We are exposed to chemicals and toxins on a daily basis, at work, at home, in the air we breathe, in the food we eat, and in the water we drink. As the public becomes more aware of the toxins residing in their bodies through contaminants like heavy metal pesticides etc, and improper nutrition due to poor diets, there is a growing interest in protocols and cleanses. of detox.

Do a Google search on “clean”. There are almost 15,000,000 results! There are body cleanses, liver cleanses, colon cleanses, cleansing diets, juice fasts, detox recipes, and so on. It is a very broad subject and a big business.

So, you did some research, maybe you bought a cleanse kit online or at your local health food store, or you got a diet book on various types of cleanses, and you hit the ground running. You’ve been in protocol for a couple of days and you feel really, really bad. You have headaches, your energy is low, maybe you are suffering from diarrhea. You’re wondering if this cleaning thing is so over the top because you’re supposed to feel better than when you started, not worse. You are ready to throw it all away and go back to your old ways.

Actually, in all likelihood, the cleanup is working exactly as it should and what you’re feeling is probably a Herksheimer reaction. The Herksheimer reaction is a term that describes the principle that you get worse before you get better when you use, for example, an antibiotic or other health solution. This is due to the release of toxins as the body responds to the remedy. Many people have a lot of bugs and toxins in their system and if you kill them too quickly you will get a Herksheimer reaction (weakness, nausea, etc.).

The safest solution is to work with your ND or healthcare professional to ensure you experience minimal adverse side effects when you begin your cleansing regimen. If you do it yourself, follow the instructions for the cleaning you have chosen to the letter. If you get a strong Herksheimer’s reaction, you should probably lower the dosage or spread the cleanse over a longer period of time. Of course, if adverse symptoms persist, consult your health professional.

Cleanses work, but not all cleanses are right for everyone. Remember, too, that toxins in your body didn’t build up overnight, so don’t expect to feel on top of your game the day after you start a cleanse.