CLEVELAND -- The "21-Day Detox" diet is growing in popularity, but many doctors warn that it's not a cure-all.

NewsChannel5's Alicia Booth reported that the diet encourages people to be their own doctor.

Founders of the plan said it cleans people's system of the air pollution and the hormones and pesticides in the food they eat.

The diet promises to help people lose weight, shrink their stomachs, boost energy and stop disease. It calls for no meat, no dairy, and no sugar, as well as seven straight days of drinking very healthy homemade shakes.

Doctors warned, though, that the diet is not a cure-all. Critics said the program is unnecessary and many health care providers are not convinced that fasts or detoxification programs work.

"There's no such thing as detoxification through a three-week diet," said Dr. Peter Pressman, an assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Southern California. "It's certainly not medicine and it's potentially quite dangerous, especially if embarking on such a diet delays seeking mainstream medical care."

However, many people who have completed the detox diet said they feel rejuvenated and even have better skin.

It's not easy, though; some people complain of being dizzy on the diet.

People interested in trying the diet should check with their doctor first.

For more information on the diet, click here.