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Detoxing From Dairy Products
by Denise
(Aurora, CO)
Question?
Should I expect to be detoxing from dairy products?
I have been vegetarian for a year and a half, but went completely vegan 4 months ago. I have tried to find information regarding the effects of detoxing from (lots of) dairy products, but have not been able to have my question directly answered. I have suffered from breakouts on my forehead and jawline since becoming vegan. I am curious as to how long this "detoxing" might last, if you think that is the issue.
I have also considered a sensitivity to soy products as a possible cause. If you have any advice on clearing it up, that would be wonderful as well. Thank you for a great website and newsletter!
Blessings,
Denise King
Answer:
The same exact thing happened to me, and I have heard of many other people going through the same thing. Dairy products today are filled with unnatural growth hormones, antibiotics, and other chemicals, and our bodies are simply not designed to deal with the milk of another animal. Milk is created to give babies (of the same species) a way to quickly gain weight, and then the babies are weaned off of it onto food that is natural to them.
You can read all about the dairy and cheese industry in its gory detail in my ebook Cut the Cheese, which is dedicated to helping people quit cheese and move on with their lives.
So, when you stop eating dairy products, your body will likely react in some way. Some people immediately begin to feel lighter, and misinterpret that as feeling weak. Others get headaches, feel nauseated, get rashes, and/or break out. Don't worry-- it's completely normal. It's hard to say exactly how long it will last, but it should probably only be about 6 months total.
Having said that, there is a way to quickly balance your hormones with food. I found that as soon as I started eating 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed
every day, my acne went away. I now use chia seeds
and make a chia gel that gives me the same results. The reason these seeds work so well is that they are high in omega-3 fatty acids and work as anti-inflammatory agents (keeping inflammation in the form of acne at bay) and they also help to balance your hormones. I highly recommend adding those to your diet right away, and I bet you'll see results quickly.
Some people also find that eating sugar, wheat, and soy can affect the quality of their skin. My guess is that this is because of how they tax our bodies and disrupt our hormones. If you focus on vegetables, fruits, true whole grains, legumes, and nuts/seeds and drink plenty of water, your skin should work its problems out fairly quickly.
I hope that helps!
~Cathleen