The Ups and Downs of a Reboot

Reboot may make things worse before they get better!

Have you heard this before? “Improving your health may make things worse before they get better.” It seems like a strange phenomenon but it is often the case. Many chronic health complaints are aggravated initially when you start to add more nutrients to your body but with time and consistency the “flare-ups” usually subsides and will likely continue to disappear altogether. This is what we call a healing crisis. It can range from mild to moderate to severe depending on the level of toxins being released. The more toxins that float around in the blood, the worse the symptoms can be.  To put it simply, the harder you are on your body with the amount of processed foods, sugary foods, alcohol etc. you consume the harder it will be to rid your body of those harmful toxins, which means more symptoms and withdrawals.

Common symptoms include headaches, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, mood swings, aches and pains, sleep disturbances, body odor, oral complaints, flu-like symptoms, skin complaints, reduced immunity, foggy thoughts, asthma, coated tongue and fluid retention.

Other factors that may contribute to detox symptoms are:

• Poor lifestyle and dietary habits before the cleanse
• How hard and fast you hit the detox
• Preparation before the detox
• Hereditary factors – predisposition to certain health complaints such as headaches, skin conditions, sinusitis and digestive complaints
• Eliminative organ health –  liver, kidney, digestive and skin health 

Symptoms of detoxification generally occur when the body is adjusting to a much higher nutrient intake combined with fewer toxins to process and metabolize such as alcohol, caffeine, sugar, processed foods, meat and dairy products. This higher nutrient intake then enables the body to start a healing process. When this healing process occurs the body releases stored toxins and they are then released back into the blood stream where they can cause inflammation as they re-circulate in the blood and around the organs to be processed again and eliminated via the bile, urine, bowel and skin.

This increase in toxin release and excretion can aggravate many existing conditions or anything you may be sensitive or predisposed to.

To reduce possible detox reactions please follow these 9 important steps:

1).    Preparation is key! Before completing a Reboot we highly recommend a week of preparation to reduce detox symptoms.

2).    Drink plenty of water! Boring I know but SO important. This aids elimination and dilutes the circulating toxins in the blood stream and aids elimination via the skin, kidneys and bowel.

3).    If you find the juices are too strong just dilute these down and include cooling, light vegetables such as cucumber, zucchini, lettuce, celery and coconut water. These are high in electrolytes which will reduce detox symptoms.

4).    Increase your electrolyte intake to reduce aches & pains, fatigue, foggy thoughts and  headaches. Coconut water is an excellent source for its electrolyte content. Here is more on electrolytes.

5).    Vegetable pulp broths may also reduce and calm down many detox reactions including cravings.

6).    It is important to listen to the body and detox accordingly in order to keep the symptoms at a level you feel comfortable with.

7).    Drink herbal teas such as dandelion coffee/tea, nettle leaf, licorice, peppermint, chamomile, rosehips etc.

8).    For digestive flare-ups such as constipation, diarrhoea, reflux, flatulence– here are some useful tips.

9).    Certain superfoods that have a very high antioxidant content can aid elimination of toxins and heavy metals such as coriander, parsley and garlic as mentioned in Why Detox – for more information?

Our Rebooters often have so many questions about detox reactions and I hope this reduces any concerns about why these things happen when you’re all about getting healthy. In the movie Joe spent the first few days of his 60 day juice journey sleeping these symptoms off. Be assured that all will likely be fabulous once you get past these symptoms by following the above suggestions!! Please let us know if you have any further questions!! ENJOY!!!