Cleansing is an alternative health practice to remove toxins from the body. Proponents of the practice believe that toxins trapped in the gastrointestinal tract can cause health problems, such as fatigue, asthma, allergies and arthritis, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you do decide to undergo a cleansing treatment, you should first speak to your doctor.
Laxatives
Over-the-counter supplements are commonly used to help a person cleanse the colon. Many of the supplements contain laxatives that stimulate the bowels to eliminate waste from the colon. Psyllium husk is a common ingredient in colon-cleansing supplements. This high-fiber ingredient acts as a sponge and draws out water from the intestinal tract to help produce a bowel movement. You should avoid supplements that contain the laxative sodium phosphate, which may cause a rise in the electrolytes and prove dangerous for patients with kidney or heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Oxygen Colon-Cleansing Supplements
The Colon Cleansing and Constipation Resource Center recommends oxygen-based colon-cleansing treatment products since they purportedly remove fecal matter through an oxidation-reduction reaction. The magnesium oxide found in these supplements are said to convert solids into liquids and gas.
Colon Hydrotherapy
Colon hydrotherapy is a procedure performed at a spa that involves inserting a tube up the rectum to shoot water into the colon. The warm, filtered water is meant to loosen compacted fecal matter as a way to cleanse the intestinal tract.
Enemas
If you undergo a cleansing treatment, enemas may be part of the regimen. The enema is inserted into the rectum and removes fecal matter trapped in the lowest part of the colon, according to the Colon Cleansing and Constipation Resource Center. Examples of enemas that may be part of a cleansing treatment are clay enema, coffee enema and water enema.
