Here Are Some Last Thoughts on Detoxification

In the previous article, we looked at potential strategies you could adopt if you are set on doing a detox program.

In this final article of the series, we will look at what to expect should you decide to do a detox and share some final thoughts.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this series is for information purposes only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, neither is it to be construed as such. It does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment where required. Consult a doctor for medical advice, treatment or diagnosis.

Bear in mind, too, that any products recommended throughout this site have not necessarily been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. You must, therefore, take responsibility by doing your own research and discussing things with your healthcare provider.

If you ever intend to do detoxification, do discuss and clear it with your healthcare provider or a suitably qualified health professional.

Changes in society

Our modern societies have become much more complicated than they were in the past, say a hundred years ago. Therefore, what might have worked then does not necessarily work now.

With the strategies we seek to adopt to manage our health and fitness, we might need to do a bit of tweaking here and there to make them fit our needs.

Bear in mind, too, that, here in the US, things are even more complicated because we are dealing with a variety of changes to our food and water supply.

We are also the number one pill-popping nation on the earth. This last characteristic of the way we live does have implications for those of us striving to live healthy lives.

Not to mention having to deal with pandemics such as the coronavirus. This virus seems to be constantly mutating. At the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist, it might even have been designed to do so.

Not going there…

In any case, if you are paying attention to food advertising, it has returned to business as usual. There is even a TV advertisement here in the US featuring a well-known chocolate manufacturer where they are going into schools with their products.

The new sponsors of education?

Let’s get back to the topic.

What happens during a detox?

So, if you decide to do a detox, bear in mind that it does not have to be a full-blown program.

This is especially if you trying things out for the first time.

As with anything new, start small and be certain to clear things with your healthcare provider if you are on medications.

What follows is based on personal experience with doing a three-day fast. This may or may not be true for you. Remember Dr. Fred Hatfield’s Law of Individual Differences.

Each indicator is accompanied by a tip for dealing with it.

Bodily weakness

Sometimes this happens on the first day. The weakness might not immediately apparent until later on in the day and usually persists throughout the night. This is attributed to the drop in your food intake.

This is normal.

Bodily weakness might be accompanied by a headache, especially if you are a regular coffee drinker and you have not had any. This might be a marker that you are addicted to coffee and just need to take a break.

Tip: Drink plenty of water as soon as you wake up from sleep and throughout the day.

Especially during these hot summer months.

Mild dizziness and confusion

Again, this might be apparent on the first day. If you are doing a three-day program, it usually clears up on the second day.

Tip: doing some light activity that requires concentration and focus is helpful, as well as eating fruit (if you are focusing on fruit intake only). Orange juice is helpful here as well for your blood sugar levels.

Your stomach rumbles

We often have the mistaken idea that if our stomach is rumbling, then it must be time to eat. This idea is often reinforced by movies, cartoons, and so on.

Not necessarily.

Your body is already in a state of rest with you having slept through the night. The rumbling of your stomach is simply its way of relaxing from all of that digestion work it would normally be doing.

It is thus continuing in that state of rest.

Tip: just ride this out. It will subside after a while. Doing a few deep belly breaths is also helpful.

You feel drowsy

This is normal. Possibly linked with all of the other indicators.

Tip: Depending on your circumstances, you might wish to do some light exercise or work, then have a period of rest and relaxation.

You might even drift off to sleep.

Multiple times throughout the day.

This is why you need to plan for this. Do make sure that you don’t have to use any machinery or be driving anywhere.

If an emergency arises, stop the program and take care of it.

Try not to sleep too much during the day as you may have trouble sleeping at your regular bedtime.

Important!

This applies if you are on a full detox program comprising of at least three days and you intend to do this regularly for the long term.

Also, you CANNOT be on medications! Nor is this suggested for those of you who have high blood pressure, diabetes or any other medical condition.

Here goes.

If you are only doing water for that three-day period, day three is going to be your most difficult day. This is the time when the body kicks into high gear and starts dumping toxins into your bloodstream. Your pH levels (if you are into measuring this) will, most likely, rise.

Tip: Don’t panic. Stick with it. It will subside. You might experience a little euphoria as your energy levels stabilize.

One more tip. If you are planning a full detox program, you might wish to start off doing fruit and vegetables for the first three to four days (for example), then do your full detox over the weekend.

It all depends on your personal circumstances.

Could it be how we are using words?

Our bodies are capable of so much. In the normal scheme of things, they are also quite efficient with taking care of waste through the colon, the kidneys and bladder.

Sometimes, however, despite our best efforts, things don’t always work out and we then go hunting to find ways to hack our bodies.

We go searching for quick fixes that do not last. Short-termism is an embedded characteristic of our Western culture.

More likely than not, we have stopped listening to our bodies. Or else, we have never really learned to do so in the first place.

If you are familiar with the notion and/or practice of fasting, you will find that there is some overlap with this series. Could it be how we are using language?

Personally, being old-school, we prefer to use the word “fasting”.

While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with detoxification, the practice seems to be strongly associated with (Internet) marketing and thus we may fall prey to sources that are only out to make us part with our money.

Some final thoughts

If you are set on taking dietary supplements, do remember that…

Supplements are meant to do just that: supplement your food intake – not replace it. Besides you don’t take them for extended periods. That is, for any longer than you need to. You cycle them as and when you need to.

One thing you might notice too, especially during these hot summer months. You may find it difficult to stick to foods you tend to eat all year round simply because it is too hot to cook and/or enjoy them.

Could this be your body’s way of saying

I really don’t need all that food at the moment?

Your body

A kind of in-built signal to “detox”?

In which case, focus on eating fruit and vegetables. Then, once in a while, if you are able and inclined, include the other stuff such as eggs, meat, potatoes, fish, etc.

Feel free to snack on sweet and salty foods during the hot summer months. Don’t overdo them. Moderation is key.

So, to wrap up this series, remember:

• start small
• consult with a suitably qualified professional, if necessary
• focus on healthy eating and living
• keep the benefits in mind
• moderation is key when snacking
• relax and be calm because anxiety and worry are counterproductive.

Till next time…

Peace!