Detoxification, a type of cleansing that helps eliminate toxins from the body, involves many variables, some of which can contribute to detrimental outcomes.
Take this survey to find out if your home-based detoxification protocol is appropriate for your needs. If the total value of the survey is less than 25, then gentle detoxification programs over a week are probably safe. If your score is greater than 50, detoxification protocols should be overseen by an experienced provider. For scores between 25 and 50, your detoxification program may be risky to you.
It was previously believed that symptoms that occur in the first 1 to 5 days were a detoxification reaction and represented removal of toxins. Thus, they were considered a “relatively good” sign. However, we now know that this is not a positive sign. Such reactions indicate that there are likely problems with your body’s ability to detoxify appropriately. The cause may be nutritional deficiency or genetic inefficiency in the detoxification process or the actual reabsorption or redistribution of the toxic load. Each of these circumstances needs to be addressed.
Never attempt a detoxification protocol if you have fewer than one soft bowel movement a day. Never attempt a detoxification if you have reactions to taking vitamins, minerals, supplements, or medications.
A simple gentle detoxification for those whose scores are less than 25 could include a week of juicing a large variety of leafy greens, vegetables, and some fruit. Each juice elixir should include protein powder and essential fatty acids. Using a medicinal food would be most appropriate. These are available at theradianthealthapothecary.org.
Greenwich Integrative Medicine offers health coaching to review specific guidelines. Call 203-863-3615.
