Why You May Feel Worse After Starting on Vitamins and a Healthier Diet

The Herxheimer Reaction – Feeling worse before feeling better

The phenomena of feeling worse before you feel better when one either embarks on improving their diet, starting on a good food supplement program or even taking antibiotics can cause a negative reaction. This is called a “Healing Crisis as well.

The Herxheimer Reaction is well recognized in the world of natural medicine or supplements. The Herxheimer Reaction (die-off reaction) is a short-term (from days to a few weeks) detoxification reaction in the body. As the body detoxifies it  isnot uncommon to experience flu-like symptoms including headache, joint and muscle pain, body aches, sore throat, general malaise, sweating, chills, nausea or other symptoms.

This is a normal reaction to the toxins that are released as the body begins to get rid of toxins. The important thing to remember is that these difficult symptoms do not indicate failure of the treatment in question; in fact, usually just the opposite.

The biggest problem with the Herxheimer reaction is that people stop taking the supplement or medication that is causing the reaction, and then they discontinue the very treatment that is helping to make them better. Although the experience may not make you feel particularly good, the Herxheimer Reaction is actually a sign that healing is taking place.

The History of the Herxheimer Reaction
This reaction was first described by an Austrian dermatologist Jarisch Adolf Herxheimer working in Vienna and Innsbruck in 1895 and shortly after this, confirmed by his brother Karl Herxheimer(1902 and 1926). Both doctors were dermatologists mainly treating syphilitic lesions of the skin. They noticed that in response to treatment, many patients developed not only fever, perspiration, night sweats, nausea and vomiting, but their skin lesions became larger and more inflamed before settling down and healing. Interestingly, they found that those who had the most extreme reactions healed the best and fastest. The patient might be ill for 2-3 days, but then their lesions resolved.

Herxheimer reactions can occur as the body adjusts to the die-off process and responds to the increased load on the lymphatic system – particularly in cases of systemic and chronic conditions and/or severe infections.

The most common Herxheimer reactions are:

· Acne
· Headache
· Flu-like symptoms
· Itch and rashes
· Flushes

Usually, the reaction lasts only a few days.

In most cases, the reaction is mild, but there are exceptions, particularly in cases of severe infection. The Herx reactions vary widely, depending on many factors, including the general health of the individual, the condition being treated, the degree of toxicity that exists in the body.

Although many may not experience this reaction, it is important to be aware of the possibility and to understand that it is a symptom of healing, so that you do not become discouraged if symptoms temporarily worsen and/or discontinue use of your nutritional program.

What To Do In The Event of a Herxheimer Reaction

If the reaction is mild then the best approach is to continue treatment and assist the body in eliminating the toxins as quickly and as thoroughly as possible by

Drinking plenty of purified water (a half gallon a day is recommended).

Other helpful suggestions include:

• Getting plenty of sunshine
• Minimizing exercise for the detox period
• Keeping the organs of elimination (the bowels, lungs, skin, kidneys, lymph) functioning properly
• Keeping the diet relatively pure during the detox period so that the body is not loaded with additional chemicals and toxins to eliminate while it is already working hard.

Adding lemon to the water, taking cold press olive oil first thing in the morning, taking sea salt baths and/ or steam baths and saunas, plus liver and elimination system supports can also be helpful, though such herbal supplements such as Shaklee Liver DTX a combination of herbs and extracts that has bile flow enhancing properties that protect and stimulate the body’s normal aility to maintain healthy liver cells, It is a combination of Milk Thistle extract that helps make the protein that contribute should be kept to a minimum and should be very mild and gentle in nature.

If the reaction is too severe, cutting back on the dosage or frequency of use can be very helpful in lessening symptoms but allowing the healing process to continue. Sometimes stopping for a day or so and then beginning again at a lesser dosage can allow for quick relief. The best assistance for the body is drinking plenty of pure water.

Conclusion

The most important advice if you have a set back is to “bear with the process”. The reaction is usually over within a few days and is well worth the cleansing and healing results.