We’ve been fielding a ton of questions lately over in our Pain Free For Life Group about cleansing for pain resolution. Are you, too, wondering what a cleanse is, how to do one safely, and what to avoid? In that case, you’ve landed in the right spot. Today we’re sharing Dr. Rob’s top tips and warnings surrounding cleansing your diet.
What is Cleanse?
A cleanse is a period in which you abstain from certain foods, drinks, or activities. It’s a way of purifying your body and mind through dietary boundaries designed to help reset your body’s balance. A cleanse can be anything from a few days to several weeks. It’s important to note that cleanses should always be done under the guidance of a medical professional.
We here at Pain Free For Life believe cleaning up your diet is a massive part of the healing equation. We’re not advocates for risky quick fixes though; we like to approach cleansing as a “mindset” around food. One that cherishes and values nutrient-dense foods and knows what inflammation pitfalls to avoid.
Dangerous Cleanse Practices & Warnings
Many health-minded individuals sing the praises of cleanses but remember that not all are safe. Some can be dangerous or unhealthy if done incorrectly or without proper guidance.
Potential dangers associated with cleanses include:
- Dehydration
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Disordered eating patterns
Lastly, some cleanses involve long periods of fasting, which can be dangerous, especially if you have any underlying health conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease.
Juice Cleanses
Drinking cold-pressed fruit and vegetable juice is a great way to get some extra nutrients into your body. It can provide energy, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other helpful ingredients that may help you feel better. However, it’s important to remember not to go overboard with juicing. Juice cleanses should only last for short periods. Furthermore, many fruit juices are high in sugar, a significant inflammation trigger.
Raw Food Cleanse
A raw food cleanse is when a person eats only uncooked, unprocessed plant-based foods. While it can be beneficial to detox and reset your body, there are some downsides to eating a raw food diet. Many people on raw food diets may lack Vitamin D due to limited animal nutrient sources, plus they may not get enough protein to stay healthy and strong.
Women may also have difficulty conceiving when their diet does not contain adequate protein and other necessary vitamins & minerals for pregnancy. However, many people will find that these potential side effects can be avoided with careful guidance and attention to nutrition.
- Learn more about the benefits and risks of a raw food cleanse in our blog, Raw Food Diet—The Truth Revealed.
The Master Cleanse
The Master Cleanse, invented in 1941, is a popular 10-day plan designed to cleanse your body of toxins and boost metabolism. The primary goal is to flush the body of impurities to lose weight and increase energy.
This cleanse involves drinking a beverage comprising cayenne pepper, maple syrup, and fresh lemon juice. There are also laxative teas to help cleanse your digestive system. While this short-term dietary solution may bring about desired results, it can also be dangerous when done improperly or for an extended period.
Calorie restriction can harm bodily functions essential for optimal health, leading to electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and malnutrition. Ultimately, any major changes in diet should always be carefully monitored by a doctor or registered nutritionist to ensure that the added benefit outweighs any potential risks. We suggest approaching any changes in your diet with self-compassion. Eating Intuitively is a great way to reframe any unhealthy relationships you have developed when trying restrictive cleanses and other fad diets.
What to do instead of a Master Cleanse?
Starting the day with a cup of warm lemon water is an excellent alternative to participating in a potentially dangerous Master Cleanse. Many believe drinking lemon water can help purify your body of toxins and flush out metabolic waste that builds up in the body over time.
How to enjoy warm lemon water in the morning:
Simply pour some warm filtered or spring water into your favorite mug, squeeze in half a fresh lemon and savor as you intentions for a beautiful, pain-free day. Remember, your mindset is HUGE when healing from debilitating pain.
Detox Vs. Cleanse: What’s the Difference?
A detox and a cleanse may sound the same, but they are indeed different. A detox is focused on ridding your body of toxins, potentially through fasting or reducing certain foods. A cleanse may include some of these same practices but focuses more on resetting your body’s natural processes. It can involve drinking specific juices, supplements, or other dietary changes. Ultimately, both have their benefits, and it depends on individual goals as to which path you choose.
You might be surprised to learn that we all accumulate toxins in our bodies over time. Many everyday substances like smoking, alcohol, or over-the-counter painkillers can leave toxic residues in our bodies. The same goes for environmental chemicals that infiltrate our food, water, and air.
Candida Cleanses
Dealing with Candida can be difficult, but Dr. Rob has some great tips to help! He recommends starting with a combination of microcurrent Vagus nerve stimulation and grounding exercises. Additionally, he suggests taking Biocidin: starting with just one drop and then gradually building up to 10 drops. Lastly, as hard as it may sound, eliminating sugar from your diet is essential for reducing candida levels. Being on the lookout for sugar – even small amounts – is crucial for this process.
Candida can also be dealt with by improving gut flora. Probiotics help considerably in keeping Candida at bay; as a benefit, they are thought to aid in maintaining a healthy weight. However, they must be taken correctly to do their magic.
Dr. Rob Says:
“Many people who buy a probiotic take it and assume everything will get better, but the stomach is meant to kill bacteria. This is something people, and even many doctors, overlook. Good bacteria must make it to the intestinal tract to do their work. Most traditional probiotics die before reaching the gut.”
Our signature probiotic has an enteric coating designed to stop it from being broken down in the stomach. It only breaks down when it reaches the intestines where it needs to be. Taking it strategically before meals will help dramatically improve probiotics’ results in improving gut health.
Another way to help boost gut flora and reduce inflammation-triggering Candida yeast? Eating Lacto-fermented foods! Learn more about how fermented foods help with pain here.
Tips on How To Cleanse for Pain Resolution Safely
Do we think a detox or cleanse can help kick-start your pain resolution journey? Absolutely! Do we believe you should conduct risky cleanses and detoxes at home without the guidance of an expert nutritionist or health care provider? No. It’s important, do it right!
Here are Dr. Robert Vanbergen’s top tips on safely cleaning up your diet to reduce chronic pain and inflammation:
Start by slowly cutting out inflammation flare-up foods like caffeine, processed sugars, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, dairy products, trans fats, red meat, and other substances that trigger an inflammatory response. Don’t forget to eliminate any known allergens as well. This will help your body adjust quickly once you start the full cleanse program.
- Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day so that your body stays hydrated while cleansing. After all, hydration is the key to good health and the secret to effective microcurrent protocols.
- Eat high-fiber foods to help your digestive tract clear waste.
- Incorporate healthy fats into your diet, such as olive oil, salmon, or avocados.
- Avoid processed foods during your cleanse—instead, opt for organic fruits & vegetables whenever possible.
If you have questions about how to clean up your diet to help aid in your chronic pain resolution journey, we invite you to reach out to our talented team of Doctors and Microcurrent Specialists today!
