So what is the problem with detox side effects?

We are often asked about the side effects of detoxification. Whether you’re embarking on a metabolic cleanse or dissolving biofilms, you may experience some brief, but not-so-pleasant side effects. This is not unusual, but it can make our patients nervous if they don’t know exactly what they might feel during the process.

Metabolic cleanses are designed to get your system working optimally again. They include active ingredients to help heal the liver and pancreas and get the bile and toxins moving in the right direction (well, technically, the bile starts doing its job properly again and the toxins are permanently flushed out of your system) .

Biofilms, in short, are gelatinous protective coatings that are developed by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, yeast, and even fungi and parasites, so that they can successfully thwart the effectiveness of drugs and supplements intended to destroy them. A pretty nifty example of evolution in action, although not much fun for its human hosts! In patients in whom low-grade pathogenic infections impede well-being, we seek to dissolve these coatings to better combat pathogens. It’s almost impossible for supplements, and even prescription antivirals and antibiotics, to be fully effective against these nasties until their protective coatings dissolve. Enter the stage on the right: Monolaurin (we recommend the Lauricidin brand in our practice), which is a proteolytic enzyme that helps break down these films, and Serrapeptase, a harvested derivative of silkworms (we know, wild stuff, right! ?) It goes without saying that pathogens that have found their way into human bodies really like their accommodation, they don’t want to be evicted or eliminated. They will fight! They will eventually die as the drugs and supplements we take begin to work, and as these pathogens die, they release toxins that the body must filter out.

These are not always easy processes for the people involved. Although we know from years of practice and lots of academic evidence, they will feel exponentially better once the process is complete. It’s just the getting over it part that can be a bit uncomfortable, while wellness remains the end goal.

Common side effects of metabolic cleanses and biofilm dissolution can include: fatigue, mild bloating, stomach upset (gas, bloating, diarrhea), joint aches and pains, skin rashes, and sometimes hives, as well as mental confusion and mild anxiety (usually caused by “not knowing” and a general feeling of discomfort, even if only temporary).

If you experience any combination of these side effects, know that they are completely normal and there is nothing to worry about. We know they can be uncomfortable, but they are short-lived. They are usually only noticeable for the first 24 to 72 hours and will subsidize thereafter. Our advice is this: Get plenty of rest. Sleep is essential whether our immune system is fighting something or not. It is much more important when we are not feeling our best. Our bodies regenerate and do their best immune work at rest. During the detox, make sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. Drink a lot of water. You want to stay well hydrated and your system flushed. This will help speed up the process and help you get through it more quickly. If your symptoms start to make you feel sick to your stomach, especially fatigued, or brain fog becomes a hindrance, you can seek activated charcoal (which will take about an hour after your detox supplements, as if to give you a chance to work without being absorbed by the carbon and inadvertently removed from your system). You can start with one capsule and increase to two if your symptoms do not decrease. However, we found that one capsule is enough activated charcoal to bind with these toxins and biofilms to get them out of your system. Also, a teaspoon of bentonite clay mixed with a little water and consumed with your detox protocol works just as well and in the same way as activated charcoal.

The benefits of detoxification far outweigh the discomfort they bring, and again, they are not permanent and generally do not last long. Some people will actually go through the process without a single physical sign that things are working as they should. If these tips don’t help how you feel during a detox, always consult your doctor to review the timing and dosage of your protocol.