1. DETOXIFICATION and POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS
By Dr. John Mory
What is detoxification ? for a while, you may notice that you have less
energy and you may even have a headache.
Detoxification is the term used to describe the When you change your diet or lifestyle, the
process your body goes through to get rid of same thing happens; your body reacts to the
toxins. Detoxification symptoms - both change.
physical and mental - may appear when you
alter your lifestyle by starting something new, Why does this happen ?
such as changing your diet or exercising, or
by discontinuing a current habit, such as As we live, toxins accumulate in our bodies.
eating chocolate or drinking coffee. These Some of these are due to our diet and others
symptoms include headache, skin eruptions are due to the environment around us. Of
(rash), stomach ache, cough, diarrhea, course, our lifestyle also fits in - if you smoke
clogged sinus, and fever, as well or use alcohol you are accumulating even
as feeling rundown and irritable. The more toxins. When you make a change in diet
symptoms may be of short duration and or lifestyle, through stopping a bad habit or
slight irritation, or they could last longer and eating better, your cells begin to eliminate the
cause you considerable discomfort. toxic substances. Before finding the exit,
however, the toxins are released into the
Because these symptoms are the same as bloodstream and are carried through the
those that show up in certain illnesses, circulatory system.
changing your diet or lifestyle can result in
misunderstanding . . . This transportation and elimination may result
in headache, diarrhea, or constipation, and
If I am doing something that is supposed to often toxins are eliminated through the skin,
be good for me, why do I have these resulting in rashes or skin problems
unpleasant symptoms ? Why do I feel worse, (especially if you are prone to such problems).
and not better ?
You may also feel a lack of energy, especially
Understanding this apparent contradiction is if you are eliminating meats from your diet.
perhaps the first, and most important, hurdle (The protein found in meat is more stimulating
you must get over when making a dietary or than that found in vegetables.) You may also
lifestyle change. find that, with the absence of toxins, you
absorb substances more easily. Thus, the
If you consider this contradiction carefully, sugar and caffeine in a soda might really set
however, it is easy to understand. Think of you off.
how you might have experienced this on a
short-term basis. If you do not get regular In a nutshell, we could say that the body
exercise and then play some softball with always goes for quality, and when the food
your kids, the next day you might feel bad - coming in is of higher quality than the present
tired with sore muscles. This is your body tissue, the body will discard the present tissue
reacting to something that it is not used to because it wants to make room for tissue
doing. You can see the same thing when created by the higher-quality food.
you stop a regular activity; if you are a soda
drinker and stop drinking soda

2. How severe are the symptoms and how you will find that the period of symptoms is
long do they last ? shorter and the period of well- being greater.
How long the symptoms last and how severe What can I do during this period ?
they are depend on your lifestyle before
making a change and how quickly you make The hardest thing for many people to do is
a change. If you have a diet heavy in red accept that they are not sick and realize that
meats, for example, and become a vegetarian the body is cleansing itself. Once you get
overnight, you might have severe symptoms beyond this psychological barrier, the rest is
for a time. If your lifestyle changes are easy.
gradual, the symptoms could be less severe.
The most important thing to do can be
The duration of the symptoms might not be summed up in one word . . . Rest. Rest,
linear; there is a greater chance that they will and let the body do what it needs to. If you
come in cycles. have the luxury of staying home, do so! If not,
cut back on social engagements and perhaps
At first you may feel great and then even cut back on any exercise you are
experience some detoxification symptoms. getting. Give your body as much energy as
After the initial toxins are flooded out, you possible to do its jobs.
will feel good again, if not better. However, as
the body "goes deeper" and finds more toxins Eat light foods that are easy to digest -
to eliminate; the symptoms may reappear consume fruits and vegetables and drink
again, and after more toxins are eliminated, plenty of water.
you will feel better yet. As things progress,
Some Possible Detoxification Symptoms:
• Headache • Stomach Ache
• Diarrhea • Gas
• Constipation • Bad Breath
• Irritability • Excess Perspiration
• Fatigue • Cough
• Clogged Skin • Moodiness
• Cold Symptoms • Excess Mucous