Why Detox Makes You Feel Worse: The Hidden Role of Your Genes

Have you ever tried to “detox” or clean up your diet, only to feel more tired, bloated, foggy, or emotional than before?

You’re not alone. Many women tell me:

👉 “I just want to feel normal again, but every time I start something healthy, I feel worse.”
👉 “Why can everyone else do these detoxes and feel amazing, but I feel sick and exhausted?”
👉 “My body just doesn’t work like it should.”

I understand this deeply, because I’ve been there too.

💛 My Story

After I had my twins, my hormones went crazy. I felt constantly tired, bloated, anxious, and just down. My digestion slowed down, I was puffy no matter what I ate, and I just didn’t feel like myself anymore.

My doctor told me it was my thyroid and gave me pills, but I had adverse reactions to them. When I wasn’t reacting badly, I felt no different. They told me:

"You just need to be on these for life."

But they weren’t helping me live. I was surviving, not thriving. Deep down, I knew there had to be another way.

That’s when I found naturopathy. I dove into studying while raising my three little kids, determined to understand my body and heal it naturally. Today, I no longer have thyroid symptoms. My energy is back. My digestion works. My hormones are balanced. Naturopathy gave me my life back, and now I help other women find theirs.

🧬 The Genetic Piece No One Talks About

One thing I learned is that our genetics play a huge role in how we detoxify. Some people have small genetic variations (called SNPs, or single nucleotide polymorphisms) that affect their detox pathways.

🔬 What are SNPs?

SNPs are tiny differences in our DNA that can influence how enzymes in our body work. They don’t “cause disease” by themselves, but they can make certain pathways slower or faster.

When it comes to detoxification, some important genetic variants include:

✅ MTHFR variants (e.g. C677T, A1298C) – affect methylation, which is essential for detoxing hormones, managing homocysteine, producing energy, and regulating mood. If you have these, your body might struggle with synthetic folic acid or need active forms of folate (methylfolate). Poor methylation can cause fatigue, anxiety, hormone imbalance, and poor detox capacity.

✅ COMT variants – affect how you break down estrogen, adrenaline, and dopamine. If COMT is slow, you might feel anxious, wired, or estrogen dominant. If it’s fast, you might clear these too quickly and feel flat or unmotivated.

✅ GST variants (Glutathione-S-Transferase) – affect your ability to produce and recycle glutathione, your body’s master antioxidant and key detox molecule. Low glutathione function can lead to poor toxin clearance, inflammation, and chemical sensitivities.

✅ CYP450 enzymes (Phase I liver detox genes) – variations here can make Phase I detox faster or slower. If Phase I is too fast and Phase II (conjugation) is sluggish, you can end up with a build-up of toxic intermediates that make you feel worse during detox.

✅ DAO (Diamine Oxidase) – involved in breaking down histamine from foods. Variants here can mean you’re prone to histamine intolerance, leading to headaches, skin issues, bloating, sinus congestion, or insomnia when eating high-histamine foods.

🌸 How Does This Affect Detox Symptoms?

If you’ve tried detoxes or liver support powders and felt:

• Exhausted or foggy

• Nauseous or bloated

• Anxious or moody

• Headachy or achy

…it could be because your detox pathways are unbalanced.

Here’s why:

1. Phase I and Phase II imbalance:
   Detoxification in the liver happens in two phases. Phase I transforms toxins into intermediate compounds, which are often more toxic than the original substance. Phase II neutralises them and makes them safe to excrete.
   If Phase I is fast (due to diet, herbs, or supplements) but Phase II is sluggish (due to genetics, nutrient deficiencies, or overload), these toxic intermediates build up in your body, making you feel worse.

2. Poor methylation:
   If your MTHFR function is reduced, you may struggle to produce enough methyl groups needed for detoxification, hormone metabolism, and energy. This can lead to fatigue, hormonal symptoms, and poor resilience to stress.

3. Low glutathione:
   Without good GST function or enough glutathione, your body can’t neutralise oxidative stress or toxins effectively. You may feel inflamed, achy, or sensitive to chemicals, fragrances, or alcohol.

4. Histamine intolerance:
   If your DAO enzyme isn’t breaking down histamine well, a detox diet high in fermented foods, bone broth, or certain vegetables might cause headaches, bloating, skin issues, or insomnia.

💛 You’re Not Broken

If you’ve tried to improve your health but felt worse, it’s not your fault. Your body isn’t broken; it just needs the right support for your unique biochemistry.

This is why, in naturopathy, we look at your individual genetic tendencies and detox capacity before recommending protocols. Supporting your liver isn’t about taking “liver detox powders” – it’s about gently nourishing Phase I and Phase II pathways, ensuring good methylation, supporting glutathione, and choosing foods and herbs that suit you.

🌿 Imagine…

✨ Feeling clear-headed and energised after your meals
✨ Doing gentle detoxification without side effects
✨ Understanding why your body reacts the way it does
✨ Eating without constant bloating or fatigue
✨ Feeling confident that your body is supported to heal naturally

💛 You’re Not Alone

I see women every week who feel frustrated, scared, and unheard. I want you to know: there is another way. If you’ve been told you need to live with symptoms forever or rely on pills that aren’t helping, I am here to show you that natural, personalised approaches can change your life – just like they did mine.

🌸 Ready to Start Your Healing Journey?

If this resonates with you and you’re tired of feeling tired, I invite you to book a free 15-minute discovery call with me. Let’s chat about your health goals and how we can support your body to detox and thrive – safely and naturally.

📚 References

1. MTHFR and Methylation:

• Bailey, S. W., & Ayling, J. E. (2009). The extremely slow and variable activity of dihydrofolate reductase in human liver and its implications for high folic acid intake. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(36), 15424–15429.

• Lucock, M. (2000). Folic acid: nutritional biochemistry, molecular biology, and role in disease processes. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, 71(1-2), 121-138.

1. COMT Variants and Detoxification:

• Tunbridge, E. M., Harrison, P. J., & Weinberger, D. R. (2006). Catechol-o-Methyltransferase, cognition, and psychosis: Val158Met and beyond. Biological Psychiatry, 60(2), 141-151.

1. GST and Glutathione Pathways:

• Townsend, D. M., Tew, K. D., & Tapiero, H. (2003). The importance of glutathione in human disease. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 57(3-4), 145-155.

1. CYP450 Variants and Phase I Detoxification:

• Zanger, U. M., & Schwab, M. (2013). Cytochrome P450 enzymes in drug metabolism: regulation of gene expression, enzyme activities, and impact of genetic variation. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 138(1), 103-141.

1. Histamine Intolerance and DAO:

• Maintz, L., & Novak, N. (2007). Histamine and histamine intolerance. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 85(5), 1185-1196.

1. Detoxification Phases and Genetic Variants in Clinical Practice:

• Bland, J. (2012). *The Disease Delusion