Herx Happens - The Corrective Response

Have to say I felt pretty excited to hear my friend was improving, but then it happened. "The Corrective Response" or Herxeimer Reaction. Called me in a panic "I'm quitting. I feel like I have the flu. It's these stupid nutrients.."  Really toxic. The cells were so excited to have real food and nutrition that when they started to function correctly they not only made waste products, but they realized that there were toxins built up inside of them, so what happened was a massive dump into the bloodstream (really do you think your cells want to live in sewage any more than you do?). When you are healthy, this is not an issue because the liver and kidneys can usually handle day to day metabolites. It is a different story when a massive clean-up starts.

Normally I have people build up their liver and do a cleanse before starting a nutrient program. But my friend was anxious and feeling better sooner (like a magic pill) was more important. The testing I suggested would help outline a more targeted detox. His body, however had started on its own. It is hard enough to coach someone through a recovery program when the results may take weeks or even months (even if you explain to them that it took them months to get this way, people are used to drugs treating symptoms and not the cause) It is even harder to convince them to stay on a program when they experience a reaction. You have to be experienced to know if it is working or not. The solution is to back off for a day or two. Help your body detoxify with Epsom Salt soaks, to keep hydrated and when the symptoms resolve, start up again. Each time there will be fewer toxins to dispose of and eventually you will be bounding with energy - not only from optimal cell function, but because you cleaned up the mess.

 I need to be more assertive in getting people to do the detox first.