Liver Detox: Frequently Asked Questions
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Detox Program: A Total Body Cleanse
Detox 1: Colon Detox & Intestinal Cleanse
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Detox 3: Kidney Detox
Detox 4: Liver Detox
Detox 5: Blood Detox
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Liver Detox and Gallbladder Cleanse FAQs
QUESTIONS:
- Do I need to do the Gallstone Softening Program?
- If I am already taking a Diuretic, can I still do the Kidney Cleanse?
- Is it normal to experience gas with the recommended herbs in the Kidney Cleanse?
- Why do you recommend mixing KGP Flush with apple juice, can I use something else?
- Can I do the Kidney Detox while on any of the other detoxes?
- If I do not have a gallbladder, do I still need to perform phase 2 (KGP Flush) of the detox?
- What is the diet I need to have while on the liver detox?
- I am a heavy drinker, is it a waste of time to do the liver detox?
- How do I avoid chunks of garlic and strands of ginger in my morning drink?
- Some days I feel really tired and other days I have a natural “high”. Is this normal?
- What other symptoms may I expect?
- If I use non-organic veggies, does this put the chemicals back in that I am trying to squeeze out?
- Do we skin the potatoes for the Potassium Broth?
- How much water do I use when making the Potassium Broth?
- Can I continue to take my regular healthy supplements during the liver detox?
- I am Hypoglycemic/Diabetic, can I still do the liver detox?
- Do I use blended whole lemon, peeled lemon or just the juice?
- Can I use olive oil with my salad?
- I didn’t notice anything on this liver detox, is that good or bad?
- I did not see stones in the toilet, why is that?
- What if I can’t make it through the five days?
- I don’t have a gallbladder, will the liver detox still help?
- I was wondering when it would be okay to start drinking coffee again after the detox?
- I did the colon detox but missed the liver detox. Can I still do it or do I need to do the colon detox again?
- Can I continue the liquid juice fast once I’ve completed the Liver Detox?
- Is it okay to drink purified water during the day instead of drinking juice?
- Is there an alternative to the Potassium Broth? Can I skip it altogether?
- With respect to an enema, is that something you buy at the drug store?
- Can I eat some dried fruit on the first and last day?
- Is it okay to add some starchy foods such as banana if my energy levels are down?
- Can I use any kind of oil during the liver detox?
- Can the morning flush and the potassium broth be taken for maintenance after the detox?
- Can your Liver Tincture remove ammonia from the blood stream ?
- I keep the liver detox tea in a 2-quart pot and just add a little herbs each day. Is this okay?
- Potato skins contain toxic glycoalkaloids. Is it safe to eat a broth based on skins?
- Is it typical to experience numbness in my fingers and on the bottom of my feet?
- I want to do the colon detox and liver detox both at the same time. Can I do that?
- Is it debilitating for the body to be deprived of almost all protein for five consecutive days during the Liver Detox?
- Is it safe for me to do a liver cleanse even though I don’t have a gallbladder?
- My mother is taking medication for her heart problems. Can she still do the colon and liver detox?
- After using KGP Flush, how soon can I begin liver & blood cleansing?
- Do I have to follow the prescribed diet or can I add light meals?
- How soon after having my morning flush drink can I have the Liver Flush Tea?
- What are the rules for the first 3 to 5 days after the fast such as what to avoid, what to eat when, and tips?
- Can the Liver Flush Tea be sweetened with Stevia?
- Why do we have to wait until day 2 to have the potassium broth? Can I drink it throughout the day?
- How important is the Colon Corrective for the Liver Detox?
- I can’t stomach the garlic in the morning flush drink. Can I leave it out?
- Pertaining to the instructions, how much is a ‘dropper’ or ‘dropperful’?
- I can’t use your tinctures because they have alcohol in them, what should I do?
Liver Detox Answers
Do I need to do the Gallstone Softening Program?
One of the primary purposes of the liver detox is to flush any gallstones from your body and minimize the chances of their return. It should be noted, though, that there can be some discomfort in the process. However, you can minimize that. It is possible to significantly soften the stones before the detox so that they pass much more easily and with much less discomfort. For most people, this is not a problem, and the discomfort is very mild. But if you already have significant discomfort when eating fats, it may be advisable to think about doing the following prep program just before doing the liver detox.
If I am already taking a Diuretic, can I still do the Kidney Cleanse?
The diuretic effects of this formula may enhance the toxic effects of certain medications, such as digoxin (used to treat congestive heart failure), phenytoin (for seizures), anticoagulants, and others. For this reason, people taking prescription medications should not use KGP Flush without first consulting a health care provider. Also, anyone with severe kidney problems should not use this formula without first consulting their physician.
Is it normal to experience gas with the recommended herbs in the Kidney Cleanse?
Some people do indeed experience gas for the first one or two days on the program. It usually passes (no pun intended) very quickly.
Why do you recommend mixing KGP Flush with apple juice, can I use something else?
You can use water or any juice you want. However, apple juice is high in malic acid which assists in dissolving and softening the waste. Make sure that you use fresh organic apple juice — not the bottled cooked apple juice found in most supermarkets. Also, make sure you dilute the juice 50/50 with water and spread its consumption out over several days so you don’t make your system overly acid.
Can I do the Kidney Detox (Detox 3) while on any of the other detoxes?
Yes, but if you are thinking of using it as preparation for the Liver Detox (Detox 4) to ease the passage of any gallstones, you will want to do it within 1-2 weeks of the flush.
If I do not have a gallbladder, do I still need to perform phase 2 (KGP Flush) of the detox?
It will obviously not matter much in terms of softening any waste in the gallbladder itself. However, it will soften any waste in the liver, which if not softened can still cause severe pain passing through the bile duct. Bottom line. Even if your gallbladder has been removed, it is highly recommended that you do the Kidney Detox before doing the liver flush.
What is the diet I need to have while on the liver detox?
It is extremely beneficial to incorporate a 2-day raw food and 3-day juice-fast into your 5-day cleanse. However, for those who can make it, a five day juice fast is the best.
I am a heavy drinker, is it a waste of time to do the liver detox?
In fact, because of the damage you have done to your liver, the liver detox is even more important for you. Just be aware the detoxification reaction may be stronger — more headaches, etc. The liver detox can help repair much of the damage that has been inflicted on the liver by heavy drinking. Obviously, going back to drinking after the liver detox is completed starts the damage again — but from a “higher” point. As to drinking during the detox. If someone can’t refrain from drinking during the liver detox, they probably don’t have enough self-control to do the detox in the first place. In which case, regular use of a milk thistle dietary supplement will help to deflect some of the damage.
How do I avoid chunks of garlic and strands of ginger in my morning drink?
Add your garlic and ginger to the blender first. Then add just enough orange juice (or grape if that’s what you’re using) to cover the blades. This will allow you to totally liquefy the garlic and ginger before you add the rest of the oil and orange juice and water. One other trick is to slice the chunks of ginger into thin slices across the fiber before adding to the blender. This will prevent longer fibers from appearing in your drink.
Some days I feel really tired and other days I have a natural “high”. Is this normal?
Some find they can’t sleep as late as they normally do. And some find they need to grab a nap during the day. Most people don’t report mental detoxing, but it’s probably more common than is reported. What most people do report, though, are periods of great clarity. Clarity of the senses (smell and vision tend to become incredibly sharp), and clarity of the mind (during the periods of up energy).
What other symptoms may I expect?
There are three distinct categories of Cleansing Reactions: When any cleansing program causes a large scale die-off of bacteria, a significant amount of endotoxins (toxins within the bacteria itself) are released into the body. The more bacteria present, and the stronger their endotoxins, the stronger the cleansing reaction. When any detox causes the organs of the body (particularly the liver, which is a storehouse of drug and poison residues) to release their stored poisons and toxins, a cleansing reaction may occur. Any program, such as fasting or the use of weight loss herbs which cause a rapid breakdown of fat cells (which are a storehouse for toxins), can be accompanied by a detox reaction. The healing crisis will usually bring about past conditions in whatever order the body is capable of handling at that time. People often forget the diseases or injuries they have had in the past, but are usually reminded during the crisis. Reactions may include: increased joint or muscle pain, headaches, diarrhea, extreme fatigue and/or its opposite, sleeplessness, nausea, sinus congestion, fever (usually low grade) and/or chills, frequent urination and/or urinary tract discharges, drop in blood pressure, skin eruptions, including: boils, hives, and rashes, (Note: skin eruptions are often misdiagnosed as allergic reactions, resulting in the premature cessation of the cleansing program.) and cold or flu-like symptoms. You may think that you actually feel worse or that the cleanse is not working at all. Do not despair. These are all signs that the cleanse is working and that your body is going through the process of cleaning itself of impurities, toxins and imbalances. Such reactions are temporary and can occur immediately — or within several days, or even several weeks, of a detox. Symptoms usually pass within 1-3 days, but on rare occasions can last several weeks.
If I use non-organic veggies, does this put the chemicals back in that I am trying to squeeze out?
It’s important, but not critical. It’s not so much the toxins in the non-organic vegetables (there really aren’t that many after they’ve been washed and scrubbed). It’s the lessened nutritional value. Organically grown tends to have higher vitamin, mineral, and phytochemical levels which are certainly preferable.
Do we skin the potatoes for the Potassium Broth?
In fact, you ONLY use the skins from 4 large organic potatoes, do not include the meat of the potato in your broth. The skins contain all the potassium.
How much water do I use when making the Potassium Broth?
For one person, we recommend using a 6-8 qt pot. For two people, use a 12qt stock pot. Cut up all the veggies, put them in the pot and then fill with water up until about an inch from the top. Bring to boil and then simmer about an hour. Note: 1 quart is equal to 32 ounces.
Can I continue to take my regular healthy supplements during the liver detox?
In general, the recommendation is to stop using supplements during the liver detox. Since most supplements, especially vitamin formulas, have to be processed by the liver, it makes sense to just give your liver a rest during the liver detox. Exceptions include, a colon corrective formula to keep things moving and digestive enzymes with your juice or salads to facilitate digestion, and you can also use probiotics if you want.
I am Hypoglycemic/Diabetic, can I still do the liver detox?
If you’re diabetic or hypoglycemic, you’ll want to make a couple of adjustments. For your Morning Flush drink, you’ll want to shift away from the orange or grape juice version to more of a lemon juice drink. It will be much tarter, and you will need to dilute it more than you would the other versions. For the fresh juice you drink during the day, you will want to tend more to diluted pure vegetable combos (avoiding beet and carrot), and back off from the fruit juice based drinks. One other thing that might help is to use Baseline Nutritionals Glucotor v.2, which will minimize the glycemic response.
Do I use blended whole lemon, peeled lemon or just the juice?
You can do any of the lemon options mentioned. The more of the lemon the better. But for taste and texture, fresh squeezed lemon juice is probably the best way to go on your first liver detox.
Can I use olive oil with my salad?
If you are not choosing to do the 5-day juice fast, on Days 1 of the detox you are allowed to have fresh veggie or sprout salad, with lemon juice, but no oil. On Day 5, once you have had your final morning drink, oil is not a problem. However, it is wise to wait a few hours after your morning drink to start breaking the fast gently.
I didn’t notice anything on this liver detox, is that good or bad?
Congratulations, you and Jon are in the same place. He never notices anything either. On a more serious note, it may mean that your liver was not overly toxic or packed with stones, or that you only got a partial release this time. Once you’ve done 2-3 detoxes with no significant side effects, you can be fairly sure your liver is basically clean. But keep in mind, the reason Jon keeps doing 2 liver detoxes a year is to keep things that way.
I did not see stones in the toilet, why is that?
We have heard from many people that they have seen “horrible” things floating in the toilet. But many notice nothing. That’s not unusual. In many cases the stones are too small to notice — or too few. Also, using psyllium during the detox, which makes the elimination of waste much easier, tends to encapsulate the waste and makes things harder to see. Another thing to keep in mind is that people often confuse the little “soap” beads that the body can make out of the olive oil in the alkaline environment of the intestinal tract as stones. On the other hand, the fact the body often produces “soap” stones doesn’t mean that it isn’t also flushing real gallstones. In the end, though, it’s not what you see, it’s how you feel. Wait for a few days after the cleanse and then evaluate. Do you feel lighter and cleaner? Is your breathing a little easier, less mucousy? Does food taste better? Etc. These are the tangible results you’re after. Or if nothing else, were you able to break some bad eating habits or lose some of that extra weight.
What if I can’t make it through the five days?
Remember, this is not an endurance contest. If you reach a point that you feel is unbearable, listen to your body and back off. You can always do the detox again later. On the other hand, if all you’re feeling is merely uncomfortable or “off”, stick with it. You will come out the other side.
I don’t have a gallbladder, will the liver detox still help?
Even with your gallbladder missing, you can receive major benefit from a liver detox. In most cases, removing the gallbladder doesn’t actually get rid of the problem — just the place the symptoms first show up. The problem usually is that liver function is compromised and the bile the liver produces is too thick and “sludgy”; so it forms stones in the gallbladder before it can pass out through the bile duct. If you don’t clean the liver out, the thickened bile will eventually “harden”; and destroy areas of the liver, in much the same way it formed stones in the gallbladder.
I was wondering when it would be okay to start drinking coffee again after the detox?
In terms of the detox, when complete, you can do anything you want. In terms of health, drinking a little coffee every now and then is fine, but drinking several cups a day for the caffeine energy to make it through the day, or because it’s a habit, is never a good idea.
I did the colon detox but missed the liver detox. Can I still do it or do I need to do the colon detox again?
As long as you’ve done the colon detox within 3-4 months of the liver detox, you’re fine. You can pick up again with the kidney & liver detox.
Can I continue the liquid juice fast once I’ve completed the Liver Detox?
Is it okay to drink purified water during the day instead of drinking juice?
The instructions are clear in this regard. Purified water first thing in the morning in addition to diluted fresh juices, liver tea, and potassium broth throughout the day. If you don’t have a juicer, you can find fresh juices at a Whole Foods market or a Jamba Juice.
Is there an alternative to the Potassium Broth? Can I skip it altogether?
The potassium broth is important because it provides both potassium, which gets leached from the body during the liver detox and because of the high garlic content, which helps cleanse the liver and helps purge parasites from the body. Did you try flavoring the broth with Bragg’s Amino Acids or if you like spicy food, some spices? Or in an emergency, try using some soy sauce. If even after doing that you can’t hold the broth down, you can stop using it for the last two days of the detox. If all else fails and you absolutely cannot hold the broth down, you will have to take a potassium supplement.
With respect to an enema, is that something you buy at the drug store?
Yes, enema bags are available at any good drug store.
Can I eat some dried fruit on the first and last day?
It’s best to stick with the fresh fruits and salads that Jon recommends – especially since most dried fruit contains added sulfur dioxide to keep it looking fresh.
Is it okay to add some starchy foods such as banana if my energy levels are down?
No, you don’t want to do that. But keep in mind, fresh juices provide a great deal of energy. And the chlorella provides a small amount of single cell, easily digestible protein. Energy levels go up and down when detoxing — not from lack of food, but from the effects of the detox. Keep the bowels moving, and it will be less of a problem. Also, make sure you have at least a small amount of fresh juice every hour to keep sugar levels balanced.
Can I use any kind of oil during the liver detox?
The only oil we recommend is olive oil. In fact if you check all the other Detox programs, the only oil recommended is olive oil.
Can the morning flush and the potassium broth be taken for maintenance after the detox?
Doing the morning drink daily will have two negative impacts. First, it adds unnecessary fat calories to your daily diet. But more importantly, it will cause your gallbladder to purge bile unnecessarily every morning. This might seem like a good thing, but in fact you will no longer have that bile in reserve later in the day when you need it to break down any fats you might have with your meals. As for the potassium broth, if your potassium levels are normal, you can have that as often as you like. However, if your potassium levels are high, or have a tendency to be high, daily consumption of the potassium broth could push them too high. If you’re not sure of your potassium levels, you probably need to check with your doctor.
Can your Liver Tincture remove ammonia from the bloodstream ?
Most ammonia in the body forms when protein is broken down by bacteria in the intestines. The liver normally converts ammonia into urea, which is then eliminated in urine. Ammonia levels in the blood rise when the liver is not able to convert ammonia to urea. This results from a liver not functioning at optimum levels. If you improve liver function, you improve the ability of the liver to remove ammonia from the blood. With that in mind, instead of just using the Liver Tincture, you might want to consider a full liver and blood detox.
I keep the liver detox tea in a 2-quart pot and just add a little herbs each day. Is this okay?
It is okay to leave the herbs for an extra day or two. However, you will probably want to make a completely fresh pot every two or three days at most.
Potato skins contain toxic glycoalkaloids. Is it safe to eat a broth based on skins?
There’s really no problem. Potatoes sold in stores have been bred to have low solanine levels usually below 200 mg/kg (200 ppmw). It is true that when these commercial varieties turn green, even they can approach concentrations of solanine of 1000 mg/kg (1000 ppmw). So you don’t want to use green potatoes in your broth. But in normal potatoes, analysis has shown solanine levels may be as little as 3.5% of the breeders’ maximum, with 7187 mg/kg being found. Also, keep in mind that you end up using just 5-6 potatoes to make a giant pot of potassium broth enough to cover two people for the duration of the fast. That means that in the end you’re consuming the skin of less than one potato per day. Not a big deal.
Is it typical to experience numbness in my fingers and on the bottom of my feet?
No, it is not typical. But then, in one sense, no liver detox is ever typical. Everyone carries their own unique combination of drug residues, toxins, heavy metals, and pesticide deposits in their liver. As they are purged from the liver, some invariably escape into the bloodstream. As the body deals with them, before purging them from the system, people can experience many different symptoms. This is one of the main causes of what’s referred to as the Healing Crisis. If the symptoms are severe, it is recommended that you stop the detox, let your body regroup, and then try again at a later time. If the symptoms are not too severe, then most people just push through. Once the detox is over, the symptoms will begin to fade — although in rare instances, they can persist for as long as a couple of weeks. Keep in mind, that when there are noticeable symptoms such as you’ve described, it usually means that toxin levels were high in the liver, and you will want to repeat the liver detox sometime soon (within a couple of weeks or so) to make sure you clean out all harmful residues.
I want to do the colon detox and liver detox both at the same time. Can I do that?
Only in the most extreme circumstances when at deaths door. Otherwise, it is imperative for you to understand that you must complete the colon detox program before embarking on the liver detox. The reason for this is simple and easy to understand. The liver dumps its waste through the bile duct and directly into the colon. If your colon isn’t clean first, all that toxic bacterial sludge can back up into your bloodstream and produce a very strong detox reaction.
Is it debilitating for the body to be deprived of almost all protein for five consecutive days during the Liver Detox?
First of all, you’re not being deprived of all protein. The chlorella that you’re having with your juice is about 80% useable protein by weight. Also, the principles of fasting apply while on the juice fast. Yes, the body cannibalizes itself to some degree during the fast. But being intelligent and self-regulating, it uses the opportunity to cannibalize the cells it likes least: toxic cells, weak cells, diseased cells. It provides an opportunity for the body to purge, cleanse, and repair.
Is it safe for me to do a liver cleanse even though I don’t have a gallbladder?
When the doctors removed your gallbladder, they removed only the source of the symptoms, not the source of the problem, your liver. You still need to flush the excess fats and cholesterol out of your liver. And yes, it’s safe for you to do the liver detox program without having a gallbladder. The process will fully cleanse your liver and blood supply, but not be affected by the absence of your gallbladder. You’ll still reap the same good results after performing this cleanse as someone who still has their gallbladder. Note: without a gallbladder to regulate the flow of bile, you should consider supplementing with Digestive Enzymes and an ox bile digestive aid with every meal.
My mother is taking medication for her heart problems. Can she still do the colon and liver detox?
For obvious legal reasons, we cannot diagnose or prescribe for specific medical conditions, merely provide information. With that in mind … Many people using medications have successfully done the detoxes with their doctor’s permission and guidance. When doing the colon detox, make sure you don’t take your medications within 60 minutes of taking the detox powder. There is a small chance the detox powder could absorb the medication if you do. Also, when doing the detoxes have your doctor monitor your condition carefully since the detox may require an adjustment in your medication.
After using KGP Flush, how soon can I begin liver & blood cleansing?
When using this health supplement in preparation for the liver detoxification, the closer the timing of the two detoxes the better. But at a minimum, make sure you start the liver detoxification within 30 days of starting the kidney detox so the gallstones don’t get a chance to reharden before flushing.
Do I have to follow the prescribed diet or can I add light meals?
No. You MUST follow the instructions to the T when doing the liver detox. There are very specific reasons for this. If you are looking for a lighter version of the Liver Detox that does not involve fasting, there is a slow and easy version that will give you 70-80% of the benefit without the difficulty. Just eat one cup of freshly grated beets mixed with olive oil and lemon juice for 30 days straight. Daily use of the Liver Flush tea is required and one bottle of Liver Tincture is highly recommended.
How soon after having my morning flush drink can I have the Liver Flush Tea?
You can start sipping the tea almost immediately after finishing your Morning Flush shake.
What are the rules for the first 3 to 5 days after the fast such as what to avoid, what to eat when, and tips?
When coming off the detox, you’re trying to accomplish a couple of things. Your body will suck up whatever you put in it after the detox, so you want it to be the cleanest food you can eat for 3 days after the detox is over. You also don’t want to get constipated when you suddenly start eating again, so you want to be sure your food has a lot of fiber. In general, Jon recommends starting with raw foods. That’s why salads (either vegetable or fruit) are recommended on the first day. Then, if you wish, you can go to lightly steamed vegetables on the second day.
Can the Liver Flush Tea be sweetened with Stevia?
Jon suggests sweetening the tea with a little honey or maple syrup if you wish during the detox. But stevia is acceptable if you wish to use it.
Why do we have to wait until day 2 to have the potassium broth? Can I drink it throughout the day?
You don’t have to wait. You can start on day one if you wish. Jon is just trying not to overwhelm people on the first day. And yes, you can drink it throughout the day — but don’t forget to drink the tea too.
How important is the Colon Corrective for the Liver Detox?
It’s only important if you start plugging up. Without it, you’ll probably have to use an enema in the morning. The cleaner you keep the colon during the detox, the better you’ll feel.
I can’t stomach the garlic in the morning flush drink. Can I leave it out?
Garlic plays an important role in helping purge parasites while cleaning out the liver. However, if you can’t handle it, it’s better to do the flush without the garlic, than not do it at all.
Pertaining to the instructions, how much is a ‘dropper’ or ‘dropperful’?
One dropper equals 1ml, as marked on the dropper.
I can’t use your tinctures because they have alcohol in them, what should I do?
You can eliminate most of the alcohol in the tinctures by adding the tincture dose to some warm water. As the water cools most of the alcohol will evaporate.
For more detox frequently asked questions and answers:
Detox 1: Colon Detox FAQs
Detox 2: Heavy Metal Detox FAQs
Detox 3: Kidney Detox FAQs
Detox 4: Liver Detox FAQs
Detox 5: Blood Cleanse FAQs
The first day I had no
The first day I had no discernible side effects. The second day (and every following day) terrible gas (thank goodness not stinky). By the end of the second day I had explosive diarrhea. I mean have to leave work and go home and change clothes and wear depends from then on. This is still going on and I’m about to do the final steps (6th day). I’m very nervous about these last steps because I’m already expelling everything I put in my body. Is this normal?
This is the first we have had
This is the first we have had anyone report this, but if you are still taking the Colon Corrective, you should reduce the amount. Keep us posted!