Colon cleansing products often come in prepackaged pill form, but some aficionados of the practice develop their own regimens with natural products such as psyllium and bentonite. As with any colon cleansing product, however, claims of their benefits are unsubstantiated and exaggerated. While they generally are safe, they also can cause health problems if used incorrectly.
Identification
Psyllium is a type of plant with seeds and husks used in medicines, particularly laxatives such as Metamucil. Bentonite is a gel derived from clays used in cosmetics, wine and as a laxative. Your body cannot digest these substances, and they absorb water and form a large mass as they move through your digestive tract. Once this mass reaches the large intestine, it can stimulate the bowels to move. This helps to move stool out of the digestive tract.
Function
Colon cleansing proponents suggest mixing psyllium and bentonite with liquids together to form shakes. Generally, you continue to drink the shakes over the course of several days. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, NMCD, suggests following up with 8 oz. of water for every 3 g to 5 g, between about 0.1 oz. and 0.2 oz., of the substances consumed.
Considerations
Proponents of colon cleansing with psyllium and bentonite claim a wide variety of benefits, including more energy, weight loss and less susceptibility to diseases. Like any colon cleansing method, these are not backed by scientific research. Psyllium alone, however, does have potential benefits outside of colon cleansing. Consuming 5 g of psyllium per day can lower your cholesterol between 3 percent and 14 percent, according to the Mayo Clinic. It also possibly is effective for lowering blood pressure, preventing colitis and managing irritable bowel syndrome, according to the NMCD.
Misconceptions
Despite psyllium's potential benefits, colon cleansing regimens that contain it and bentonite will do little for your health, according to Quackwatch's Stephen Barrett. Though its proponents claim it will remove toxins and impacted feces from your colon, these benefits have never been shown to exist. You might experience heavy bowel movements after a cleanse, but this is from your body removing the substance you ingested. With a high-fiber diet and regular exercise, your colon is perfectly capable of keeping itself clean.
Warning
The NMCD lists psyllium as "likely safe," and so long as you drink plenty of water to keep hydrated, trying a psyllium/bentonite colon cleanse should not cause any health problems. You might have allergies to the substances, however, so you should check with a doctor before attempting the cleanse. Additionally, some cleansing regimens include enemas or colonic irrigation, which can cause electrolyte imbalance, damage your intestines or, if the equipment is not sterile, cause an infection.
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