Detox II

So I finished up the detox I mentioned on Sept. 7th a couple of days after that.  I've done detoxes often enough that I didn't do too badly, apart from blood sugar issues.  The Master Cleanse program with it's use of the maple syrup lemonade plays havoc with blood sugar regulation, and I almost felt better with water only.

For people who do get sick doing a detox, there is good news -- it convinces you quickly of how badly you need to do more detoxification work.  Symptoms that occur during detox include:  nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, itching, headaches, bad breath, achy joints, tiredness, and even mild fevers (though fevers can be from dehydration, too.)  These symptoms can get quite severe, even debilitating requiring  bed rest and a slowing down of the detox processes.  

What can you do about these symptoms?  First, do NOT take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, like advil, aspirin, or alleve; and no Tylenol either.  These mask your symptoms but defeat the goal by adding to the toxic load.  A couple of supplement things might help - chlorophyll and/or activated charcoal.  Neither one of these add toxins and both help to bind toxins that have been released, thus decreasing or eliminating their pesky side effects (symptoms) and they hold onto the toxins until they can be processed.

Hot baths for 20-30 minutes induce sweating that reduces toxin loads through the skin.  The bath can help itching especially, and if you put a couple tablespoons of oatmeal in a sock that you run the bath water through this also aids itchiness.  One caution: be well aware that raising your body temperature in the bath, also increases your body's metabolism and with it blood sugar can drop.  If you've been fasting and you pump up metabolism you can get dangerously dizzy or faint very quickly.  So, do the hot bath only after having taken some juice or something else with calories that will support your blood sugar level.

Enemas and mild herbal laxatives can speed up the elimination process and reduce toxin loads to reduce symptoms as well.   I have a hope for the end of this year or early next to have out an e-book about the great therapeutic value enemas can play in your overall health, so watch for that.

Finally as a last resort, if symptoms get too much then end the detox.  This is done by putting food back into your life.  If you've been off food for several days it is best to ease back into a diet, perhaps by juicing fruits and vegetables; then salads with small amounts of protein.  Protein shakes can also be used.  I particularly like the taste and the breakdown of a product called Muscle Milk, that is a whey-based protein.

As I said, if you've gotten sick on your detox you need to plan additional ones in the months ahead.  These can be accomplished through mild one day fasts where symptoms should be less pronounced, or if you are game to go it again, a longer several day fast program.  Happy detoxing.