Known as the Herxheimer Reaction, this happens during the “kill off” phase when certain bacteria in your gut that are “too high and not helping your gut health” start to die, either through a change in diet, antibiotic or herbal intervention – or a combination of these. What to expect whilst this is happening? The following guide explains this to you.
STAGE 1 Day 1-10 ( Approx)
In most cases, in this phase you will experience gastrointestinal gas build up and by-product creation to the reactions your body is experiencing. Excessive flatulence and stool movements with a noticeably strong odour may occur. This is normal and will pass, however, due to the ‘die off’ reaction you may experience, this is unfortunately unavoidable in some cases on your way to health.
STAGE 2 Day 10-21( Approx)
At this point in time, your body is experiencing the greatest accumulation and removal of bacteria, which may result in both an increase in the quantity of waste removal, as well as an increase in frequency. Excessive visits to the toilet may be experienced and you may also notice a significant increase in waste content. Around this portion of die off – a lot of patients get incredibly forgetful, grumpy, moody, teary and irritable. If you are one of those – do give your family a heads up or ask them if you are turning into a grump.
STAGE 3 Day 21-42 ( Approx)
Now that the majority of bad bacteria has been removed, you should begin to notice all the side effects in the previous week begin to diminish. Here is where you will experience the greatest sense of gut relief and your digestion and bowel movements will begin to regulate.
Think of your gut in gardening terms:
Gut = garden. E. Coli – veggies you can eat. Bacteroides = your mainstay veggie plants.
Part 1 of gut program (at gutbrainscience.com.au) is spent getting rid of the bugs/pests and preparing the soil/gut – so the die off period
Part 2 of gut program (at gutbrainscience.com.au) is planting the seeds and looking after the plants.
It will take time before you can reap the rewards, but that doesn’t mean nothing is happening.
Different plants take different times to produce a crop. Everyone will be different and make progress at different speeds.
Symptoms of Die-off
- Brain fog worsening
- Headaches
- Fatigue – it is like walking through wet concrete
- Moodiness and irritability
- Bloating.. bad wind
- Diarrhea or constipation.. …charcoal is to help. No charcoal if you get constipated
- Joint pain
- Nausea
- Skin issues
- Flu-like symptoms
- Sleep issues…. Waking after going to sleep – like that 3 am waking.
How to avoid making ‘die off’ worse.
Starve the overgrowth of bacteria. Don’t cheat on your personalised nutrition advice.
Take it easy… move to the slow lane for a few weeks.
Reduce toxic burden – cut out coffee, alcohol, smoking.
DRINK WARM WATER! Until your urine is clear.
Have warm baths and infra-red saunas to sweat out the toxins GENTLY.
SLEEP! At least 8 hours per night.