Cleanse Hugh | 11 Mar 2007 10:38 pm
Cleansing Response to Detox
Here’s an article about the cleanse response when going through a detox program, or increasing raw foods in your diet or supplementation. Some people get alarmed by the cleanse response and stop their program - which means they never get through to the other side to the health benefits and increased energy you experience when you have been through a cleanse.
THE CLEANSING PROCESS -
HOW YOUR BODY MAKES USE OF IMPROVED NUTRITION
By Jerry Freeman, Certified Nutritional Consultant
When you begin to use nutritional supplements that support the
endocrine and immune systems and cell-to-cell communication, and
when you adjust your diet according to your individual metabolic
type, your body will begin to make positive changes.
For most people, these changes will be comfortable and benefits
will be noticeable from the start. Common effects include more
energy, greater well-being, reduced discomfort, relief from acute
and chronic problems, more mental clarity, improved performance,
etc. Because everyone’s body is unique in the way it uses
nutrients, the timing and nature of the changes that occur will be
different for different people.
DETOXIFICATION
Over time our bodies accumulate toxins-from pesticides and other
chemicals in processed foods, from impure air and water, from
medications, from poor digestion and elimination, etc. Whenever the
metabolism isn’t able to remove a toxic molecule, it must store it
in the body, typically in the liver or fatty tissues. Later, when
the metabolism is stronger because of better nutrition, exercise,
improved hormone balance, reduced stress, etc., it will start to
flush out the stored toxins.
This cleansing response is part of the body’s natural health
building process. For most people, this process presents no problem.
They notice only positive benefits or slight temporary discomfort
and then positive benefits predominate….
The initial cleansing response explains how this can happen.
CLEANSING “REACTIONS”
For some people, however, the process of eliminating the stored
toxins is uncomfortable enough to warrant attention. These are
often the people who can gain the most from taking steps to rebuild
their health. It often happens that someone who feels worse after
starting a nutritional program eventually feels much better after
the initial cleansing reaction is completed.
Fatigue, headache,flu-like symptoms, skin reactions, mood changes,
changing sleep patterns, digestive reactions, aches and pains,
allergic symptoms, etc. may occur or increase during the cleansing
process. What type of reaction occurs depends on the unique body
chemistry and state of health of each individual. While most people
notice no reaction at all, some do experience one or more of those
listed-or some other reaction, according to their body’s own
functioning.
WHAT TO DO
These suggestions are good for everyone, regardless of whether or
not you’re experiencing any discomfort.
Drink plenty of water (purified, if possible) every day. 1 litre
per 50 kg of body weight is a good rule of thumb. This helps flush
the toxins from the cells, and it helps the kidneys with their
natural cleansing function.
Include fibre-containing foods in your diet, especially fresh
vegetables and whole fresh fruits. You may choose to use a dietary
fibre product containing psyllium or other bulk-forming fibre
source. The fibre helps to absorb toxins and “sweep out” the
digestive tract.
Try to eat mainly fresh, whole foods. Avoid processed foods,
refined foods and foods containing toxins and “anti-nutrients”
(sugars, caffeine, alcohol, artificial flavours and colours,
chemicals, etc.). This will reduce the work of processing unhealthy
foods, and it will increase the available nutrition for your body
to rebuild itself.
Reduce your exposure to environmental toxins and pollutants. Allow
plenty of fresh air in your living and work places, avoid fumes
from strong-smelling products, reduce your exposure to cigarette
smoke, etc. Reducing your daily load makes it easier for your body
to get rid of old toxins.
Exercise. Pick an amount and type of exercise that’s appropriate
for your state of health (check with your doctor if you have any
doubts). For most people, walking at least 15 minutes a day is a
good way to start. Exercise increases circulation, respiration and
cellular metabolism. It helps the body burn off toxins and wastes
and/or pumps them out of the system.
Listen to your body and do whatever you need to do to stay within a
manageable comfort zone. You may find that a smaller helping of a
particular nutritional product is better for you, either
temporarily while there’s a strong cleansing response, or long-term
due to your individual body chemistry. You may even decide that a
particular supplement simply isn’t right for you.
If a cleansing reaction is too strong, you can reduce or even stop
taking the supplements for a few days until you feel better, and
then gradually build back up to a regular daily amount. (Some
people need to go very slowly, using very small amounts for a
while. These are often the people who eventually have the most
dramatic transformation in well-being if they follow through.) You
may need to repeat this cycle more than once.
If a symptom causes concern check with a health professional. Some symptoms may be unrelated to the body’s healing response, or the healing response itself may draw attention to an underlying problem.
That’s it for this week - to your good health!
Kate
