Detoxing is a waste of money and time as the body clears away toxins itself, an expert warns.

Here, writing for The Conversation, Dr Veronique Chachay, a dietitian from The University of Queensland, she explains how the body has already beaten you to your detox programme.

A detox is based on the idea that 'toxins' accumulate and the body needs regular purification.

They cover everything from enemas and colonic irrigation, lemon juice detox or water fasts to exclusion of certain food groups, purging with herbs, large-dose nutrient supplementation and sweat lodges, among other things. 

And they're generally a waste of money and effort.

In medical terms, detoxification means removing poisons or the build-up of toxic substances, when large amounts have been consumed or have come into the body through inhalation or skin exposure. 

It's only used when the amount or type of substance is such that our body's natural detoxification systems are unable to clear it.

The body's detoxification system uses the skin (via sweat and sebum), liver and gall bladder (bile), kidneys (urine), lungs, lymphatic system (lymph) and intestines (faeces) to get rid of toxins.

There's no scientific basis or high-level evidence showing the benefits of commercial short-term detox programs.

Still, there's good news too: your internal detoxification system, which includes numerous organs and enzymes coded for in your DNA, works around the clock to process toxins as needed.

Not consuming any alcohol, or masses of chocolate and fried food, for a few weeks may (depending on what you're eating in their stead) reduce the amount of detoxification your body needs to perform.