Starting A Detox? Here Are Top 6 Things You Should Know

Picture this:

You’re feeling a little off and are seeing symptoms that make no sense to you. You don’t understand what’s going on inside your body.

Finally, you come across the concept of “Detox” and read up on the “Signs that you are in need of a detox.” Sure enough, you check all the boxes on the list.

You know you need a detox. But what comes next? 

If you are starting a detox, we’d like to bring your attention to 6 all-too-often overlooked aspects that you should consider.

Scroll down to learn more.

Top 6 Things To Know Before Starting a Detox

1.    Know Your “Why” Before Starting A Detox

Know your why. We bet you’ve heard this before. It applies to life in general, so why not to a detox?

It’s a simple question, “Why do you want to detox?”

Hopefully, it isn’t because of peer pressure or reversing the effects of over-indulgence with food, alcohol, or both.  A detox diet might feel good in the short term. In truth, however, detoxification will not permanently undo the damage due to over-indulgence.

For many, detoxing is not easy to stick through until the completion of the treatment. Knowing your why makes this seemingly uphill journey slightly easier.

“When you know your Why, you can endure any How” – Viktor Frankl

If you are unclear about what happens during a detox and want to know if it’s a good idea for you, read our guide to detoxification to get a better idea.

2.  Are You Detoxing for Weight Loss Alone?

Are you planning on starting a detox program for weight loss alone? Then know that you are not alone because detox for weight loss is the talk of the town. 

It’s popular, yes! But is it the right choice for you and your body? 

Read along as we debunk the many myths surrounding detoxes.

“To rid the body of toxins, drink a green juice,” says the multibillion-dollar detox industry. Sure, weight loss is often seen as one of the many end results of a detox program. But you need to know that signing up for weight-loss reasons ONLY — may come with consequences.

A sudden caloric deficit can shock your body’s metabolism. Researchers largely agree that too much fruit juice can alter blood sugar levels. What’s more, with this approach you can run the risk of electrolyte imbalance and metabolic acidosis.

More importantly, drastic diets and cleanses make it hard for keeping an exercise routine, which is vital for maintaining overall health & vitality.

See how we can help you restore complete health of body, mind & spirit.

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3. Holistic Detox, What Exactly Is It?

“Holistic” derived from the greek word “holos, meaning whole, is trending on the internet right now. And it’s here to stay.  It’s oversaturated use can often create confusion for many. 

Let’s understand what we mean when we say “holistic detox” at Innovative Medicine. 

A holistic detox program strengthens and supports your body’s innate toxin elimination pathways. By naturally restoring health without forced exertion, the removal of toxins is a gentle, sustainable approach to detoxification and is far more effective than a quick fix detox. Wouldn’t you agree? 

Okay, but how do you spot a holistic detox? 

When looking for one, ask if the detox plan will help answer these questions.

• What symptoms are you experiencing?
• What toxins are you putting into your body?
• Where in your body has toxin deposition occurred?
• Have toxins entered your systemic circulation?
• How is the health of your organs of elimination?
• What is happening with your overall gut health?
• How is your current mood and energy level?
• How is your diet & lifestyle reflective of your toxin composition?
• Discuss a detox treatment plan uniquely tailored to the needs of your body.

As a patient, asking the right questions can make all the difference to effectively restoring your health.

Before starting a detox, remember that it’s 100% okay to ask questions. If anything, it shows that you as a patient are well prepared and are willing to take responsibility for your health. 

4. There Is No “One-Size-Fits-All” Detox

The detox industry generalizes celery juice or liver detoxes to be applicable for everyone with similar results. 

Here’s some food for thought: 

How is a one-size-fits-all approach effective if everybody’s body constitution varies, along with their lifestyle and food preferences? 

For many, a one-size-fits-all approach to toxin removal can lead to frustration. And for good reason! Also, weight loss achieved in this way returns in no time because the detox protocol was not catered to the individual needs of the body.

Understanding your body and listening to its needs is a holistic approach that we highly endorse at Innovative Medicine. We believe it tops the list of things to consider before starting a detox.

Detox Myth: 

Liver cleanses are necessary to detox the liver.

Detox Fact:

Did you know? Your liver can detox without much help from the 7-day green juice cleanse that you may be tempted to begin? Your body is inherently equipped with pathways to eliminate toxins. Together, the liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, colon, and skin form a robust elimination system to regularly unburden your body of toxin buildup.

These organs function on their own without intervention from a quick fix 3-day cleanse.

Juices and liver supplements alone might not be the answer to your detox. But, we unanimously agree that cutting out processed foods and transitioning to real food is a step in the right direction.

5. What Comes After A Detox?

Many hold the expectation (which then leads to disappointment) that their body and mind will feel amazing right after a detox. Not surprisingly then, they look forward to jumping right back to their normal routine.

A quick detox cleanse might allow for a “normal” routine to establish. In truth, however, sometimes patients feel worse before they feel better. Herx or Herxheimer reaction is when headaches, nausea, muscle aches, fatigue and soreness are experienced during a detox treatment.

The key here is awareness of the possibility that these symptoms may show up.  Guidance and supervision from a licensed medical professional is advised. A mindset shift about what a detox entails and why symptoms are worsening can be a gamechanger. 

Remember – Do not panic!

6. Get Enough Sleep

Restful, regenerative sleep is one of the most important and unfortunately most overlooked aspects of detoxification. According to the 24hr Chinese body clock, the endocrine system, gallbladder, liver, lung, and large intestines function at their peak between 10 PM and 6 AM each night.

Disruption in your circadian rhythm and an out-of-whack sleep cycle impair the functioning of these organs of elimination.

Do you now see how winding down for the night in accordance with the 24hr body clock can do wonders? What are you waiting for? Get started and up your sleep game already!   

Are You Saying Yay or Nay For A Holistic Detox?

It’s not that toxins are not real. Undeniably, toxin overload in the body is how most disease-states take birth. That said, it’s important to recognize that juices and quick-fix cleanses cannot completely eliminate toxins just on their own.

A 360-degree view of a detox is not always discussed by the detox industry.  Also, detox doesn’t mean deprivation. And it most certainly should not feel like a punishment.

We hope reading this article has helped you gain a holistic perspective about detoxification. If you are starting a detox shortly, we know what you have learned today will help you make an informed decision about your detox protocol. To understand detoxification better, read “Your One-stop Exclusive Guide To Detoxification”.