In the run-up to the new year, Prof Patrick Holford of Teesside University has been promoting his “9-Day Liver Detox”. More on that later, but I thought it would be nice to start with some holistic health advice - advice that treats the whole person, instead of just targeting particular symptoms or organs in isolation. As Andrew Wadge (the FSA’s chief scientist) notes on his blog, if you have overindulged over the holidays there are better options than ‘detox’ pills and diets:
First, drink a glass or two of water (tap is fine, cheaper and more sustainable than bottled); second, get a little exercise - maybe a walk in the park - and third, enjoy some nice home-cooked food. There’s a lot of nonsense talked about ‘detoxing’ and most people seem to forget that we are born with a built-in detox mechanism. It’s called the liver. So my advice would be to ditch the detox diets and supplements and buy yourself something nice with the money you’ve saved.
Sounds fair enough to me. But, then, Holford offers an ‘alternative’ approach:
9 Days to a New You!…In the 9 Day Liver Detox Patrick Holford uses scientific findings to show you how to detoxify your body in 9 days, and achieve astonishing results. If you want to lose weight, boost your energy levels, become clear-headed, recover quickly from excesses and give your skin a healthy glow then this book is for you.
Wow, scientific findings. Well, one wouldn’t expect anything else from a professor at Teesside University. I mean, I did think - and Wadge also believes - that the science shows that our liver can generally detoxify our bodies fine, but Holford clearly has access to alternative research. Oh well, if anyone comes across a copy of the book, I’d be interested to know how this great 9-day detoxification can be achieved.
Worryingly, Health Products for Life also sells and recommends the LiverCheck home test. They claim that “LiverCheck is a home finger prick blood test that allows you to check the health of your liver…Liver check tests specifically for damage to your liver cells by testing for two enzymes: ALT and AST.”
The Patient UK site offers an excellent account of what a thorough Abnormal Liver Function Test panel should cover. They argue that patients should “[i]n the first instance request the following: albumin, bilirubin, ALP, GGT, AST, ALT and INR.” In other words, a LiverCheck test - which just looks at ALT and AST in the blood - is not as thorough as one might hope.
Patient UK also points out that “Liver function tests are easily obtained”. Those seeking such a test are therefore left with a choice between seeing their doctor (either on the NHS or privately) to get a more thorough liver function test, or buying a less thorough LiverCheck test. Did I mention that Health Products For Life sells the LiverCheck test for £150, while NHS tests are free to patients?
If you were to have a LiverCheck test, there are also issues around interpretation. As Patient UK notes
many patients have asymptomatic abnormalities in liver function tests…It is important to remember that the “normal” values are within ± 2 standard deviations meaning that 2.5% of a healthy population will have abnormal liver function tests.
In other words, one might have non-standard test results that do not indicate a liver problem which will impact on one’s health. It is therefore important to have a qualified medical professional to interpret the results of these tests.
I should end by noting that, if your liver isn’t working properly, this is serious - see a proper doctor ASAP if you suspect that this is the case, or if you think you may have done something to damage your liver. Likewise, if you’re doing something that’s obviously bad for your liver - for example, if you’re drinking to excess - you probably don’t need to book a home-test of liver function, to tell you that this is a bad idea.
So, enjoy the rest of the holiday season. If you have overindulged, or will overindulge, there are any quick fixes - just try to follow a healthier lifestyle for the rest of the year… There aren’t any pills that bring the benefits of healthy diet, exercise and lifestyle, and even using ’scientific findings’ isn’t likely to produce such a pill any time in the foreseeable future.
33 responses so far ↓
Rachel // December 31, 2007 at 8:03 pm
I was just wondering whether the person/people who wrote the article actually have any nutritional qualifications.
Nutrition is a controversial topic and there are many people who claim to know about Nutrition but haven’t have actually classes.
It is my belief that if you find an eating plan that is healthy and works with your body then who is to criticise. No two bodies are identically the same!
dvnutrix // December 31, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Yes - had you followed the link and, you know, read the text, you would have discovered that Andrew Wadge is replete with appropriate qualifications. As for us…you do realise nutritionist as a term has no legal standing?
Rachel // January 3, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Wouldn’t you find it more constructive to utilise your time by helping with the research of the increasing numbers of nutritional problems within the country and their prevention and cures?
jonhw // January 3, 2008 at 7:18 pm
All of us do a range of other (constructive, I’d like to think) things with our time: this blog is just one of our activities. That said, if we choose to use some of our spare time to run this blog, what’s wrong with that? Criticism of bad ideas is a valid and important part of debate - so I would argue that showing what’s wrong with Holford’s bad science is useful in and of itself.
Nutritionists , London // January 4, 2008 at 2:12 am
……and buy yourself something nice with the money you’ve saved………
would that be a Burger King, a bar of Dairy Milk Chocolate and a can of coke by any chance ????
superburger // January 4, 2008 at 11:24 am
what possible harm could munching on the odd burger king, washed down with coke and a bar of dairy milk possibly do?
I mean, as a once a month treat, not as an everyday diet choice - that would be a bit silly.
jonhw // January 4, 2008 at 6:30 pm
By the way, if ‘Nutritionists, London’ had followed the link to Wadge’s blog, they could have seen that Wadge suggested spending the money saved on music.
Perfectly healthy, I think.
superburgermuncher // January 4, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Why would anyone consider a burger king ‘a treat’
superburgermuncher // January 4, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Yes - had you followed the link and, you know, read the text, you would have discovered that Andrew Wadge is replete with appropriate qualifications. As for us…you do realise nutritionist as a term has no legal standing?
Listen to the arrogance of this person. This is not the way to speak to people. Come on now sort this out.
LeeT // January 4, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Superburger(muncher)
Have you got a favourite type of burger? I have the misfortune to work across the road from a Macdonalds. At no point have I been tempted to try a BigMac. They just look so unappealing. Perhaps I need to seek out a Burger? Or possibly you have a recipe for the perfect burger that you want to share with us. I tried some Quorn burgers recently and was pleasantly surprised …
Lee
dvnutrix // January 4, 2008 at 11:06 pm
SBM/Jezza/Jazza/whomever - by and large, when you are commenting, yes it is helpful if you have read the text. It is a shame that whatever education path you followed didn’t persuade you of that. Accuracy can sometimes help to establish your credentials as a serious commenter - just a hint.
UKdietitian // January 5, 2008 at 7:26 pm
well, London Nutritionists and Rachel -
I’d guess Holfordwatch people to have some background health knowledge as they show a superb understanding of nutrition that deftly shows the grossly inadequacies in Mr Holfords grandoise comments.
But if they have no formal qualifications in nutrition recognised within the UK then they are on equal par with you ‘Optimum Nutritionistas’ - and Mr Holford himself.
Now its 2008 I think I’m due a Professorship.
Right. Done. I’ve loads of friends who know nothing about nutrition but are really impressed that I appear to do so - just like Mr Holfords cultivated friends at ‘School of Law and Social Sciences at Teeside’
and now, I even have a Publisher certificate to prove it. Oh, and I didn’t award it to myself. My colleagues recognised my superior dietetic intellect.
Funny how the Health Professions Council - that body that regulates ‘proper’ complementary practitioners, has been ahead of the game on certificate printing…
http://www.hpc-uk.org//mediaandevents/imagestore/index.asp?id=33
hereby I intend to be called ‘Professor Dietitian’ and will remind everyone everytime I comment of my now superior status.
Common Myths « Holford Myths: what is the problem with Nutritionist Patrick Holford? // January 6, 2008 at 2:06 pm
[...] even been criticised in a parliamentary enquiry into allergy and allergic diseases. He promotes the Livercheck Test. He promotes hair testing to diagnose mineral deficiencies. In the past he has even promoted health [...]
dvnutrix // January 6, 2008 at 4:30 pm
UKdietitian - you shall henceforth be referred to as Professor UK dietitian or Professor Dietitian in accordance with your recent request.
May I be the first to congratulate you on this long overdue declaration of superior status.
Professor UKdietitian // January 8, 2008 at 12:03 am
Many thanks for your kind words of congratulations, dvnutrix.
I considered dropping the ‘UK’ bit when I graciously accepted my new title, but in accordance with the parallel world of Holfordesque grandiosity I MUST keep the full name with the prefix and insist on the full title everytime anyone refers to me.
I haven’t yet decided where my professorial affiliation lies, but as soon as I b*llshit some intelligent people who have absolutely no knowledge of nutrition but are arrogant enough to think they do, then I’ll affiliate.
Vegjuicer // January 8, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Regarding liver function and toxin removal…
If you drink a pint of fresh veg juice on a daily basis your skin really glows and looks great. Your energy levels really increase and you feel bloody great. This must be improving liver function right?
So if the liver is working fine then why does this improve things?
This Andrew Vadge guy mmmmmm im not to sure about him!
dvnutrix // January 8, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Not that I would know from personal experience, but aren’t recreational drugs supposed to increase energy levels and make you feel great? I doubt that they improve your liver function. Ditto alcohol now I come to think about it.
Can not sustain your hypothesis. Slightly more confidence in Andrew Wadge’s opinion than yours on this matter.
Vegjuicer // January 9, 2008 at 7:57 am
What kind of comment is this! Are you really comparing weed and mdma etc with fresh vegetable juice.
Drugs tend to make you feel like shit the next day, especially smack and crack
Vegjuicer // January 9, 2008 at 8:03 am
Try drinking a pint of fresh veg juice everyday for a week without changing any other part of your diet and get back to me with the results.
go on try it for yourself and then you would have a better idea.
I can always give you some combo receipies if you like.
jdc325 // January 9, 2008 at 12:23 pm
“Try drinking a pint of fresh veg juice everyday for a week without changing any other part of your diet and get back to me with the results.”
Vegjuicer - I actually did this once and I have to say I didn’t notice the difference. Does that actually prove anything, though? I don’t think so. It’s only anecdotal, after all. The reverse also applies, of course. If I had noticed a difference, it wouldn’t have proved your hypothesis.
Here’s a link to my favourite piece of nutritional advice:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/magazine/28nutritionism.t.html?ei=5090&
dvnutrix // January 9, 2008 at 1:05 pm
It was a comment that was less superficial than your comment about Andrew Wadge.
jdc - “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Pollan came up with a classic there. I gather that there is some snarking about his latest book but by and large it seems well-received.
Vegjuicer // January 9, 2008 at 1:38 pm
is it your opinion then that no matter what you do, you cannot change the efficiency of the liver?
jonhw // January 9, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Vegjuicer- I don’t think that anyone would claim that. For example, heavy drinking will quite effectively mess up your liver. However, this doesn’t mean that vegetable juice will have any significant positive effect.
Vegjuicer // January 9, 2008 at 7:39 pm
my beleif is that green veg juice, due to its high content of alkalining components, enable our specific ph enzymes to function correctly.
Seeing as all our organs are made of cells and these enzymes are so critical in there function, this will improve how the liver works.
I beleive acidity is a big contributor to the increasing health problems.
Enzymes cant function correctly
Acidity encourages yeasts and fungus to thrive.
What do you think? I would be interested.
jonhw // January 9, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Short answer - “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants” seems promising. Lots of modern lifestyle factors contribute to ill health - acidity’s not something I’d worry about, with any kind of ‘normal’ healthy diet and ‘normal’ stomach function.
Vegjuicer // January 9, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Short answer - “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants” seems promising
What has this got to do with what i have written!
Not really sure what your getting at here. I thought we were talking about liver function?????
Of course you dont have to worry about acidity if you eat a healthy diet and avoid stress. Unfortunately, as you well know, most people eat an appalling diet and acidity does play a part in poor health.
Alkalining green veg juice can help correct this imbalance.
Im not worried about it thanks!
I just wondered what your opinion is on enzyme function?? but you have just fobbed me of with nothing of relevance.
Correcting blood and tissue fluid pH often acheives really good results in clinic.
Vegjuicer // January 9, 2008 at 10:23 pm
hey, i want a picture by my name, this is not fair
superburger // January 10, 2008 at 12:13 am
“Correcting blood and tissue fluid pH often acheives really good results in clinic”
how do you *know* that the intervention of juices in diet has caused the effect?
How can one be *sure* that it isn’t simply the case that speaking to someone about their ill health has made them better.
maybe I’m naive, but alkali fluids/juice will be neutralised by stomach acid. Then more stomach acid will be made to maintain the required stomach pH. homeostasis and all that.
In any case, according the the US FDA, the pH of cabbage is about 5.5-6.75
sprouts 6-6.3
celery 5 .7 - 6.0
greens 5.02
kale 6.3 - 6.8
spinach 5.5
which means they’re all acidic.
(http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/lacf-phs.html)
pv // January 11, 2008 at 12:38 am
Is that a verb?
maryjo // January 11, 2008 at 1:53 am
Not sure if alkalining is even a word but if you want to raise your pH you could always take some sodium bicarb. Even in large quantities this has shown very little evidence of changing blood pH for more than a couple of hours as, as mentioned above, stomach acids neutralise it. Intravenously it works better but who can be bothered? If you try to get this quantity of alkaline from green plants rather than sodium bicarb i reckon you would be entered into the olympics and break the land speed record whilst flying a kite!
dvnutrix // January 17, 2008 at 2:03 pm
When juicing can harm and even be life-threatening.
Nobody doubts that drinking juices can affect the body profoundly, but it isn’t true that it is always desirable.
dvnutrix // January 17, 2008 at 2:56 pm
More on the “alkalinizing” claims:
This stuff is really very distressing; On the nature of “alternative” medicine cancer cure testimonials.
Professor UKdietitian // January 18, 2008 at 1:56 am
sorry to disappoint, vegjuicer, but the beneficial effects of vegetables on liver function/ detox is not to ‘alkalise’ but to provide - in addition to healthful vits mins and fibre(the latter lost during juicing) - loads and loads of toxic compounds, present in such teeny amounts they prime your Phase 2/detox enzymes into action. the cyanide released from ITC derived from glucosinolates (broccoli and brussels) is the reason for their bitter taste.
what doesn’t kill us cures us
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