21 Pounds in 21 Days: Martha's Vineyard Diet Detox

The title alone is enough to make even the most casual of skeptics cringe. It would appear the title is also enough to send people flocking in droves to their local bookstores (21 days debuted at #3 on the NY Times Bestseller list). Let's take a look at what people will find beyond the very alluring cover...

The contents of this book are every bit as outrageous as its title. According to the author, *"Dr." Roni DeLuz - the cause of our ill health can be summed up in one word...toxins. Indeed, this glib obscurantist concept is the reason why we are so fat - not our poor food choices and overindulgences thereof (an afterthought) or our lack of intentional exercise (not even mentioned).

The first chunk of the book is replete with the same unscientific rhetoric and mysticism as other toxin-theorists before her - with the usual dose of alarmist hearsay for good measure. Amongst the items on the "evil" list: Deodorants, fluoridated water, artificial sweeteners and pesticides, to name a few. The book also extols the virtues of other scientifically questionable concepts such as food combining and eating for enzymes. Of course nowhere in the book will you find proof in the form of journal references to substantiate her claims.

The program itself consists of a 3-part detox program centered liquid meals (juices/soups) and supplements. And of course no detox diet would be complete without a colon cleanse (a colonic is recommended).

So let's just pretend for a minute that losing 21 pounds in 21 days is reasonable/realistic/safe (I'm pretty sure it is none of the above). This is what you can look forward to less than a week into the cleanse, according to DeLuz;

• Acne
• Rashes
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Sleeplessness
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Runny Nose
• Ear Aches

Wow - sign me up! Of course these symptoms are due to the "toxins" being released from our bodies - not the near-starvation level of calories. But sadly, many people won't bat an eyelash at these undesirable side-effects if they will lose the weight as promised. DeLuz claims on her website that "It is not a starvation diet; it allows you to drink tasty, nutritious cocktails all day."

I don't know about you, but these "cocktails" are sounding an awful lot like Kool-Aid!

*Roni DeLuz holds "degrees" from Clayton School of Natural Healing and the American Holistic College of Nutrition - both schools are unaccredited. Her nursing degree is legitimate.

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