Post-Holiday Detox: NAD, EBOO & Light Therapies for Gut Health

After the holidays, a lot of people feel “off” in ways that aren’t just about willpower. It’s not only the tighter pants or the extra sugar—it’s the bloating and sluggish digestion, the brain fog, the fatigue that lingers, skin flares you didn’t have before, cravings that feel louder than usual, and mood swings that make you wonder, “What is happening to me?”

In Dr. Williamson’s integrative functional medicine approach, “detox” doesn’t mean a harsh cleanse or starving your way back to balance. It means restoring the body’s built-in, everyday cleanup and repair systems—especially along the gut–liver–immune axis. When that axis is supported, digestion tends to normalize, inflammation quiets, and energy becomes more stable.

That’s where a layered plan can help: foundational gut support first, then—when appropriate—advanced, clinician-guided tools that support resilience at a deeper level, including NAD therapy, EBOO ozone therapy, and light therapies. These aren’t meant to replace the basics. They’re designed to complement them, especially when you feel depleted and your system needs more than “just eat clean.”

The Foundations First: Your 7-Day Gut Reset Baseline

Reduce the Inflow

For seven days, aim for a gentle but meaningful reduction in the inputs that commonly irritate the gut after the holidays:

• Pause or significantly reduce alcohol and bring awareness to sugar (especially “hidden” sugars in sauces, snacks, and drinks).
• Earlier dinner timing: Late-night eating can worsen reflux, disrupt sleep, and contribute to morning sluggishness.
• Simple food upgrades: Build meals around protein + plants + fiber. If you know your biggest triggers (fried foods, heavy dairy, gluten, excess processed foods), consider a temporary break—not forever, just long enough to calm the system.
• Hydration + minerals/electrolytes: Many post-holiday symptoms are amplified by dehydration and mineral depletion. Support your fluids so digestion and elimination can move.

Support the Outflow 

If you do nothing else, support regular bowel movements—because detox depends on exit routes.

• Constipation checklist:
  
  • Fiber from whole foods (vegetables, berries, chia/flax, legumes if tolerated)
  • Magnesium if appropriate for you (especially if stools are hard or infrequent—best personalized with a clinician)
  • Walking and gentle movement daily
  • Consistent meal timing to support motility
• Bile support basics (food-first): Bitter greens, lemon, and a protein foundation can support digestion for many people. Gentle bitters can be considered if tolerated, but the first step is always food and rhythm.
• Daily movement for lymph + blood sugar stability: A 10–20 minute walk after meals supports glucose control and helps lymphatic circulation—both helpful for inflammation and detox capacity.

Calm the Nervous System 

Your gut doesn’t detox well in fight-or-flight. The fastest way to shift your physiology is often the simplest.

• 2–5 minutes of breathing practice twice daily: Slow nasal breathing with longer exhales can help signal safety to the nervous system and support digestion.
• Sleep basics:
  
  • Dim lights in the evening
  • Keep the bedroom cool and dark
  • Set a caffeine cutoff that supports you (many people feel better with caffeine earlier in the day)

NAD Therapy

NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a foundational coenzyme your body uses to support mitochondrial energy production, cellular repair, and overall resilience. In simple terms: if your cells are the engine, NAD is part of what helps the engine run and recover.

After the holidays, NAD demand often rises because the body is managing more of the things that drain recovery capacity—stress, poor sleep, inflammation, alcohol intake, blood sugar swings, and the normal effects of aging. That doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with you; it means your body may be operating with a higher workload and fewer resources.

Why NAD can matter for gut health

Gut health isn’t just about food choices—it’s also about energy availability. Your digestive system is one of the most metabolically active systems in the body. Energy is required for:

• Gut lining turnover and repair (the intestinal lining renews quickly)
• Motility (healthy movement of food/waste through the GI tract)
• Immune balance (a large portion of immune activity is connected to the gut)

NAD delivery options

In Dr. Linette Williamson’s practice, NAD support is approached as wellness and recovery support, not a disease treatment—and the best form depends on goals, tolerance, and medical history.

• IV NAD therapy: Often chosen for those who want a more direct, clinician-guided approach. IV delivery allows careful titration based on how you feel during the session.
• IM (intramuscular): A different delivery route some people prefer for convenience or tolerance.
• Oral precursors: Some individuals start with oral NAD precursors as part of a broader plan (nutrition, sleep, gut support), especially when they want a more gradual approach.

What a NAD session can look like in practice

A typical experience is designed to be steady and supportive:

• Pre-session: Screening, a review of your health history/medications, and a hydration plan.
• During: Sensations vary. Some people notice warmth, flushing, or a pressure-like feeling at times—others feel very little. Dr. Williamson’s team adjusts pacing with comfort and safety in mind.
• After: Most people do best with hydration, a protein-forward meal, and a lighter schedule if possible. Planning an intense workout immediately after isn’t always ideal until you know how your body responds.

Who might consider NAD in a post-holiday detox plan

NAD therapy may be considered for people who feel:

• Fatigued, low motivation, or brain-fogged (non-diagnostic patterns)
• Depleted after travel, stress, poor sleep, or more alcohol/sugar than usual
• Like they’re working on gut repair and want to also support mitochondrial recovery

EBOO Ozone Therapy

EBOO (extracorporeal blood oxygenation and ozonation) is an advanced ozone therapy approach performed with medical oversight. In broad terms, it involves circulating blood through specialized equipment where it is oxygenated and treated in a controlled way, then returned—under close monitoring.

It’s different from other ozone delivery methods you may hear about, such as:

• MAH (major autohemotherapy)
• Ozone insufflation
• Ozone sauna therapy

How EBOO can fit into gut health goals

Gut healing rarely succeeds in isolation. Even the best nutrition plan can stall if the body is under-recovered or inflamed. EBOO may be considered as part of a broader gut strategy because gut resilience often improves when these systemic pillars are supported:

• Energy and recovery capacity
• Inflammation balance
• Circulation and overall physiological resilience

What an EBOO session may look like

While protocols vary based on the individual:

• Pre-screening: Vitals, hydration status, and medical clearance are essential.
• During: The session is monitored for comfort and safety.
• After: Recovery guidance matters—hydration, nutrition, and pacing your day. Dr. Williamson often uses a “start low and slow” philosophy when layering therapies.

Light Therapies for Gut Health

Photobiomodulation (often called “light therapy”) uses specific wavelengths of light as a biological signal that may support cellular energy and recovery pathways. Mitochondria are often part of the discussion because they’re responsive to cellular signaling inputs—and because energy availability is a common limiting factor in recovery.

In Dr. Linette Williamson’s practice, devices like TheraLumen and HemaLumen may be used as supportive tools within a bigger plan—especially when the nervous system is stressed and the body feels depleted.

Where light therapies may fit post-holiday

Light therapies may be considered when someone is:

• Inflamed or depleted
• Recovering from stress and sleep loss
• Trying to build consistency with a foundational gut protocol and wants an additional supportive tool that isn’t “another stimulant”

What sessions can look like

Sessions are typically straightforward and often feel subtle: relaxation, warmth, calm, or simply “more regulated.” Frequency is personalized—some people do better with a consistent routine, while others need a lighter approach depending on sensitivity and schedule.

The Post-Holiday Reset Works Best When You Treat the Gut Like the Root

If you feel “off” after the holidays—bloating, sluggish digestion, brain fog, fatigue, cravings, skin flares, mood swings—it’s rarely a willpower problem. More often, it’s a predictable mix of gut disruption + stress physiology + inflammation + depleted cellular energy. When those systems are overloaded, you can eat “perfectly” for a few days and still not feel like yourself, because your body is trying to regain rhythm and repair capacity—not just cut calories.

Book a Post-Holiday Gut Health Consultation

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start rebuilding your baseline, Dr. Linette Williamson can help you create a tailored plan based on your symptoms, history, and goals—whether you’re focused on bloating, fatigue, brain fog, cravings, skin flares, or building a smarter reset routine that actually lasts.

Contact Dr. Linette Williamson, MD

• Phone: (760) 875-2627
• Address: 317 North El Camino Real, Suite 107, Encinitas, CA 92024
• Also available: Winter Park, FL services + Florida telehealth options
• Website: https://www.linettewilliamsonmd.com/