones??)

 

Well there are a few problem with selling blow jobs commercially.

[Guest alex]

Getting a good blow-job does the trick, I find. :) (and why isn't there a blow-job emoticon, when there are various other 'interesting' ones??)

 

Well there are a few problem with selling blow jobs commercially.

Something else you're an expert in, no doubt

[Fop 1]

Getting a good blow-job does the trick, I find. (and why isn't there a blow-job emoticon, when there are various other 'interesting' ones??)

 

Well there are a few problem with selling blow jobs commercially.

Something else you're an expert in, no doubt

 

You've no idea of the paper work involved.

[Guest alex]

Getting a good blow-job does the trick, I find. (and why isn't there a blow-job emoticon, when there are various other 'interesting' ones??)

 

Well there are a few problem with selling blow jobs commercially.

Something else you're an expert in, no doubt

 

You've no idea of the paper work involved.

It gets worse

[Fop 1]

Getting a good blow-job does the trick, I find. (and why isn't there a blow-job emoticon, when there are various other 'interesting' ones??)

 

Well there are a few problem with selling blow jobs commercially.

Something else you're an expert in, no doubt

 

You've no idea of the paper work involved.

It gets worse

Customs?

[Monkeys Fist 41311]

VAT- is it a luxury item or a necessity?