Fasting Detox Cleansing can give you a magnificent boost in all areas, physical, mental and spiritual. There is a huge price for undergoing this type of discipline. The ‘barrier‘ which keeps many from going the distance, undoubtedly, are the nasty detox symptoms. I can’t call them ‘negative side effects,’ but they can indeed be quite strong and unpleasant.
For some people there are hardly any symptoms at all. For others, like me, they can be strong and quite challenging. I will be writing a lot about detox symptoms, so make sure to take the time and read these articles so that you can be prepared. The good news is that the body detox symptoms pass, usually in nine to eleven days of water fasting and 14 to 21 days of Juice fasting.
If you are doing a shorter cleanse such as seven days or nine days with the Master Cleanse Lemonade Diet, you probably will feel the symptoms for most of the duration. It all depends on your level of toxicity. If, like me, you have eaten poorly for a long time, I advice you to expect the best but get ready for the worst.
Detox cleanse side effects are caused by the toxins in the body being released into the bloodstream as the body goes into ketosis, feeding from stored fat instead of the daily intake of food. In other words, when one stops eating for more than 48 hours (or notably reduces calorie intake), the body starts to tap into stored fat to provide the energy that it would normally receive from meals.
Stored fat ‘hides’ the very worst of the toxins that have accumulated for the food we eat, beverages we drink, as well as from the environment. When these toxins start to flow freely in the blood stream, one goes into a healing crisis of sorts. This healing or ‘curative’ process is miraculous because all of these toxins get flushed out of the body. But, as I said, the going can get rough while the detox cleansing takes place.
After going without food for eight-to-twelve hours, you can expect to start feeling intense hunger, headaches, dizziness, nausea, fever, weakness and/or diarrhea. These do not usually come all at once. The headaches, hunger and weakness usually come first. After one or two days the dizziness can become quite strong.
It may be difficult to walk around, concentrate and perform the tasks that you would normally do with ease. Don’t look at it as a negative. Realize that, even though you aren’t feeling well, you are getting better because all of that filth is getting purged out of your body.
You may feel quite sleepy and very grumpy. Mood swings are also normal. You may suddenly become very emotional, get angry or sad for no apparent reason. Hang in there. Your soul also is being purged. I believe that detox cleansing opens doors to the subconscious mind and begins to ‘detox’ our hearts, thoughts and emotions.
That is why I always suggest that one maintain a detox cleansing journal and spend time writing in it as often as possible. It is likely that you may receive some interesting insights about your life. Those are nuggets that you surely do not want to miss, so by all means keep a journal and write on it frequently.
Body aches are common, including pain in the soles of your feet, neck, lower back, chest, arms and legs. Again, the trash is being taken out. So this is all good and you will feel much, much better once the detox cleanse is completed. Of course, exercise caution and vigilance. If you notice, for example, that the chest pains are becoming quite strong and do not go away, discontinue the cleanse and see your doctor – just in case.
In most cases these symptoms are quite temporary and do not last longer than a few hours or perhaps a day at worst. Some of the detox cleanse symptoms may come, go and then return for a bit longer. That is also pretty normal. The onset of these detox cleansing symptoms is why it is best to do all of this at home when you can take time off. It is suggested that you do not go at this alone, especially if it is your first time. You may become quite weak and dizzy. In some cases, fainting happens.
You must move slowly and never get up abruptly from a sitting position. Drink lots of water; at least half a gallon daily or more. Seltzer water helps to quite hunger pangs, and decaf green tea can help to give you a pep of energy to counteract the weakness.
If you intend to do the detox cleanse while continuing to work and carry out daily activities, you will have to be very careful. Rest is the best remedy. If you are able to take a nap when you start to feel ill, so much the better. Do not be surprised if you have some strange dreams and/or even nightmares. The toxins flowing through the bloodstream can cause those as well.
If you drink a lot of coffee, then the headaches can become quite uncomfortable for around 72 hours. You don’t’ have to be a martyr. If the pain gets bad, go ahead and drink some watered-down coffee to help you get through it. The best way to minimize detox cleanse symptoms is to prepare for the process at least seven days before.
You can do this by starting to tape off the caffeine as well as reduce your intake of sugar, fat and junk food. If you can start to eat ‘light’ seven days prior to the detox cleanse, you will sidestep the worst of the symptoms. Eat more salads, vegetables, fruit and lean meats in preparation for the detox cleanse. In other words, take out the junk and allow your body to get ready for the detox.
In short, drink plenty of water and get as much rest as possible. Let the body work its way through the detox cleanse. Remain as still as possible and wait for the process to culminate. You will be very glad that you did. The dividends in health, energy and overall well being can be enormous. If you are willing to pay the price and navigate through the discomfort, the sky’s the limit. Nothing compares to the sense of peace and tranquility that comes when we are totally clean of toxins.
