Both experts and people who have been on Detox diets agree that the first 3 days are the most difficult. Specifically, the first day is the hardest. In addition to experiencing hunger pangs, most people experience unpleasant symptoms as toxins are released from their bodies. These symptoms range from nausea, vomiting, and headaches to irritability, nightmares, and insomnia. All of these experiences are the result of the release of toxins from the body, which in many cases have been accumulating for several years.
In his book “The Detox Book”, Bruce Fife describes the difficulty many people experience in the first few days. As Fife describes, these issues include a growling stomach, hunger pangs, fatigue, to name just a few of the symptoms. He explains that these problems are the result of the body “purging itself of dirt.” In essence, the process of eliminating these toxins involves an increase in the activity of the internal organs. When we fast, our detoxification process speeds up.
Another difficult part of being on a detox diet is that many people experience heightened sensitivity and feel like their senses are out of balance. Elson M Haas and Buck Levin describe this phenomenon in their book “Staying Healthy with Nutrition.” They mention how many people report that sights and sounds like television, and even music, can be irritating to people during the detox process. Another difficult part of the process is the exaggerated sense of smell. These odors can be both positive and negative. Another truly unpleasant result of detoxification is that many people have reported that their tongues begin to develop a thick white or yellow furry coating. Although this layer can be brushed or scraped off, these types of sensations can be very difficult for people to tolerate while fasting. It should be noted that all people who undergo detox do not experience these symptoms, but these symptoms are possible.
Many people who try detox diets give up after just a few days, as the hunger and general feeling of malaise can be too much to handle. The hardest part of the process is getting through the first few days. After that time everything becomes much easier. Remember, with the detox processes we are releasing our addiction to certain foods and chemicals that our body has become accustomed to. The combination of depriving ourselves of our favorite foods along with hunger, headaches, aches and nausea is enough for many people to give up and abandon their detox goals.
Although the symptoms are unpleasant, the fact is that the release of toxins from the body is a good thing that will produce many benefits. The detoxification process demonstrates that the body is working effectively, as it should in order to regain its ability to function optimally.