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Challenges to change

In this section, we will look at the possible reactions that can occur during the detoxification process. Each person is unique and may react differently to dietary changes. Reactions to detoxification depend on current lifestyle, genetic factors and the amount of toxins and waste in the body that need to be removed. Do not expect this to happen overnight, as it takes several years to remove the toxins that have accumulated in the body.

Physical reactions

A new and easier-to-digest diet triggers the natural process of detoxification and elimination from cells into body fluids, which can cause unpleasant challenges such as:

• Fatigue: a common symptom that can occur very quickly. During detoxification, new energy is generated, but in the first days there is often a feeling of extreme fatigue due to intense toxin elimination and poor metabolic flexibility. It is important to listen to your body, take time to rest and slow down the detoxification if necessary.
• Headaches: a common symptom of detoxification resulting from the withdrawal of various toxins such as caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, gluten, salt, sugar and other refined and unsupportive products.
• Sleep disturbances: common during detoxification, as the body needs rest and it can take a few days to adjust to the changes. Eat less food in the evening and do not consume too much fluid after 8pm.
• Bad breath, bitter taste and coated tongue: signs of intense toxin excretion. Oil pulling can help speed up the elimination of toxins and restore freshness to the mouth.
• Symptoms of a cold: the body takes the opportunity to excrete reactivated toxins. This can manifest itself in runny nose, cough, blocked sinuses, runny eyes and even fever and flu-like conditions. These symptoms are actually a good sign as they indicate that the body is actively eliminating toxins.
• Various skin problems: the skin becomes a major organ of secretion, which can cause rashes, pimples, itching, redness and other irritations. Usually there is no need to take action as these symptoms will disappear over time. Applying coconut oil to the skin can help soothe the skin as it is pure, antimicrobial and nutritious.
• Joint pain: these pains will go away over time if they are the result of detoxification.
• Dark and unpleasant smelling urine: caused by active kidney function during detoxification. The kidneys excrete a number of toxins, which can cause noticeable changes in the smell of urine.
• Diarrhoea or constipation: two common symptoms that occur during detoxification. The intestines and colon need time to adjust to the increased elimination of toxins.

These symptoms will be more or less pronounced, or may not occur at all, depending on the level of detoxification and how stressed we are. For example, giving up daily coffee intake may cause headaches for 2-3 days. Generally, these symptoms are bearable and normal and will dissipate and disappear completely within 2-3 days. We want to eliminate toxins, which can cause unpleasant sensations. So the key words here are patience and perseverance!

The main thing is to know that they can occur and that they will pass. In many cases, there are few or no symptoms. In others, they are more pronounced but temporary. In rare cases, these symptoms last for more than 48 hours. In this case, adjust your diet to slow down detoxification. There is no reason to suffer, just slow down your programme. The more you relieve the digestion, the more pronounced the detoxification can be. The reverse is also true: simply add more food to slow down detoxification. If the detoxification is very unpleasant, it is possible that the elimination organs are not working efficiently enough, causing the reabsorption of toxins that the body has not been able to eliminate. You can also supplement with activated charcoal or BindTox, which contains the optimal ratio of the three binders, and drink enough fluids.

Mental challenges

Detoxification takes place not only in the physical body, but also in the emotional body, which is loaded with toxins such as emotions (resentment, jealousy, envy, anger), unsupportive thoughts (it's too hard, it's not worth it) and limiting beliefs (I'm no good, I can't do this, I don't deserve this). These emotions, thoughts and beliefs are often repressed and stored in our cells. Detoxification can bring them back into circulation, which is the goal! Unpleasant or painful emotions and thoughts may arise during detoxification. It is best to observe and accept these feelings without judgement, and with confidence and the knowledge that they will pass.

Be brave and ask for help if it is difficult. Our FB group is here for you! Peer support and community are a great source of strength and courage, so don't ignore them. Emotional outbursts often come in small doses. There may be crying, sadness, a deepened state of spirituality or unconditional love. This is an opportunity for personal development, to unload old baggage and make room for new. If you are tempted to give up, recognise your ego trying to protect you. Decide whether you want to simply survive or truly move on. Always come back to your big "Why" and keep it in front of your eyes so that you can complete what you set out to do.

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Other challenges

In our rich but stressful society, it often happens that we try to compensate for certain emotional deficiencies with a lot of food or other addictive substances. This can lead to addiction and have a negative impact on our well-being. Try to persevere in spite of feeling hungry to prevent overeating. Give your body time to realise that it is sufficiently nourished and focus on feeling full. Also try to enjoy the feeling of emptiness that can occur, as it is quite different from the feeling of 'full and bloated' that we often feel after overeating.

Food cravings can be hidden behind other emotions such as fear, anxiety, insecurity, frustration, sadness or loneliness. If this is something you are experiencing, ask yourself, what emotions are you trying to hide? Think about the real needs you are trying to meet and find other ways to meet them that don't involve eating foods that don't do you any good. If you want to avoid overeating, it is useful to learn to anticipate hunger and organise ways to satisfy it. 

Strategies to reduce cravings for unsupportive foods:

• Eat more healthy fats: when you cut back on sugar and carbohydrates, add more healthy fats. These will fill you up and reduce food cravings between meals.
• Hydrate your body: dehydration can cause hunger and sugar cravings. Aim for at least 3.7 l of water for men and 2.7 l for women. I recommend 1/2 to 1 litre of water in the morning and then the rest between meals. (Avoid drinking large amounts of water between meals.)
• Add apple cider vinegar: drinking water with apple cider vinegar helps regulate blood sugar. You can add 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to 2 dcl of water. Drink it in the morning and can also be drunk during the feeding window.
• Add salt: minerals are important for your energy and prevent cravings for unhealthy foods. Stress and sugar can reduce mineral stores. Add a pinch of salt to your water and drink it in the morning when you are fasting, and every few hours throughout the day if needed.
• Add lemon juice: it has a similar effect to apple cider vinegar on digestion and reducing sugar cravings.
• Add stevia: if the sugar craving is strong, add a drop of stevia to lemonade for a refreshing drink.
• Go for a walk: walking and light exercise help regulate neurotransmitters and reduce sugar cravings.
• Exposure to sunlight: 15 minutes or more of sunlight a day improves circadian rhythms, reduces stress hormones, improves sleep quality and reduces cravings for sugar and junk food.
• Make sleep your priority: the better the quality of your sleep, the better your hormonal balance. A good night's sleep reduces sugar cravings the next day.
• Incorporate relaxation techniques and meditation: emotional eating and habits require conscious thought and the will to break.30 minutes of deep breathing and meditation a day can help with addiction and emotional neediness.

Additional support:

Physical exercise

Exercise is extremely important in terms of supporting metabolism, mental health, mitochondrial efficiency, etc., and at the same time helps to relieve the body of toxins. 

Muscles are our metabolic reserve and also secrete signalling molecules that affect our overall health. Movement stimulates blood circulation and the lymphatic system, which play a key role in transporting nutrients and removing waste and toxins from the body. In addition, exercise promotes sweating, which allows the body to remove toxins through the skin. 

Statistics show that regular exercise reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers by as much as 30-40 % (Source: World Health Organisation). In addition to these physical benefits, exercise also brings important mental and emotional benefits. It reduces stress, improves mood and promotes better digestion and regular bowel movements, which are key to the health and vitality of our bodies.

Learn more about how exercise affects mitochondria... in the video below.

https://vimeo.com/964646328/eec665375a?share=copy

Sunlight 

The energy from sunlight is essential for life on Earth. Through photosynthesis, plants convert this energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, which they use to grow and develop. This energy from the sun is passed down the food chain to all living things. At the same time, sunlight is so much more, affecting our circadian rhythms, our mood, the health and efficiency of our mitochondria (our energy factories) and thus our overall health and vitality.

Light plays a key role in our daily lives and health. What we perceive as visible light is only about 39% of the total spectrum of light coming from the Sun. Most of the light spectrum, 54% to be precise, is made up of infrared light, which, although we cannot see it, we can feel it as heat. The remaining 7% of the light spectrum is made up of ultraviolet (UV) rays, which are also invisible to the human eye, but have an important impact on our health as they are linked to the production of vitamin D.

Exposure to strong light in the morning is key to regulating our circadian rhythm. Strong morning light speeds up our internal biological clock, which helps us sleep better and stay awake. Light intensity plays an important role in this process. For example, the light in a living room on a cloudy day may only be about 50 lux, while morning light reaches around 1000 lux. Daylight can reach 25,000 lux and direct sunlight can reach up to 120,000 lux. This is why exposure to outdoor light in the morning is extremely important. It affects healthy morning levels of cortisol, serotonin and, later in the night, the release of melatonin and thus a better night's sleep the following night.

Light after sunset slows down your circadian rhythm by inhibiting the production of melatonin in the pineal gland. This affects falling asleep and the quality of sleep itself. It is important to be in tune with the body's natural master clock. 

Find out more in the video below.

https://vimeo.com/965555216/def5fd65ba?share=copy