The colon cleansing products that proliferate on the Internet or that you see promoted by infomercials aren't exactly conceptually new. The idea of auto-intoxication being cured with colon cleansing was the rage among turn-of-the-century Americans, who turned to dubious medical practitioners like Dr. James Kellogg and his invasive techniques to "colon cleanse." The truth about cleansing the colon is that your intestines perform this task efficiently without need for extra help.
Autointoxication
Auto-intoxication is the theory that when you eat certain foods, they linger in the intestines too long, explains Dr. Stephen M. Barrett of the National Council for Health Fraud. Purportedly the back-up in your bowel releases toxins and other poisons into your body. The infamous Dr. Kellogg was an ardent promoter of bowel cleansing and "detoxification," according to the Cleveland Clinic, although his methods were more invasive and sometimes involved surgical techniques. Research disproved auto-intoxication by the early 1900s, and Kellogg's methods and theories were frowned on by the American Medical Association. Colon cleansing was well out of vogue by the 1920s and 1930s; however, it has made a resurgence in the 21st century.
Colon Cleansing Products
Colon cleansing is suggested in a variety of ways. It might include fasting, which purportedly eliminates toxins, says Dr. Barrett, natural laxatives or colonic irrigation, in which a rubber tube is placed in the rectum and waste washed out with warm water. Herbal supplements, coffees and botanical extracts might be added to the water. Consumer items are a big sell, particularly "all natural" colon cleansing products that contain a blend of herbs and fibers, none of which is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, points out the Cleveland Clinic. The marketing claims made for these products, be it for weight loss or general health purposes, are entirely unsubstantiated.
The Facts About Your Colon
The digestive process occurs in your small intestine, during which nutrients are absorbed, says Dr. Barrett. The remaining waste moves into the large intestine, which is some 40-inches long. The task of the large intestine is to remove extra waste through the rectum, as well as to absorb water and minerals. Defecation is the process by which this waste is removed, and bowel movements vary widely, depending on the individual. Dr. Barrett states that some people have bowel movements every day, while some go for days without one but suffer no ill effects. Also, according to the Cleveland Clinic, what marketers and proponents of colon cleansing won't tell you is that you won't lose weight, either–your body absorbs almost all of the calories before they get to the large intestine.
Parasites and More
Marketers of herbal colon cleansers often throw an added enticement into the mix by persuading consumers that they need to get rid of supposed parasites. However, the claim that "everyone has a parasite" is grossly overstated, as parasitic infections of this nature are atypical of the average healthy human. Parasitic diseases, such as tapeworms, pin worms and Giradia lamblia, do exist, writes Karen Schneider for the American Council on Science and Health, but parasites aren't limited to your bowels. Malaria, for example, is blood-borne; T. vaginalis is transmitted sexually; and head, body and pubic lice have no connection to the colon. If you think you might have an intestinal parasite, see your doctor so your fecal matter can be tested. Don't self-treat with a parasite colon cleansing product.
Be a Smart Consumer
There's no scientific evidence to suggest colon cleansing is good for you, but there is much evidence that it can cause you harm, warns the Cleveland Clinic. Bowel irrigation devices can result in perforation of the colon. Herbal cleansing supplements that purport to be "natural" aren't necessary safe, says Schneider. Side effects can include bloating, cramping, dehydration, changes in blood sugar levels, and even heart and kidney problems–perhaps even death. Dr. Barrett cites a number of marketers and practitioners who have been taken to task by the FDA for making unsubstantiated health claims related to their products and treatments. If you want the truth about colon cleansing or have problems with chronic constipation, speak with your treating physician.
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