Many colon-cleansing products combine chemical stimulants, herbs and fiber to cleanse the digestive tract. Most products use chemicals and herbs that are laxative, causing the intestines to increase the speed that waste travels through the digestive tract; some include the addition of fiber to speed evacuation. Adding additional fiber can increase the amount of bulk in the colon and cause several uncomfortable side effects.
Cramping
Because colon cleansers often contain stimulant laxatives, intestinal cramping can occur. According to the Mayo Clinic, stimulant laxatives cause the muscles in the digestive tract to contract, which can cause cramping. People with irritable bowel syndrome, IBS, may experience more pain during these contractions. Stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl, castor oil and senna leaf.
Combining bulk-forming laxatives or fiber with stimulant laxatives may help reduce or eliminate painful cramping by exerting mild pressure against the inside of the intestinal walls, which can ease contractions. If the colon-cleansing product already contains fiber, adding additional fiber can increase cramping.
Diarrhea
According to a fact sheet put out by the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), adding too much fiber too fast can result in diarrhea. Diarrhea is defined by MedicineNet.com as, "unusually frequent or unusually liquid bowel movements, excessive watery evacuations of fecal material." While colon cleansing, especially those required for colon examinations, often results in frequent, liquid bowel movements, the intensity, urgency and explosiveness can increase when adding additional fiber to a colon cleanser that already contains bulk-forming fiber.
Intestinal Gas
UCLA's fact sheet recommends increasing fiber slowly and staying hydrated to avoid intestinal gas, which can occur when using a colon cleansing product and additional fiber. MedicineNet.com states that some fiber can lead to an increase in intestinal gas because gas-producing bacteria feed on the fiber. Laxatives that speed the movement of food into the colon can also result in an increase in gas due to the addition of undigested food available to gas-producing bacteria in the large intestine.
Intestinal Blockage & Dehydration
The American Cancer Society cautions against adding too much fiber to the diet too quickly. It recommends drinking adequate amounts of liquids when supplementing with fiber, especially psyllium and other hyperosmotic fibers since it can swell and cause blockage to the throat, esophagus and intestines. Because hyperosmotic fiber works by drawing fluid into the intestines, the overuse of these supplements can also lead to dehydration or an imbalance of electrolytes.
Member Comments