How to Avoid Detox Side Effects

Going through a detox—whether you choose hyperthermia, colonics, chelation, fasting detox, or a detox diet—is a fantastic way to boost your energy, strengthen your immune system, reduce your chances of contracting diseases, and losing weight. But there are both positive and negative side effects of any detox, and you should really know what you’re getting into so that you’re not surprised during the detox process.

Negative Detox Side Effects

Let’s get the bad news over with first, why don’t we? Depending on your level of health and the type of detox you choose, you could experience any number of less-than-pleasant side effects during your detox. The important thing to remember is that this is a natural part of the experience—you often get worse before you get better. Think of it this way—going through a detox is like removing the layers of an onion one at a time as you deal with each successive physical problem. Over the years, your body has had to deal with various assaults, from environmental toxins, a poor diet, stress, and lack of rest. In the process, it added layers of protection in order to prevent serious illness or diseases. As your body processes toxins, eliminates them from the body, and works to bring healing and rejuvenation to your entire being, you may experience some alarming and sometimes uncomfortable sensations.

Here are some of the more common experiences of people going through a detox or cleanse experience:

• Increased irritability
• Insomnia
• Sore muscles
• Headaches
• Cold or flu-like symptoms
• Feeling physically weak
• Dizziness

Mentally prepare for these possible detox side effects and you’ll be much better off when they rear their ugly heads!

Positive Detox Side Effects

But don’t be alarmed—it’s not all bad news! In fact, going through a cleanse is one of the most healing things you can do for your body, and the potential gains far outweigh the temporary discomfort you may feel while going through a detox or a cleanse. Here are some of the potential benefits:

• Weight loss
• Sharper intellect
• Clearer complexion
• Improved emotional stability
• Healthier digestive system
• Fewer headaches
• Lower frequency of illness due to a stronger immune system
• Elimination of allergies
• A fully-functional nervous system whose neurons can communicate with each other freely
• Clearer circulatory system
• Healthier lymphatic system

This is just a sample of the benefits detoxers have experienced after coming out of a cleanse or detox. You, too, can enjoy these detox “side effects” by trying out one of the many full body cleansing experiences available! An extreme form of body cleansing is the fasting detox. This type of detoxification involves abstaining from food for between one and 10 days, depending on the diet. In the place of solid foods, you consume only liquids, which can range anywhere from fruit juices to the “secret” drink popular in the Red Smoothie Detox Factor Cleanse. Fasting is a highly effective method for ridding your body of toxins that have been stored in tissues and your digestive tract over time. You see, when your body encounters a toxin that it can’t process, it’ll find a way to store it in your body—most often in fat. When you do a fast, your body is forced to begin burning fat, and as it does so, these stored toxins are released into the body so that they can be flushed from your system.

There are many variations on the fasting detox, but here are three of the most popular options:

• The Red Smoothie Detox Factor: Perhaps one of the most popular detox diets around, the Red Smoothie (also known as the Green Smoothie Diet, the South American Cleanse, and the 10 Day Detox) involves 10 days of fasting during which dieters consume many glasses of the red smoothie drink, made of organic lemons, filtered water, “secret ingredients”, and Avocados. Dieters are also encouraged to take a laxative tea and a salt water flush to further boost the effects of the detox. The red smoothie drink is said to satiate most feelings of hunger, although there are cravings and other side effects that participants must cope with.
• Green Juice fasting: Many people opt for juice fast both for weight loss and for cleansing purposes. These fasts consist of a liquid diet, or juices, instead of solid foods. The juices are generally made of raw vegetables and fruits, as well as filtered water, that are all blended together to make nutritious beverages that are also full of fiber. Most dieters go on a juice fast for between one and three days depending on the requirements and goals.
• Fast Track 4 Cycle Fat Loss Solution: Developed by Shaun Hadsall, a bestselling author and nutritionist, the Fast Track Carb Cycling Detox Diet has helped many people kick-start their weight-loss program while ridding the body of toxins and boosting metabolism. The plan begins with seven days of preparation that includes a diet of organic foods aimed at improving liver, kidney, and digestive health. On the eighth day, participants do a one-day fast during which they drink a “miracle juice” composed of lemon juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, stevia (a sweetener), ginger, and nutmeg. Participants also take psyllium husks or ground flaxseeds to add additional fiber. This is finally followed by three more days of the same special diet imposed in the initial seven days plus some additional “liver-loving” and “colon-loving” foods.

Regardless of which fasting detox diet you choose, be sure to consult your physician or natural health practitioner before beginning in order to ensure you do the diet safely and with no risks to your health. Certain medical conditions (pregnancy, diabetes, etc) can put you at risk if you don’t go through a fasting detox with mindfulness and control.