Detox: Why Digestion Comes First, and the Tools I Use
Detox is something your body does all day through the liver, the gut, the kidneys, the skin and the lungs. Most of it leaves through the gut, in bile. That is why I work on digestion before any detox, and why people who skip that step so often feel worse.
How I think about detox
I learned this the hard way. I tried to detox with a gut that was not working, and all I did was move toxins around. When bile is sluggish or the bowels are slow, what the liver releases has nowhere to go.
So the order matters: digestion first, then gentle support for the routes out. The tools I use are simple ones, such as fasting, juicing and heat. Each has people it does not suit, and the articles say who should be careful.
Articles on detox
- Detox
Why Detox Makes You Feel Worse, and Why It Starts in the Gut
Four reasons digestion comes first, and the step to take before any detox.
Read the article - Detox
Fasting for Beginners: Types, Benefits and How to Start Safely
What happens in the body when you fast, the main types, and who should not.
Read the article - Detox
Juicing for Gut Health: Why I Juice Instead of Blending
Why removing the fibre helps a weak gut, which juicer I use and how I keep juice fresh.
Read the article - Detox
Heat Therapy: Benefits of Saunas, Hot Baths and Heating Pads
How heat supports circulation, eases pain and helps the body sweat out toxins.
Read the article - Detox
Coffee Enemas: How They Work, How I Do Them and the Risks
The theory, my own method, what the evidence does not show, and who should avoid them.
Read the article
- Feeling Worse After Leaving Mold? What Happens When You Move Out
The three phases I see after people move out, and why symptoms can return.
- IBS Not Improving? Signs of Sluggish Bile and What Helps
What bile does for digestion, the signs it is struggling, and how I support it.
Questions I am often asked
Why do I feel worse when I detox?
Usually because toxins are being released faster than the body can remove them. If bile flow or bowel movements are slow, they are reabsorbed. That is why digestion comes first.
What is the first step in a detox?
Making sure the routes out are open: regular bowel movements, good bile flow and enough water and minerals.
Is fasting a good way to detox?
It can be a useful tool, but it is not suitable for everyone. Start with a short fast, and check first whether it is right for you.
Before any detox, check how your digestion is working.
The free Gut Health Quiz shows which part of your digestion needs support, and the Gut Health Bundle takes you through it step by step.
I’m a coach, not a medical doctor. This page shares my experience and what I see with the clients I coach. It is for education only and is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a treatment plan. Speak to your doctor before changing medication or if your symptoms are severe or new.