The First Night

The first night of detox was interesting.  I was pleasantly surprised that I had no problem getting to sleep.  I do not even remember my head hitting the pillow.  I was out.  I haven't slept well since the birth of my second child so sleep like this was very welcome.

However, I woke up at 1:00 am with some awful cramps.  The cramps turned into an experience similar to food poisoning and lasted for about a half hour.  To be honest, it was quite frightening.  But, it left as quickly as it came.  I believe my body is using spared energy from a resting digestive system to pull out stored toxins.  The elimination of these toxins was making me sick.

I do have some surprising news!  When your body is full of inflammation and your "filter" needs to be changed, you may experience an allergy or visible skin rash.  I started having a reaction to gold jewelry.  I have been fighting this reaction for several months.  It has completely disappeared!  I am having a hard time believing this.  But, it is true.  I am going to watch closely to see if anything returns but as of today it is gone.

I have lost 2.5 lbs from the first day of detox. 

Day One!

One day down.  It wasn't so bad.  I'm somewhat surprised.  Today we were allowed 2 Alpha Base capsules and 2 scoops of Core Support powder (in water, pure fruit juice or rice milk) in the morning and evening.  Green tea helped control the caffeine cravings as well as warm up my belly on such a cold day. 

Tomorrow will be the same regimen.  We just have to get through tomorrow and then it is smooth sailing.  Great things are happening!   

Get prepared

Tomorrow is the big day!  January 21, the start of the detox.  I am excited to cleanse my body and start feeling better. 

It is very important to be prepared.  Never allow yourself the opportunity to lose track of the goal.  The Core Restore Patient guide includes recipes, sample meals and even a grocery list to assist you.  Being a working mom, I am choosing to do this as simply as possible.  I chose a few recipes that I thought would be tasty and filling.  I purchased all my groceries for the week.  I am going to prepare the recipes in large batches.  When day three comes, I will be ready with my approved meals and not reach for something to quickly satisfy my hunger. 

I am re-reading my patient guide to make sure all questions are answered. 
I am excited!  I am ready!

Fasting and NO CAFFEINE!

The most intimidating part of the detox protocol for me is not the fasting, it's the elimination of caffeine!  Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, industrial chemicals create imbalance in the detoxification process.  Caffeine is currently a food group in my diet; another sign I need to detox.  You are encouraged to drink filtered water and lots of it (6-8 8oz. glasses).  Water will help flush out the toxins.  You are allowed organic herbal tea and/or organic green tea. 
All detox protocols include some sort of fast, modified fast or elimination.  It is essential to eliminate the toxic burden entering the body.  Your body needs to rest and heal itself.  This spared energy is used to eliminate toxins currently stored in the body.

The detox that Moudry Rx-Compounding promotes uses a modified fast.  You are allowed a drink mixture that includes two scoops of a supplemental nutrient powder twice daily.  I currently drink this mixture every morning for breakfast.  I only use one scoop now and it definitely sustains me to lunch.  It is full of protein and tastes quite good.  I like it in rice milk.  If the modified fast cannot be followed, you can add in some organic fruits and vegetables. 

It is important to note that you may experience unpleasant symptoms during the detox.  Especially during the first two days while your body is undergoing the process of toxin removal.  Some of these symptoms include headache, fatigue, body-ache, nausea, mood change.  My mood changed with the thought of caffeine removal.  I may want to let my coworkers know that I will have a case of "the Mondays" :) 

After foods are eliminated, they can be reintroduced into the body one at a time.  Today's modern conveniences unfortunately include foods that increase inflammation in the body.  Every person is built differently and certain foods will not agree with us.  These may not show up in the form of an allergic reaction.  Mental fogginess, headaches and body-ache can be symptoms of a food intolerance.  The slow process of re-introducing food will help uncover the food items that cause inflammation in the body.

Questionnaire

79!  My inflammation score is 79!  Ouch
I am looking forward to a large improvement when I take the questionnaire after detox.

This questionnaire identifies signs and symptoms that address the underlying cause of your G.I.-related illness (toxins, inflammation, etc...).  This questionnaire is to be completed before and after the liver detox.  It will help track your progress over time.

Point Scale:

0 = Never or almost never have the symptom

1 = Occasionally have it; effect is not severe

2 = Occasionally have it; effect is severe

3 = Frequently have it; effect is not severe

4 = Frequently have it; effect is severe

HEAD

___Headaches

___Dizziness

___Insomnia

___Faintness

____TOTAL

EARS

___Itchy ears

___Ringing in ears/loss of hearing

___Earaches/ear infections

___Drainage from ear

____TOTAL

EYES

___Bags or dark circles under eyes

___Watery or itchy eyes

___Swollen, reddened, or sticky eyelids

___Blurred or tunnel vision (excluding near- or far- sightedness)

____TOTAL

NOSE

___Stuffy nose

___Sinus congestion, sinus infection

___Constant sneezing

___Hay fever/allergies

___Excess mucus formation

____TOTAL

MOUTH/THROAT

___Chronic coughing

___Sore throat, hoarseness, loss of voice

___Gagging, frequent need to clear throat

___Swollen tongue, gums or lips

___Swollen lymph nodes

___Canker sores, mouth ulcers

____TOTAL

HEART

___Chest pain

___Irregular or skipped heartbeat

___Rapid or pounding heartbeat

____TOTAL

LUNGS

___Asthma, bronchitis

___Chest congestion

___Shortness of breath

___Difficulty breathing

____TOTAL

SKIN

___Acne or brown “age/liver spots”

___Hives, rashes, cysts, boils

___Eczema or psoriasis

___Itchy skin/dermatitis

___Hair loss, hair thinning

___Body odor

___Excessive sweating

____TOTAL

JOINTS/MUSCLES

___Pain or aches in joints or lower back

___Stiffness or limitation of movement

___Arthritis

___Pain or aches in muscles

____TOTAL

MENTAL/EMOTIONAL

___Poor memory

___Difficulty concentrating

___Mood swings

___Depression

___Anxiety, fear or nervousness

___Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness

___Insomnia

____TOTAL

ENERGY LEVEL

___Fatigue/low energy

___Restlessness

___Hyperactivity

___Feeling of weakness

____TOTAL

WEIGHT

___Underweight

___Overweight

___Difficulty losing weight

___Crave certain foods

____TOTAL

DIGESTIVE TRACT

___Nausea, vomiting

___Diarrhea

___Constipation

___Bloated feeling

___Belching, passing gas

___Heartburn

___Intestinal/stomach pain

____TOTAL

OTHER

___PMS

___Frequent colds, flus

___Chemical or environmental sensitivities

___Food allergies/sensitivities

____TOTAL

Please add the numbers from each section and write the section total in the spaces provided, then add all the section totals together and put that total in the space below.

____GRAND TOTAL

Interpreting Your GRAND TOTAL Toxicity Score:

15 or lower: You have a low level of inflammation.

16 to 49: You have a moderate level of inflammation.

50 or higher: You have a high level of inflammation.

Why detox?

I believe in a science-based, physician approved liver detox.  I understand and value its purpose.  Every energy system in our body is compromised without a properly functioning liver.  The benefits include:  Uncovering food allergens, weight loss, energy and recharging the body on the path to good health.  There are so many reasons to detox.  It is important to detox every year.  That being said, I have not participated in a liver detox. 

Why?  No time, no energy, no drive, no focus, too much going on, stress, juggling too many things,etc...Where will I fit this in my day between work and taking care of my growing family?  My excuses not to detox are looking exactly like the detox symptom checklist.  I am suffering from emotional, internal and external toxins.  Taking care of myself has not been a priority.  Many people start 2013 off with resolutions.  I am joining the bandwagon with a resolution to simply take care of my body.  It is the only body I'll have.

My resolution of taking care of myself and achieving a more optimal level of health is going to be rewarding in the end.  However, change is hard and often scary.  I, believe, that shared encouragement is very beneficial when embarking on a lifestyle change.  This is why I am trying to recruit others to join this experience with me.  Starting with a liver detox. 

"U.S. EPA biopsy studies of chemicals stored in the fat of human beings show 100% of people studied had dioxins, PCB's (dioxins and PCB's are among the most potent causes of cancers known to man), dichlorobenzene and xylene.  CDC's report in 2006 found that the average American has 116 of 148 synthetic compounds in the body.  The average umbilical cord blood contains 217 neurotoxins, 208 are known to cause birth defects." orthomolecularproducts.com

From prescription medications to car exhaust, we are exposed to toxins every day.  It is time to change my "filter" and recharge. My liver detox begins January 21.