Can you overdose on detoxing?

Natural Health, Dec, 2001 by Carol Thom

I started your "12 Months to Total Wellness" program a couple of months ago. What a great idea. After following the detox diet (March 2001), my symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) disappeared for almost two weeks. But as I added new foods back into my diet, they reappeared. I'd like to follow the detox program once every two months to help my IBS long-term. Is that safe?

Carol Thom
Playa del Rey, Calif., via email

Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., replies: One week every three months is okay. If you do a regular detox, your body may be able to let you know better what it doesn't like. Pay particular attention to which foods trigger your irritable bowel symptoms when you introduce them back into your diet.