Colon cleansers are used to "clean" your colon. The belief is that your colon holds toxins and pollutants that can contribute to a variety of illnesses and diseases. By cleansing your colon, you obviously remove these toxins from the body, which then strengthens your immune system and improves your overall health. However, there's no scientific evidence to support this concept; in fact it has been disproven for years. Further, the process of artificial colon cleansing itself may hold dangers to your health. The purpose of your colon is to remove the waste from your body; if you're healthy it doesn't need any artificial help. A diet high in fiber and regular exercise are the best colon cleansers.
Dehydration
Dehydration is one potential danger of using a colon cleanser, warns the Mayo Clinic. In addition to passing waste, the colon functions to absorb water and minerals. Colon cleansers typically increase the rate you pass stool, which reduces the amount of liquid absorbed in your intestinal tract. And much like having diarrhea, you can lose a great deal of water this way, eventually leading to dehydration and nutritional deficits.
Electrolyte Imbalance
Sometimes using a colon cleanser can disrupt the balance of electrolytes in your body. Electrolytes are minerals responsible for maintaining proper blood pH, water levels and muscle function, notes the National Institutes of Health. An imbalance can contribute to abnormal heart rhythms, muscle weakness, confusion, drowsiness, seizures and coma. The Mayo Clinic asserts that this imbalance is also problematic for people with kidney and heart disease.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Gastrointestinal issues can potentially accompany colon cleanser use. Cleansing products that contain stimulant laxatives like senna can increase the contraction rate of your intestinal muscles, which can prompt diarrhea, cramping and pain, cautions the National Institutes of Health. It may also result in nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Colon cleansers with senna powder can even irritate your intestinal walls to the point of bleeding, which causes dizziness, weakness and fatigue.
Physical Dependency
Colon cleansers containing a stimulant laxative can lead to dependency, especially with long-term use. Your body becomes so accustomed to the cleanser that it has a difficult time moving the bowels without it. This leads to constipation, which may cause you to start taking the colon cleansing product again.
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