Top 5 Detoxing Mistakes

Detoxing can be a good way to improve your health. You can reset your taste buds and metabolism. You can lose weight. You can get the toxins out of your body, blood and organs. With all of the benefits of detoxing, it’s also easy to make mistakes. These mistakes can derail your detoxing plan. However, knowing the mistakes in advance helps you prepare for them and avoid them. You can have a safe, effective and well managed detox.

Cover of Detox (Natural Care Handbook)Mistake #1: Choosing The Wrong Detox Plan

There are a wide variety of detox plans and programs. Some are designed for weight loss. Others are designed to help you eliminate a dependency on sugar, caffeine or gluten. Others are simply designed to help you purge toxins from your body. When you choose the right program, it’s much easier to stick to it. It’s also easier to recognize the benefits of detoxing and to celebrate the rewards.

Mistake #2: Not Preparing For The Side Effects

Most detox programs have side effects. They include headaches, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, insomnia and mood swings. There are a few common reasons for the side effects. Most of them are caused by withdrawal. If you include sugary foods in your daily diet, going “cold turkey” can cause withdrawal. Eliminating caffeine and starchy carbohydrates can also cause withdrawal symptoms.

The other commonly held theory behind the side effects is the release of toxins into your body. When you detox you’re experiencing a sudden release of toxins from your tissues into your body. Your body will need to work to get them out of your system. Drinking lots of water helps.

Mistake #3: Bad Timing

Detoxing can be incredibly challenging. It’s best to detox during a weekend or a low stress time. That way you can take care of your body and manage your side effects without additional outside stress. If you cannot time your detox for a weekend or a vacation, consider choosing a gentle detox plan. There are plans that last a week or two but don’t require a sudden elimination.

Mistake #4: Not Drinking Enough

You’ll likely experience diarrhea when you’re detoxing. This is part of the purging your body of toxins. Make sure you drink plenty of water. The water will help you stay hydrated. It will also help the toxins get out of your body more quickly. Drinking water, and green tea if the diet allows, will also help you prevent headaches.

Image via WikipediaMistake #5: Not paying attention to your body

It’s very important to pay attention to your body during the detox process. It is possible to detox too fast. It’s also possible that detoxing can be bad for you. It’s not right for everyone. If you have compromised health or are fighting an illness, it’s not the right time to detox. Pay careful attention to how your body is reacting. It is okay to stop detoxing or to take it more slowly.

Detoxing can provide a number of powerful health benefits. Choose a plan that fits your needs, goals and lifestyle. Pay close attention to your body and prepare for the detox well and always remember to consult your doctor before starting. To your great health!

What to Expect From a Detox Diet

If you’re considering a detox diet it’s important to know what to expect. Detoxing can improve your health. However, they’re not easy. Detoxing can be a very big challenge. Whether you’re undergoing an extreme cleanse or a gentle detox diet, here’s what to expect.

Image by Silver Starre via Flickr#1 Headaches. Headaches are a very common side effect of a detox diet. It’s generally attributed to withdrawal.

For example, if you regularly drink a few cups of coffee in the morning and suddenly you stop drinking it, you may experience a headache. Your body is accustomed to the regular consumption of caffeine and will go through withdrawal when it is no longer present.

You can experience withdrawal from sugar and foods that act like sugar in your body as well. Any detox diet will eliminate junk food and high glycemic foods. If you’re accustomed to eating them you quite well may experience a headache.

You can reduce the effects of the headache by making sure you’re well hydrated. This flushes the toxins from your body. Also, headaches can be caused by dehydration which is also a common side effect from a detox diet. Drink a lot of water or tea.

#2 Diarrhea. Diarrhea is caused by a number of things. When you detox you’re intentionally influencing the release of toxins from your tissues so you can purge them from your body. They are expelled from your body when you go to the bathroom and when you sweat. You’ll likely go to the bathroom often as your body eliminates toxins. You may also experience diarrhea simply due to the detox products or foods you’re consuming.

For example, if you’re drinking a detox tea or taking herbs then you are promoting a laxative effect. Also, if you’re juicing then you’ll likely be consuming much more fiber than you’re accustomed to which can cause diarrhea. However, if you are detoxing using only natural and fresh foods, most people should not experience this side effect, although you may find relief from constipation if that is an issue for you.

#3 Insomnia. Often the first few days of a detox are a bit disruptive. Your body is adjusting to your new eating habits or routine. This can cause a bit of insomnia. It’s best to try to detox over a weekend when you can grab naps throughout the day and not get overtired.

Image by sillydog via Flickr#4 Mood swings and irritability. It’s very common to feel quite moody when you’re detoxing. Not only are you dealing with the stress and emotional issues of not being able to eat normally, you’re also purging toxins from your body which can cause hormones to become temporarily imbalanced. Not to worry, when the detox is over you’ll feel ten times better and your systems will have essentially ‘reset’.

#5 Renewed energy, vitality and mental clarity. Once the detox is over most people report feeling fantastic. They have more energy. They have more mental clarity. They are also better able to manage stress and lose weight. Once your detox is complete, and even prior to completion, you will likely begin to feel quite wonderful. This is because the toxins have left your body and you’re regaining your health.

Detoxing can be difficult. Depending on the detox plan you’ve chosen and your detox goals you may experience a few side effects. Many people report that the benefits far outweigh the temporary side effects. Detox smartly. Be prepared for the side effects. Choose a plan that’s right for you and make sure you’re healthy enough to detox by consulting your doctor before staring any detox plan.