Definition: Jarisch-Herxheimer phenomenon is a reaction due to bacterial endotoxins and microbial antigens that are liberated by the destruction of microorganisms.

It’s the reason we encourage everyone to go slowly with their cleansing efforts to avoid these symptoms. However, it’s not as intimidating when you understand the science behind it all.

** Not everyone will experience this! **

The die-off process is broken down into three distinct phases:

1. Cell death
2. Immune response
3. Detoxification

In phase 1…
as we treat pathogens like parasites, bacteria and yeast, they begin to die. During this “cell death”, we see the release of their metabolic waste and also the breakdown of biofilms (which acts as a shield or protective home for the bacteria, parasites or yeast living inside, making them difficult to detect and remove).

When this happens you then see the release of endotoxins and glycoconjugates as these toxins are being released and are no longer hiding in your GI tract. Some of this toxin is recirculated. It can cause an inflammatory response in your body as it starts to fight these.

Because inflammation is at the heart of die-off symptoms, many other sources of inflammation can be confused with them. These other sources of inflammation could be mental/emotional or stress-related, new gut irritations, or other forms of stress on the body. Which is also why some of us notice an emotional response to detox.

Then the immune response…phase 2.
Your immune system starts working overtime to kill and clear these toxins from your body to avoid infections hanging around. Lipopolysaccharides (bacteria) specifically, is also an exogenous pyrogen or fever-inducing substance, which explains the flu-like bacteria die-off symptoms experienced by many people during this phase.

Inflammation is a natural response of the immune system and needed to overcome infection, it can, temporarily, lead to symptoms like aches and pains, skin rashes, headaches, etc, which we often describe as die-off.

This is where Detoxification comes to play in step 3.
All of the broken down biofilm and released toxins, parasites, bacteria, etc need to go somewhere. The quicker your body is able to eliminate this waste the less likely you are to feel lousy.

With a healthy GI tract, strong intestinal lining and regular mobility, most of these toxins would move through the large intestine and be excreted via the stool. However, people with a congested slow gut or infection or overgrowth don’t always have a healthy GI tract.

This can be problematic when you have a significant release of pathogens and toxins at the same time.

It is why we encourage that you support your detox pathways by doing a pre cleanse for a few weeks prior to diving into the hardcore cleansing or Fast.

By Cleaning up Colon, Liver, Kidneys and encouraging the lymphatic system which helps filter your body’s waste (cellular sewage), before being sent to other drainage organs such as your kidneys, colon and skin.

For many of those suffering from years of chronic digestive symptoms, these elimination pathways can become blocked or sluggish. This means the body struggles to eliminate these toxins and allows them to recirculate in the body. This inability to eliminate toxins can make bacteria, yeast and parasite die-off symptoms more noticeable and last longer.
The most common bacteria, yeast and parasite die-off symptoms are:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Body aches and pains
• Skin rashes or reactions
• Mood symptoms
• Respiratory phlegm or stuffy/runny nose
• Increased GI upset
• Flu-like symptoms

So… Here are a few tips if you feel like you are struggling.

Adopt a month of Pre-Cleanse assisted by the Home Detox Kit. During this period address the following….

Elimination diet. Switching to a “Real Human Food” real-food based diet that eliminates processed foods, refined sugar and other ingredients that feed pathogens will often cause the bad bugs to starve as we cut off their food supply. 

Hydration. It helps to flush toxins out through the systems. Distilled Water from a home distiller is our water of choice.

Dry brushing your lymphatic system to keep it moving.  It helps detoxify your skin by increasing blood circulation and promoting lymph flow/drainage.

Rest. Healing can be hard work, especially if your body is trying to fight a heavy load of pathogenic infections or parasites. During the early phase of an elimination protocol, you need to give yourself space to rest without placing too many additional stressors on the system.

Liver support. You can try adding liver support such as thistle and dandelion supplements, or dedicated liver herbs.

Epsom Salt Soaks are relaxing. They can increase magnesium levels to help with aches and pains and keeping you regular. They also help draw toxins from the skin and it can increase sulfate levels which is very helpful for liver detox.
Hopefully you now have a better understanding of the causes of die-off symptoms and why it’s so important to listen to your body as you begin to take the steps to help it recover!