What is a Colon Cleanse?

Colon cleansing is the process of removing feces and toxins from your intestinal tract and colon. The colon is manipulated to cause the expelling of all its contents. The colon is your large intestine. The act of colon cleansing has been around for centuries all the way back to Greece and Egypt in ancient times. There was a time during the early 20th Century that colon cleansing was popular, but the practice fell out of favor and basically unheard of until the beginning of the 21st Century.

The true fact of the matter is there has never been any “scientific” proof that colon cleansing is more effective at flushing out toxins from you system than normal bowel movements. The jury also remains out on exactly what toxins are harmful and what maladies they inflict upon us. That being said, there is still strong logic behind the belief that it is reasonable to believe that if we help our system flush toxins more effectively and efficiently than normal processes, we will feel better and be healthier.
If you do consider colon cleansing, you need to know what methods you can utilize. Colon cleansing can be accomplished by taking oral regimens such as laxatives, dietary supplements, or herbs. The second method of colon cleansing is utilizing colon hydrotherapy. This procedure is sometimes referred to as colonic irrigation, or colonic. Colonic irrigation is a procedure similar to an enema, but is performed by a qualified practitioner.

Oral regimens for colon cleansing are extremely prevalent. Pharmacies, health food stores, and even supermarket shelves usually stock a wide variety of products. Some of the products you can choose from are: powders, laxatives, and anti-parasitic capsules. The products are excellent initiators of the process to induce the complete expelling of the contents of your colon (colon cleansing). Some people do not like the thought of using drugs in their system and more natural oral methods have gained popularity. You will find strong herbal teas and natural enzymes capsules touting their “drug free” qualities. Drugs, herbs, and natural ingredients will accomplish complete colon cleansing. You should consider the possible side effects.

Oral regimens for colon cleansing may cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, and vomiting. Dizziness is a possible side effect. You body may also produce strings of mucus as a bad side effect. Your body may be acting as if your colon cleansing ingredient is a toxin. If any of these symptoms develop, you should stop using the colon cleansing product. You should also be aware of the fact that just because you choose “natural” products does not mean that you cannot reap harmful side effects. Some herbs cause serious harmful interactions with medications that you are currently taking.

Colonic irrigation should be performed by a certified colonic practitioner. The process consists of a tube being inserted into your rectum and your colon is filled with water. Sometimes the water has additives such as herbs. The water is then removed from your colon with another tube to remove all the feces and toxins. There are a couple of dangers involved with colonic irrigation. There is the possibility of bowel perforation which could lead to serious infection. Another possible side effect is dehydration.
A final word of caution is to avoid continuous overuse of any method of colon cleansing. Overuse of either oral regimens or colonic irrigation can lead to: electrolyte imbalances, mineral depletion, malnutrition, anemia, and the loss of the ability to defecate without aid. Moderation in use is a definite goal when utilizing colon cleansing.

Colon cleansing advocates boast of the effectiveness of the procedure to: boost your energy; help you lose weight; enhance your immune system; reduce your colon cancer risks; and even improve your mental health or outlook. Beware of false and over-inflated predictions of results. Also, consult your physician before beginning colon cleansing – especially if you are on medications such as heart medication. Finally, do not overuse the process.

More About Cleansing

There are many colon cleanse products on the marketplace. Be sure to find the right colon cleanser that addresses both deep cleansing using natural fiber, and additionaly provides detox using safe herbs.

All in all, the best colon cleanse should be a safe and natural to avoid problematic side effects and to to not disrupt the nature balance of the body. Additionally colon cleansing should be done periodically, and not ongoing.

Resources:

Web MD - WebMD informational article on colon cleansing, benefits and considerations.