It's official.
You are sick and tired of being sick and tired.
You have made the decision to dive headlong into detox mode.
But you are wondering whether it is okay to keep taking your vitamins during your cleanse.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know regarding your vitamin intake while doing a detox program.
Table of Contents
What Is a Detox?
According to Wikipedia, detoxification is, “the physiological or medicinal removal of toxic substances from a living organism, including the human body, which is mainly carried out by the liver.”
A detox, also known as a cleanse , comes in all shapes and sizes.
A detox can focus on the body as a whole, or it can zone in on specific body organs and systems such as a:
Liver detox - This cleanse will include plenty of liver supportive herbs, nutrients and foods.
Colon cleanse - Fiber is key here.
Gallbladder cleanse- Incorporating gallbladder supportive nutrients and herbs, please be sure to see your doctor before embarking on this!
Kidney cleanse - Might include lots of cranberries, blueberries, and diuretic herbs such as dandelion leaf.
Brain detox - Might include neurological supportive foods, nutrients and herbs.
And, there is also a wide variety of methods of conducting a detox, including:
Juice fasting - With plenty of vegetable juices
Sugar detox - Avoidance of all sugar to help reduce cravings and improve weight loss.
Liquid cleanse - The consumption of only liquids, such as bone broth and juices.
Alkaline cleanse - The focus is on eating uncooked veggies and fruits, in addition to raw nuts and seeds which have a higher pH value.
Ayurvedic cleanse - This is based on eating cooked vegetables, rice, mung beans, and spices. Traditionally, detoxification herbs such as milk thistle, dandelion, alfalfa, and cilantro are also incorporated into the detoxification diet.
When done correctly, a detox can be a great way to get your body back on track to health.
The practice of detoxing has a ton of benefits, including:
Aiding with weight loss
Providing sharper mental clarity
Giving you healthier skin
Improving energy and general well-being
So what makes a quality detox program?
The program lasts longer than one week.
It doesn't involve strenuous exercise.
No starving yourself or skipping meals.
It may include shakes or juices but also incorporates real nutritional foods.
The plan provides flexibility for any specific dietary needs such as gluten-free or dairy intolerance.
Facilitates a gradual and controlled re-introduction of the foods you eliminated during the detox protocol.
And in addition, a quality detox program provides you with the education you need before, during, and after the program so that you can maintain health when it's all said and done.
At Pacific Clinic of Natural Medicine, our 21-day protocol includes everything you need for the highest quality detox program.
Vitamins During a Detox: ‘Should’ vs. ‘Can’
Can you take vitamins on a cleanse?
Should you take vitamins on a cleanse?
Your healthcare professional will be able to help you decide what is right for you based on your:
Health history,
Supplements and medications you are currently taking, as well as
Your personal health goals.
SHOULD I Take Vitamins While Detoxing?
A quality cleanse should provide all the nutrients and vitamins your body needs.
So ideally, it won't be necessary to take vitamins while you are completing your detox.
However, generally, a detox is an excellent time to take a break from any extra vitamins or supplements you may be taking to let your body take a break.
Please note that during your cleanse, it's important that you continue taking any medications or supplements that have been prescribed by your healthcare provider.
CAN I Take Vitamins While Detoxing?
The short answer is yes.
Vitamins, along with any supplements, should be fine to take during your cleanse.
As always, please consult your healthcare practitioner first if you have any questions or concerns when it comes to mixing your vitamins or supplements with your cleansing protocol.
The Effects of Vitamins on a Detox
At Pacific Clinic of Natural Medicine, we believe that vitamins, herbs, and nutrients play an integral part in any quality detox program.
In fact, the right vitamins can actually boost the effectiveness of your cleanse.
Let’s take a look.
Are There Vitamins That Improve the Results of Detoxing?
Can you take vitamins on a cleanse?
You not only can, but you should.
Here are a few vitamins that are known to enhance the outcome of a detox:
Vitamin-C has been shown to be a super-powerful antioxidant.
Antioxidants are compounds found in foods that have the ability to:
Help your body fight disease,
Protect your body against free radicals,
Minimize the oxidative damage to your body’s cells, and
Promote a healthy heart, thus reducing your chance of heart disease.
Incorporating vitamin-C into your detox can help to:
Improve your skin,
Boost your immune system, and
Prevent anemia.
Recommended vitamin C dosages for those over the age of 19 are:
3000-5000 mg daily
In addition to the vitamin C included in your detox protocol, you will want to try to consume some of these foods, all of which are all high in vitamin C:
Kiwi
Green peppers
Oranges
Strawberries
Pineapple
Grapefruit
Broccoli
Mangos
Brussels sprouts
Spinach
Tomatoes
Just like vitamin C, vitamin E is also high in antioxidants.
What are a few of the benefits of vitamin E?
Vitamin E may be advantageous in helping to:
Balance your cholesterol,
Repair skin damage,
Improve the thickness and overall appearance of your hair,
Keep your hormone levels in check,
Improve your vision,
Prevent Alzheimer's disease, and
Lower your risk of cancer.
Besides vitamin E supplements found in your detox program, here are foods you can eat to get even more vitamin E into your diet:
Almonds,
Sunflower seeds,
Hazelnuts,
Mangos,
Wheat germ,
Avocados,
Butternut squash,
Broccoli,
Spinach,
Kiwis, and
Tomatoes.
The recommended dosage for vitamin E in adults is 40 mg per day for both males and females.
And if you choose to take a vitamin E supplement, you will want to note that since vitamin E is fat-soluble, it absorbs best in the body when it is taken along with food.
Studies have shown that magnesium deficiency is a common problem worldwide.
An estimated 75% of Americans are not meeting the daily recommended intake for magnesium.
Why is this a big deal?
Magnesium is beneficial to your body because it:
Offers mood support,
Helps with the proper functioning of your nerves, muscles, and tissues,
Supports your digestive system and helps to keep your bowels moving smoothly,
Maintains bone density and strength,
Supports your overall immune system,
Provides energy,
Helps to regulate your blood pressure, and
Supports your heart by assisting in maintaining the regulation of your heart rhythms.
The recommended daily allowances of magnesium are as follows:
300-400 mg for adults
You may be wondering how you can be certain that you are getting enough magnesium.
Besides taking a magnesium supplement, here are some great options:
Dark chocolate,
Nuts and seeds such as Brazil nuts, almonds, flax, and pumpkin seeds,
Legumes, like black beans, kidney beans, and lentils,
Leafy greens, including spinach and kale, and
Bananas
Are There Vitamins That Can Negatively Affect a Detox?
Of course, you will want to speak to your healthcare practitioner, but generally, the answer is no.
Vitamins do not negatively affect a detox.
Vitamins While Detoxing: Best Practices
While you are following your detox protocol, you will be adhering to some specific guidelines in regard to your daily vitamin routine.
Prescribed Supplements and Medications
You will want to stick with these throughout your detox program.
If your health care professional has prescribed supplements to you for any underlying health conditions, you will continue taking them throughout the duration of your cleanse.
Vitamin or Mineral Deficiency Diagnosis
Maybe you have been diagnosed with a vitamin or mineral deficiency involving your levels of:
Iron,
Vitamin D,
Vitamin B12,
Iodine,
Calcium,
Vitamin A, or
Magnesium.
If this is the case, you should not stop taking any vitamins or minerals your healthcare practitioner has prescribed for you.
Can YOU Take Vitamins on a Cleanse? Pacific Clinic of Natural Medicine Can Customize a Detoxification or Cleanse Plan for You
At Pacific Clinic of Natural Medicine, our specialty is determining exactly what imbalances are affecting your health and providing you with an individualized treatment plan to reverse those health obstacles.
We are passionate about helping you achieve optimal health so that you can enjoy your life to the fullest.
Our 21-day detox protocol may be just what you need to start feeling your best, and can be individualized for your specific needs
We provide a clear list of exactly what foods are and are not allowed during the 21 days, including what to eat once you have completed the protocol.
In addition, we share a wide variety of tasty and healthy FREE recipes in the Detoxing Made Delicious cookbook and Purification Program Guide.
What are you waiting for?
Get in touch with Pacific Clinic of Natural Medicine and schedule a free consultation with one of our physicians today.
Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of physicians at Pacific Clinic of Natural Medicine, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of our physicians and their community to promote wellness . PCNM encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional and medical services. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.
If you want to use an article on your site please direct to and cite the original article page. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from PCNM and the original author is required.