Contrary to what most people think, detoxification can be dangerous and in some cases even life-threatening when carried out without proper education or professional supervision.
Some of the main dangers and complications of detoxification are:

Undernourishment

Many electrolytes/minerals are lost during detoxification (especially from sauna sessions and enemas) and these need to be replaced otherwise these basic deficiencies will cause new imbalances altogether. Furthermore, the body will not be able to detoxify and heal itself without proper amounts of these essential minerals because they play an essential role in virtually all the physiological processes of the human body. Some detoxification programs may require intermittent fasting, and since you’ll be eating less food, it’s important to ensure that you’re getting a enough quality nutrients when you do eat. Also, the fact that most of our foods these days are devoid of nutrients makes undernourishment during fasting & detoxification a greater concern. The HTMA analysis is a great tool to use in conjunction with detoxification because any deficiencies or biochemical imbalances can be addressed and rectified prior to beginning a detoxification program, thereby making the detox experience safer and more effective.

High-risk Healing Crisis & Re-absorption of Toxins

A healing crisis occurs when toxins stored in the body are released at a faster rate than can be properly eliminated. Not everyone’s body has the same detoxification capacity and not everyone has the same amount of toxins stored in their bodies. If toxins are released and your bodies detox pathways are blocked or just generally slow/weak (for example, if you are constipated, don’t sweat easily, have a weak liver/kidneys, have a stagnated lymphatic system, etc.) these dangerous toxins will circulate in your bloodstream and lymphatic system causing tissue damage and overwhelming your vital organs as well. In some cases, this can be life-threatening. For this reason, I assess each of my clients’ individual ability to detox before I choose which detox program is safest for them. The incorporation of tools and techniques to improve elimination channels are also of vital importance for an effective and safe detox program.

Parasitic Migration

One of the most common complications during a parasite detox program is when intestinal parasites migrate from out of the intestines. If a patient isn’t regular in their bowel movements (2-3 times daily), if they are somewhat constipated, the anti-parasitic herbs will disturb the parasites/worms causing them to migrate from the small intestine because the way down is blocked. Though in most cases, parasite migration isn’t dangerous or painful, the sensation of parasites moving around and “making a home” in different parts of the body can be very uncomfortable during the day and cause insomnia during the night. Furthermore, getting rid of them after they’ve migrated becomes a much more difficult and long-lasting undertaking.

An Imbalanced Gut Flora

One of the benefits of natural deep gut detoxification and balancing is that excess parasites/worms/yeast will be eliminated. However, in the process, good gut bacteria or flora is also somewhat depleted. This levels the ground between the good and bad bacteria in the gut but because bad bacteria are faster to grow, it’s vitally important to repopulate and inoculate the gut at the right time during the detox with good bacteria utilizing effective techniques and probiotic products. If this important stage is absent in a detox program, the immune system of the patient will be vulnerable (our immune system is a reflection of our gut microbiota) and it’ll be only a matter of time until the opportunistic unhealthy bacteria proliferate and dominate causing a steady decline in health. One of the most dangerous situations experienced in clinical practice while supervising gut detoxification is the severe die-off some patients experience. This can cause a person to “pass out”, experience auto-intoxication, a heart-attack, etc. For this reason, working with an experienced detoxification specialist ensures that your any auto-intoxication is minimized thus making your detox experience a safer and gentler one.