Olive Oil and Lemon Juice Detox

Some people believe that natural detox diets can help the body release toxins blamed for fatigue, headaches, nausea and a multitude of chronic conditions. The olive oil and lemon juice detox is intended to help cleanse the liver and gallbladder, clearing stored bile, cholesterol and gallstones.

There are many versions of the olive oil and lemon juice detox. The simplest version is more of a home remedy than a detox regimen. It should used if you are experiencing symptoms such as intermittent abdominal pain, indigestion, gas, constipation or nausea. Mix 1 cup of olive oil with 1 cup of lemon juice. Take 2 tablespoons of the mixture three times a day, before each meal. You should expect to see results within five days.

A true detox is slightly more involved and would last anywhere from three to seven days. You will need olive oil, fresh organic lemon juice, organic apples and apple juice, prune juice and an herbal laxative. During the three-day detox, you can have all the apples and apple juice you like, but no other foods. During a seven-day cleanse, you may include other fruits and vegetables but avoid meat, dairy, wheat products as well as sugar and caffeine.

On the final day, drink 1 cup of prune juice with dinner and take an herbal laxative about an hour later. Before going to bed, mix a half-cup of olive oil with an equal amount of fresh organic lemon juice in a shaker at room temperature. Drink the entire cup of liquid. Lie on your right side at least 30 minutes with your knees to your chest. When you wake up in the morning, take the herbal laxative again, and follow up with another cup of prune juice about 30 minutes later. Be prepared for a rather urgent need to go to the bathroom at some point during the day.

The liver and gallbladder can become congested as a result of poor diet, according to detox advocates. Bile becomes thick and sludgy, forming grease balls in the liver and gallbladder. This sludge becomes toxic and can cause everything from irritability and difficulty sleeping to headaches and food allergies. If these grease balls are not flushed from the body, they can harden and turn into stones, which may require surgery.

As with any drastic diet change, consult with a doctor before trying the olive oil and lemon juice detox. For most people the diets should be safe under a doctor's supervision. You may, however, experience nausea and explosive diarrhea. Don't stay on any detox diet for longer than a few days. They are intended as a short-term treatment, not a long-term way of eating. Don't attempt a detox diet if you have blood sugar problems such as diabetes, low blood sugar, a heart condition or a chronic condition that requires medication. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not go on a detox diet. The detox diet is not appropriate for children, teens or the elderly.