Detox Symptoms: Can You Manage Them?
A detox diet is a type of diet in which a person makes drastic changes in the types of food he or she ingests in order to create a “cleansing effect.” A lot of benefits can be achieved from it, and different people have various reasons for trying them. One of the most popular is to lose weight.
We know that detoxification involves a drastic reduction of food intake, and this can result in considerable weight loss in a very short period. Others want to detoxify to clarify their skin, to eliminate lethargy, and to have a general sense of physical well-being.
People have reported feeling energized after going through detox diets. However, during the first few days, it is not unusual to experience symptoms as a result of the changes made. Naturally, we don’t get to read about these in accounts of celebrities who swear by their own detox diets. We only see them renewed with a fantastic figure and glowing skin after a few months of hibernation.
Below are some of the detox symptoms you might experience when you decide to try a program. A number of them may be minimal in some while others may experience a greater severity of detox symptoms.
Headaches – the logical explanation to experiencing headaches as detox symptoms is the sudden cutback in the amount of food intake. You may also feel anxiety at the changes you have to make, and it becomes more severe if you are at the same time stressed out at the office.
Fatigue – again, this may be due to the intake of smaller food portions in the detox process. Teenagers who are required to perform difficult tasks, especially cheerleaders and athletes, are not advised to go through extreme detox diets.
Bad skin – although detox is known to result in clearer, glowing skin, it’s common for people to experience skin eruptions as detox symptoms initially. This is because the appearance of pimples is linked to hormones, and even hormonal discharges are affected by detox diets.
Constipation or Diarrhea – the digestive system is targeted in detox processes, and this is a natural occurrence. The body takes time to adjust to changes in diet and one may experience one or both of these detox symptoms alternatively. It is expected to cease after the regimen, but be aware of how to balance these conditions. In cases of constipation, for instance, increase your fiber intake, while in the case of diarrhea, supplement your diet with lots of water.
The detox symptoms just mentioned are not constant for everyone. Some may experience one or all of them while others can easily adjust to detox and not be bothered by any of these symptoms. It is also important to note that those who undergo detox for a second or subsequent time may experience less symptoms than during their first attempts at detox.
As a final note, keep in mind that detoxification diets are recommended for use only for limited periods. Usually, you are advised to go on a detox for 1 week. Any longer and you may experience a breakdown in any of your systems because these diets are generally not nutritionally viable. Many of them lack the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients we need daily.
To be safe, follow these diets and their recommended durations and take them on again after several months or weeks.