This is weird.
For the last couple of days I’ve been sticking to a 100% low fat, raw vegan diet. And what does my body reward me with?
Cold!
I have a sore throat and my nose is blocked.
Moral of the story? Eating healthy doesn’t pay?
That’s what it looks like at the first glance, but there’s a logical explanation for why I got ’sick’. And I hope that by sharing my own experience and take on it, I can help you to ride through your own trials and tribulations.
My body decided to start detoxing a bit heavier and that triggered this ‘cold’. I’ve also been extremely tired during the past few days. I have trouble concentrating. So in this stage it’s a bit hard to work. And that’s why I’m struggling even with this simple blog post.
Last week the laundry service didn’t do such a good job with my pillow cases. They had residues of laundry detergent (and I’m sure here in Thailand they don’t use 100% natural stuff). So the skin on my throat got horribly irritated. It got flaming red and I managed to develop a good set of pimples there. Initially I didn’t bother about it since I knew it’s going to pass as I changed my pillow cases. But shaving everyday irritated it even further, so it didn’t budge at all.
That’s why I decided to get rid of it with this 100% raw diet. My throat starts to look normal again, but now I’m down with cold.
For me this is a normal detox reaction. It happens to me almost every time my body decides to kick up the detox process.
So don’t freak out if something like this happens to you when you change your diet. Different people react to this different. So you may get different symptoms.
Just understand that these are a normal part of the healing process, and a sign of progress. In the natural health field this is called ‘healing crisis’.
The best way to deal with this is just to take it easy and give your body time to heal. Rest as much as possible and eat lightly. It’ll be over in a few days.
With that, I’m going to hit the bed and hope to get a good 12 hours of sleep.
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Clear for Life - The Fun, Easy and Delicious Solution to Permanently Clear Skin.
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I am so glad you posted this! I have recently started a pretty agressive regimen of suplements to help heal my acne, but instead of getting better over the past two weeks it has gotten much worse. I knew in the back of my mind that my skin was just going through a purge, but it is so painful and frustrating that I was contemplating a round of antibiotics just last night. Now, I’m going to wait it out because I know that natural treatments usually take about 28 days to take affect, and I don’t want to ruin any progress I have made with a bunch of antibiotics.
Thanks for the reminder and encouragement!
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
The same thing has been happening to me since I have been eating healthier. I feel exhausted all the time! My husband had told me part of detoxing is resting. Thank you for the post. I kept thinking that there is something really wrong with me. I’ll keep with my diet, and hopefully my energy will come back, and hopefully my face will finally clear up!
November 5th, 2008 at 12:45 am
When you wrote, “Hope to get a good 12 hours of sleep” was that meant just for your cold, or should we normally shoot for 12 hours at night?
November 5th, 2008 at 1:55 am
Also, off topic but curious, i am pretty pale
and can’t really get a healthy tan-ish color.
Is there a vitamin or mineral in some
specific foods that i should consume more
of? Or should i just sit out in the sun each
day at some time… Basically, what’s
healthiest?
PS: I am eating large amounts of really
yummy and HEALTHY fresh fruit, as well as
a bit of salad and uncooked egg-yolk as my
daily food routine. My skin is beginning to
get considerably clear! and now sun
absorption is a goal because i don’t have to
worry as much about my skin (especially
acne) getting irritated.
Thanks a lot Seppo!
November 5th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
12 hours was just for me in this condition. The more I rest the faster my body will heal itself. 12 hours under normal conditions is probably too much.
I don’t think any supplement will give you a tan. Just get some sun, but don’t burn yourself. Eating plenty of fruits and veggies gives you antioxidants that protect your skin. Still, too much sun is too much.
I’ve also heard that coconut oil is a good sunscreen (or so they say here in Thailand).
November 5th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I’ve heard getting sick (along with pimples, headaches, and general fatigue) is normal for detox and I know because I experience it every time I do a cleanse. However, I’ve also heard you can reduce these side effects by making sure you are eliminating (having bowel movements) on a regular basis (three times a day), that way the toxins that are released wont be floating around for too long and get reabsorbed into the body. I’m not sure whats best. Enema, laxative? Even when I eat super healthy (raw) I have difficulty but I hate to have to supplement.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
I guess what i am trying to ask is how much sun is normal per day. i don’t want a tan, just a healthy color instead of being pale and i’m not sure how to get it. I’ve heard some say to eat dark colored greens and beets etc.. Yet others say to just drink milk or things with high levels of vitamin D. IDK & need expert help, from a person with your level of knowledge. Please and Thank You’s.
–Any tips at all are appreciated–
November 7th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Jani,
Yes, that’s true. Regular bowel movements are good for getting rid of toxins. I think that healthy diet with plenty of vegetable fiber and healthy lifestyle are the best ways to keep yourself regular.
Enemas are ok if you can’t ‘go’ otherwise. But as far as possible I like to keep my bum ‘exit only’.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Davie,
Healthy diet and lifestyle and a bit of sunshine should do the trick.
How much sunshine? Depends on where you are and the time of the year. And of course your skin color. Anyhow, 15 to 30 minutes a day should do the trick.