I've never tried one but have read about others who swear by them.I love to eat too much to cut all that out.I know coffee is bad too but I have to have it!

I cleanse once in a while, but have never detoxed the body. Milk Thistle cleanses the liver where our meds metabolize and have tried that without much success but really never followed a planned detox.

Maybe we should research a kit and try it as a group thing. This way we can compare notes and support each other during the process.

Guess it will have to be after the holidays, who wants to skip all the Christmas foods.

Ouch

I'm trying making sure I add in a lot of magnesium, because apparently chronic pain makes you magnesium deficient. And when you're low in magnesium - your pain threshold is lower, plus you get more anxious.

I'm also eating more fish - because omega-3s are good for fighting inflammation all over the body.

I'm thankful my diet soda isn't the cause, or I'd go insane. I'd save a lot of money if I stopped drinking it though.

So how did this go for you. I was wondering if you feel better for doing it. I will be ready after New Years to try it with anyone who wants. A giant group cleanse.

Doug/Ouch

Update on Detox Diet
At 2 weeks in, here is what I've learnt so far about the detox diet.....
- It feels really really really good to eat healthy, in such a way as to nourish my body.- and to eat to nourish my body.
- In the first 5 days I lost 7 lbs, which was a surprise as that wasn't my main goal of this diet.
- For the first week, my appetite went down to minimal and I often had to force myself to eat anything (probably why I lost 7 lbs so quickly).
- During the second week, my appetite skyrocketed- and I've became ravenous- I've begun to feel like my "Detox Diet" has become a "deprivation diet". At times, I feel desperate to eat sugar, chocolate etc.
- I've also discovered how hard it is to do a diet like this, especially at Christmas. I've also begun to "cheat" a little. I had a friend over, and she came bearing Christmas baking. I didn't want to be rude, so I had to "sample" some of her treats. And then, I offered her a glass of wine and without thinking, poured myself one. So, I confess, at times I've fallen off the bandwagon!
- All in all, painwise, I haven't felt any difference (but it's hard to tell because for the past 6 weeks, I've been in a really bad flare up of the pain). 2 weeks also may not be long enough to tell if there's a difference.
Blue 22.

I have to admit it, my detox diet has been a complete and utter failure! It worked really well for the first while- I rapidly lost 7 pounds (although I noticed that it made no discernable impact on my pain). However, the biggest lesson that I've learnt is one Ouch said from the beginning, that it's pretty hard to do such a diet over Christmas. While I'm in a confessing mood, today I've already had a white chocolate macadamea nut cookie, some cheesies, and some chocolate almonds- and as there will be numerous gatherings where food will be plentiful in the coming days, I'm sure my diet will deteriorate further.... Anyone up for a January detox?
Blue22

I know with my migraines I was told no caffine at all. Even if it said no caffine don't drink it. Only pure water. This comes from a doc at uab. If you give it a try let me know.

this sounded so interesting I looked it up. I could do it no problem except that I am addicted to caffiene.

What You Need to Know About a Detox Diet
What is Detox?
Detox, short for detoxification, is the body's natural, ongoing process of neutralizing or eliminating toxins from the body. Toxins (anything that can potentially harm body tissue) are transformed chemically to less harmful compounds and excreted via stools or urine.

Sources of toxins include those produced in the body during normal functions, such as the ammonia produced during the breakdown of protein, and chemicals such as pesticides, household cleaners, food additives, drugs, pollution, cigarette smoke, and heavy metals like lead that enter the body when we ingest or inhale them.

What is a Detox Diet?
Although detox is primarily thought of as a treatment for alcohol or drug dependence, the term is also used to refer to diets, herbs, and other methods of removing environmental and dietary toxins from the body for optimum health

There are many different types of detox diets. Generally, a detox diet is a short-term diet that:

Minimizes the amount of chemicals ingested (for example, by the use of organic food).

Emphasizes foods that provide the vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that the body needs for detoxification.

Contains foods, such as high fiber foods and water, that draw out and eliminate toxins by increasing the frequency of bowel movements and urination.
Why do People go on a Detox Diet?
A growing body of research suggests that many of the chemicals we ingest daily through food, water, and air can become deposited in fat cells in our bodies. A diet that lacks certain nutrients may also impair our natural ability to detoxify chemicals, which further leads to their build-up in the body.

The cumulative load, called the "body burden", is thought to lead to illness and has been linked to hormonal imbalance, impaired immune function, nutritional deficiency, and an inefficient metabolism. Signs are thought to include indigestion, bad breath, fatigue, poor skin, and muscle pain.

Some private labs, such as Great Smokies Diagnostic Labs, offer tests that assess urine, stools, blood, and liver function. These tests are not standard medical tests and many medical doctors do not recognize them or consider them valid.

To become more familiar with symptoms alternative practitioners consider to be linked with toxicity, take the Detox Screening Quiz
Benefits of a Detox Diet
People often report improved energy, clearer skin, regular bowel movements, improved digestion, and increased concentration and clarity after a detox diet.

Who Shouldn't Try a Detox Diet?
Anyone considering a detox diet should consult a qualified health professional and/or their medical doctor first.

Pregnant or nursing women or children shouldn't go on a detox diet. People with anemia, eating disorder, diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, terminal illness, certain genetic diseases, and other chronic conditions shouldn't try this diet or should do so only under the supervision of their primary care provider. It is not intended for alcohol or drug detoxification.

Side Effects
One of the most common side effects is headache within the first few days of starting the detox diet, often due to caffeine withdrawal. For this reason, practitioners often suggest gradually decreasing the amount of caffeine prior to starting a detox diet. In addition, some people opt to take time off work to begin a detox diet or start the diet on the weekend.

Other side effects include excessive diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration and electrolyte loss. Constipation may occur if people consume excess fiber without also increasing their fluid intake. Other side effects can include tiredness, irritability, acne, weight loss, and hunger. Any worsening of symptoms or new symptoms that occur during a detox diet should prompt a visit to a qualified health professional.

If a detox diet is continued for a longer time, it may result in nutrient deficiencies, particularly protein (some detox diets omit animal products) and calcium.

Getting Started
Fatigue, indigestion, cough, muscle pain, and poor sleep can be signs of serious illness. That's why it's important to see a primary care provider for a thorough assessment to ensure that any symptoms are not caused by a medical condition that requires immediate treatment.

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