Encyclopedia of Diets - A Guide to Health and Nutrition

can rid itself of toxins through normal digestion, respi-

ration, and excretion without elaborate diets or the

assistance of enemas and laxatives. In addition, some

fruits and vegetables may contain more toxins than

meat, fish, and other protein-rich foods usually con-

demned by proponents of detoxification diets. Lastly,

many physicians object to the naturopathic view of the

digestive tract as a source of illness or toxicity.

Resources

BOOKS

Brandt, Johanna.The Grape Cure. New York: The Order of

Harmony, 1928.

Burroughs, Stanley.The Master Cleanser with Special Needs

and Problems. N.p.: Burroughs Books, 1976.

Jensen, Bernard.Dr. Jensen’s Guide to Diet and Detoxifica-

tion. Los Angeles: Keats Publishing, 2000.

Karas, Jim, and Carolyn Griesse.The Raw Foods Diet: The

Vital Gift of Enzymes. Piscataway, NJ: New Century,

1981.

Kenton, Leslie.Leslie Kenton’s 10-day Clean-up Plan:

Detoxify Your Body for Natural Health and Vitality.

London: Century, 1986.

Meyerowitz, Steve.Juice Fasting and Detoxification: Use the

Healing Power of Fresh Juice to Feel Young and Look

Great, 6th ed. Great Barrington, MA: Sproutman

Publications, 1999.

Murray, Michael, ND, and Joseph Pizzorno, ND.Encyclo-

pedia of Natural Medicine, 2nd ed. Rocklin, CA: Prima

Publishing, 1998.

Pelletier, Kenneth R., MD.The Best Alternative Medicine,

Chapter 7, ‘‘Naturopathic Medicine,’’ and Chapter 10,

‘‘Ayurvedic Medicine and Yoga’’ New York: Fireside

Books, 2002.

Vasey, Christopher, ND.The Detox Mono Diet: The Miracle

Grape Cure and Other Cleansing Diets.Translated from

the French by Jon E. Graham. Rochester, VT: Healing

Arts Press, 2006.

Wigmore, Ann.The Sprouting Book. Wayne, NJ: Avery

Publishing Group, 1986.

COOKBOOKS

Andrews, Sheila.The No-Cooking Fruitarian Recipe Book.

Wellingborough, UK: Thorsons Publishers, 1975.

Gittleman, Ann Louise.The Fat Flush Cookbook. New

York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.

PERIODICALS

Alexander, Jane. ‘‘Demystifying Detox.’’Experience Life 6

(May 2004). [cited May 4, 2007].<http://www.lifeti-

mefitness.com/>.

Griffin, J. ‘‘Health and Fitness Series— ‘‘Popular Diet-

ary Fads: How Should Health Professionals

Respond?’’Journal of Family Health Care13 (2003):

65–67.

Haas, Elson, MD. ‘‘The Purification Process: Healing for

Modern Times.’’ San Rafael, CA: Preventive Medical

Center of Marin, 2002. [cited May 4, 2007].<http://

http://www.elsonhaas.com/articles/article_20.html>.

OTHER

Haas, Elson, MD. ‘‘Detoxification and the Detox Diet.’’

1999.<http://www.elsonhaas.com/articles/article_01

.html>.

‘‘Scientists Dismiss Detox Schemes.’’BBC News. January 3,

2006. [cited May 4, 2007].http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/
      health/4576574.stm.
      ORGANIZATIONS
      American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP).
      4435 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 403, Washington,
      DC 20016. Telephone: (866) 538-2267 or (202) 237-


2007. Website:http://www.naturopathic.org.
      American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA). P.O. Box
      2016, Edmonds, WA 98020. Telephone: (425) 967-0737.
      Website:http://www.holisticmedicine.org.
      American Vegan Society (AVS). 56 Dinshah Lane, P.O. Box
      369, Malaga, NJ 08328. Telephone: (856) 694-2887.
      Website:http://www.americanvegan.org/index.htm.
      National Center for Complementary and Alternative
      Medicine (NCCAM). 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda,
      MD 20892. Telephone: (888) 644-6226. Website:
      http://nccam.nih.gov.
      National Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine (NIAM). 584
      Milltown Road, Brewster, NY 10509. Telephone: (845)
      278-8700. Website:http://niam.com.

Rebecca J. Frey, PhD

DHEA

Definition

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a precursor

(prohormone) of the sex hormones estrogen and testos-

terone. It is a steroid produced naturally by the adrenal

glands and is also sold as a dietary supplement.

Purpose

Many claims have been made for DHEA including

that it fights aging, burns fat, increases muscle mass,

boosts the immune system, eliminated symptoms of men-

opause, prevents Alzheimer’s disease, and can treat

everything from inflammatory bowel syndrome to

cocaine withdrawal. There is little or highly questionable

evidence to support most of these claims. DHEA does

have medical uses in treating adrenal insufficiency (Addi-

son’s disease) and systemiclupus erythematosus (SLE).

DHEA