The concept of detoxing becomes more common. There are many ways to detox and the process can be overwhelming quickly. (In fact, a common reason for why individuals do not start a detox regimen is because the planning was too stressful).
In my experience supervising detox programs with patients (and from personal experience), it is very helpful to determine the reason. This purpose becomes the fuel you need to overcome the challenges of preparing and carrying out the detox regimen.
While the list of reasons for doing a detox is long, below are 3 common signs your body can benefit from a detox regimen:
1) Skin Changes
Skin changes include increased skin irritation (not attributed to a known contact allergy), acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Inflammation is the driving mechanism of these skin changes. Since the GI tract is home to 80% of our immune system and we have to eat, inflammation can be significantly reduced by mindful eating.
2) Brain Fog
Brain fog is a symptom that can manifest differently among individuals. Difficulty making decisions, analyzing thoughts, or recalling information are common complaints that I hear from my patients. A female patient in her mid-40s described her brain fog as “trying to retrieve thoughts among a sea of clouds”.
A significant difference between brain fog and more severe reasons for memory loss (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease, dementia) is that orientation of time and location are lost in the latter. Another reason for brain fog especially in the menopausal female is hormonal changes.
If you do not fit the profile for these scenarios, you may benefit from a detox regimen because food additives and preservatives that sneak their way into our food can change neurotransmitter function and make cognitive processing difficult.
3) Mood Changes
Contrary to popular belief, most neurotransmitter receptors that regulate mood are found in the GI tract (not the brain). If you are experiencing low mood and anxiety recently, it might be time to reset your gut. Removing things from our diet that causes inflammation in the GI tract and disrupt the optimal balance of our natural microbiome will make it harder for these neurotransmitter receptors to work optimally.
There is no “one size fits all” detox regimen. I see more effective results when the reason for the detox regimen is at the center of the protocol. I see even more sustainable results when the detox regimen is individualized.
Since detox regimens can vary, it is always recommended that you are under the supervision of qualified healthcare provider to avoid complications.