Personal Comparison of 2 slightly different liver/gb flush methods

[Guest guest]

I did a gb flush last weekend using the late Dr. Atkins's

protocol as found at this link:

http://books.google.com/books?id=fdwhyzaj8EkC & pg=RA1-PA228 & dq=atkins+AGE-DEFYING\

+DIET+liver+flush#PRA1-PA230,M1

and am offering a fairly detailed personal comparison of that method

and a similar method I did over 2 years ago for educational purposes

only. Note: I do not have an accurate stone count or weight for

comparison nor did I have the results analyzed for composition.

The primary differences in protocols were: (2007) use of apple juice

instead of (2009, Atkins) lemon juice (in water,) (2007) use of epsom

salts instead of (2009, Atkins) milk of magnesia (mom,) and (2007) use

of extra virgin olive oil instead of (2009, Atkins) refined virgin

olive oil. [Note: I can't find the exact protocol I used in 2007; it

was on the internet and is quite similar to other epsom salt methods

commonly found except that it also included the 5 day pre-prep of

apple juice, whereas many plans forgo the juice prep.]

Now, as far as effects and results go, this was my experience:

2007: results of use of epsom salts (es) method: less palatable to

ingest es; loss of a lot of fluid with bowel movements, considerable

nausea with bowel movements; next day expulsion of blackish, greenish

and golden lumps (apparent peanut-sized stones and gravel, *perhaps*

1/2 cup in volume) both large and small, clearly continuing for

another day or so. Also, sensitive, irritated skin in rectal area

following the frequent, watery stools. Expulsion of stones or gravel

continued a couple days to a lesser extent.

Atkins (Jan, 2009): use of mom instead of epsom salts: only a little

mild nausea (1x) and soft stool 1st time; no watery stools whatsoever;

appearance of green/golden lumps/blobs (perhaps 1/4 cup peanut-sized

stones and gravel) was not visible until Monday, 2 days after the last

dose of mom (Sat.) and continuing two more days to a lesser extent.

Overall, the Atkins protocol was barely disruptive to normal

activities compared to the es method. The only time I was " out of

commission " was from bedtime Fri. (after the olive oil) and cautiously

" on standby " for trips to the bathroom at home Saturday. By Sunday, I

was confident that I was not going to have any untimely " explosive "

expulsion of liquid with or without stones; I never did with this

protocol. With less loss of body fluids and a slower, gentler emptying

of the bowels, there was little feeling of weakness and nausea after

the first post-mom bm and it subsided within an hour or two. I was

eager to eat breakfast around 10:30 a.m.

As far as expected results (2009,) I was unsure what to expect since I

haven't had any gall bladder symptoms like I did in 2007 (lower right

pain under rib, nausea, irregular bms, burping that all resolved after

the last liver/gb cleanse) except for some recent irregularity.

Since I ended up finding apparent stones and gravel this time round, I

am very satisfied with the Atkins protocol; it was very comfortable

yet productive in contrast to the es method which I found more

uncomfortable, irritating to skin, and disruptive (which I fully and

realistically expected) though gratifying in that the results came

sooner and were easier to spot due to less actual stool and the

abundance of clear fluid.

Conclusion: Given the alternative of mom (instead of es,) I am more

likely to repeat the cleanse at a minimum of every six months or as

desired if it does not interfere much with my activities except for

just a few waking hours. I certainly was not eager to repeat the es

method as a routine cleanse due to need for " time out " to deal with

the elimination process, but willingness to try the mom method seems

to have paid off, though it takes a little more patience to see the

results.

Things open to consideration:

Regarding the epsom salt method I have considered using less epsom

salts to decrease discomforts such as nausea and skin irritation.

Regarding the mom method (Atkins version) I might consider increasing

the amount of mom to within recommended and reasonable dose on the

manufacturer's packaging if I wanted to expedite the process and was

willing to risk a little more discomfort and nausea. (The dose per the

Atkins method is only a couple teaspoons whereas my bottle of mom

would allow for 2-4 tablespoons daily as I recall -- but of course I

would check and recheck the recommended dose before altering anything.)

Again, this information is for educational purposes only. It is not

medical advice.

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to clarify and correct something I mis-stated; I got

results with the Atkins protocol on Monday, which was *one* day after

the last dose of mom (just the same as with the 2007 epsom salts

method.) So the Atkins method introduces the cleanse after 6 days of

juice prep; not five as the epsom salts method does.