Detox Side Effects
All the unpleasant symptoms you normally get when you're on a detox programme probably won't appear if you follow the advice in this book. Feelings of exhaustion, irritability, bad breath and so on happen not because your body is eliminating toxins but because you're starving it. Since you're not going to do that, they are unlikely to occur. However, on some of the specialist plans you may find you experience some side-effects, which are all detailed here - along with ways to alleviate them.
Headaches
These may occur if you give up or reduce the amount of caffeine in your diet. If you drink tea or coffee daily, the blood vessels in the brain become constricted; take the caffeine hit away and they dilate, triggering headaches. Dab a little lavender oil on your temple or buy some tiger balm, which will relieve even the worst headache.
Skin problems
If you come out in a rash it may not be due to toxins leaving the skin. It's more likely to be a reaction to an aromatherapy oil or a grimy body-brush. Do a skin-patch test with each oil and soak your brush in a solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach to one cup of water, then rinse well.
Increased urination
Don't panic. Generally, the more you pee the more toxins you expel. It will be most common on the Weight-loss Plan. In food intolerances, the body conserves water to dilute the offending food. So when you eliminate them from your diet, you may urinate more. If you urinate too often, though, it may be that you are drinking water too quickly.
Stomach problems
If you eat four to five detox foods a day, you'll be taking in a lot of fibre. If you get stomach cramps, reduce the amount of fibre and build up slowly. If you get cramps while taking psyllium, lower your dose or stop. On the Decaf and Stop Smoking Plans, you may become constipated because caffeine and smoking stimulate the bowel.
Cravings
Cravings are often psychological: when people are on diets, they start to fixate on what they can and can't eat. However, if you're not eating enough, your body will crave foods it knows gives it energy fast. Eating more regularly or adding more protein to meals can reduce cravings.
Detox benefits
You'll have more energy, your skin and hair will look healthier, you'll probably lose weight and you'll sleep better. Once your first plan is finished, you'll notice how you have re-educated your body and how good you .feel. It may spur you on to try some other plans.