Detox Protocol

A detox cleanse is a holistic health practice that alters your diet temporarily in order to remove stored toxins in your body. The goal is to help your body restore its natural metabolic rate. While detox cleanse programs are highly touted by a variety of natural diet advocates, doctors warn that there is little research to back any of the claims of these programs with serious medical risks. Always consult your doctor before beginning a new diet program.

Preparation

If you are doing a fasting detox, a diet where you only consume liquids, you will need to prepare your body. The week leading up to a fasting cleanse should consist of eating only raw foods, to reduce the amount of work your digestive system is doing. Raw foods include fruits, vegetables and unprocessed foods. The days just before should include only fruits and vegetables. By doing this, you will lower your caloric intake and your body will begin to slow down the digestive system, according to the Master Cleanse website. Your metabolism will still slow down during the detox, but it won't be as extreme and you will curb a lot of hunger pangs by not abruptly stopping eating. The fiber in fruits and vegetables will also stimulate your colon to push waste through to start the detox process.

During a Detox

When on a detox, it is important to drink adequate amounts of water. These are recommended by programs such as the Master Cleanser and the Fruit Juice diet. This helps to keep you hydrated and flush out any toxins that may be released into your system. Use herbal teas and salt-water solutions to help stimulate bowel movements during this period. The lack of food may lead to constipation.
If you are using herbal supplement for your cleanse instead of a fasting cleanse, you should take these after eating. Many herbal supplements such as milk thistle aid the liver and help digestion.

Care and Concerns

When you are on a detox cleanse you can expect certain side effects. The most common are headaches, lethargy and moodiness. These side effects are attributed to the toxins being released into your bloodstream. You should feel better once they are flushed out. Moodiness may also be a attributed to the lack of calories. It is advised to lighten your schedule when on a fasting cleanse to allow your body to work through this.
More serious medical concerns cited by Michael Picco, MD, of the Mayo Clinic, include anemia, low blood sugar and irregular heart beats. Should you experience dizziness while on a detox, you should seek immediate medical attention.