The human body expends a lot of energy constantly clearing out toxins and unwanted substances. Chemicals, pollutants, and various other contaminants need to be removed. These toxins inhibit the body from functioning properly and at full capacity. When higher levels of toxicity are reached, the body will reallocate its resources in an effort to return to more manageable levels. When this takes place, other systems within the body are not properly tended to. This can create many systemic issues, especially for people who are not in optimum health or those with pre-existing physical conditions.
Every human body contains toxins, and while it is easy to avoid consuming certain substances, we live in a world that is full of chemical and other undesirable materials that enter our systems regardless of our efforts. The air we breathe, the water we drink and the foods we consume may all contain toxins. Even if you consumed strictly organic food and drank purified water you would still breathe air that contains pollutants, touching various surfaces that can be covered with chemicals and taking medicines that contain foreign substances, so it’s practically impossible to avoid consuming toxins. (With that being said, we do strongly suggest only purchasing organic produce, drinking purified water and avoiding all toxins if possible.)
You might be wondering what you can do to help your body remove unwanted toxins. Juice detoxification programs are one popular option that can help the body purge pollutants in a healthy and efficient manner.
So what exactly is a juice detoxification program? This is a program that involves drinking only a specified combination of vegetable and/or fruit juice for a certain amount of time. During a detox program, the body is essentially tearing down and removing all of the toxins and rebuilding with new material. To make room for that new material, the toxins need to be expunged. This process can have certain effects on the body. When eliminating coffee, symptoms usually include headaches, nervousness, and shakiness. When protein, meats, and fats are eliminated, you may experience skin eruptions, foul body odor, or a coated tongue. [Link]
As for the benefits of going through a juice detox, there are quite a few that will help improve your health and wellbeing. Here is a list of some improvements that can be achieved; weight loss, clearer skin, mental clarity, detoxified body, increased energy, better sleep patterns and the motivation to remain healthy. [Link]
There are some symptoms that may be experienced during a juice detoxification program which can include; headaches, lethargy, temporary muscle aches, dry skin, acne, a coated, pasty tongue or canker sores, flu-like symptoms, irritability, difficulty sleeping, weakness, cravings, nausea, constipation, diarrhea and gas.
A licensed acupuncturist can help alleviate many, if not all, of the undesirable symptoms experienced during the program. After performing a detailed intake the practitioner will use differential diagnosis to develop a treatment protocol that will help to resolve the unwanted side effects of the juice detoxification. This approach is holistic, natural and has the ability to provide immediate relief without the need for unnecessary medications that often have their own side effects.
If you decide to go through a juice detox program, we also recommend you make an appointment at Above & Beyond Acupuncture in Scottsdale, AZ, to help alleviate some of the potential side effects that can be experienced.
