Along with the flat belly diet ads, advertisements for getting your colon irrigated (or cleaned) have been plastered all over the Internet, in print copy, and in late, late night television. But are these colon cleaners really necessary? According to WebMD, the jury is still out.
What are Colon Cleaners?
Colon cleansing is a procedure that is used in an attempt to remove fecal waste from the colon and along with it toxins from the intestinal tract.
Types
There are two main ways to clean your colon. One is to purchase colon cleaner products and clean your colon yourself. Products are either powder or liquid and are taken either orally or through the rectum. The products have properties to force the contents of the colon to be expelled. These products typically include enemas, laxative, powders, certain types of herbal teas and anti parasite capsules.
The other method involves going to an colon irrigation specialist. The process is performed by a colon hygienist who uses a machine to pump upwards of 20 gallons of water throughout your rectum, which may or may not include the use of herbs, probiotics, enzymes and sometimes even coffee. The therapist then massages the abdomen and flushes the colon when finished.
On the One Hand
The theory behind a colon cleanse is that toxins in certain foods build up in the intestinal tract, which causes poisoning in the body. Claims have been made that these toxins are responsible for symptoms such as low energy, fatigue, headache and even weight gain.
On the Other Hand
On the other hand, WebMD reports that is unlikely that colon cleaners are needed above and beyond regular bowel movements. One of the reasons for this belief includes that food wastes are naturally detoxified with the bacteria that lives in the colon. Second, the liver function has the ability to neutralize toxins. Third, the colon continuously sheds itself about every third day, so that build up is prevented. Fourth, unwanted toxins are prevented from entering the bloodstream by the mucus membranes in the colon.
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The Bottom Line
According to WebMD, there has been no real quality research to date to support whether or not a colon cleanse is necessary. In the meantime, there are things you can do to enhance colon health without using colon cleaners. These include increasing your daily intake of fiber (up to 20-35 grams per day) through eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, increasing your water intake, and increasing your intake of both insoluble fiber (whole grains and cereal) and soluble fiber (bran and oatmeal). Finally, get a colonoscopy beginning at age 50 or sooner as your doctor recommends.
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