Colon Cleanse To Prevent Disease

The abundance of misinformation on the Internet may have you wondering if you need a colon cleanse to prevent diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, high blood pressure and osteoarthritis. Colon cleansing techniques such as colonics and enemas, as well as special diets and herbal supplements, are touted as a way to protect and enhance your health, as well as to lose weight. However, MayoClinic.com states that there's little scientific evidence to suggest that cleansing your colon is useful for any purpose.

Background

Colon cleansing was just as popular thousands of years ago as it is today. According to an August 1989 article published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, researchers at the East Orange Veterans Administration Medical Center trace colon cleansing back to the theory of intestinal autointoxication that dates back to the time of the ancient Egyptians. Egyptian physicians believed that food putrified in the bowels, releasing poisons into the bloodstream. Similarly, the ancient Greeks believed not only intestinal autointoxication, but that the residues of bile, phlegm and blood were the cause of disease. The doctrine of intestinal autointoxication persisted until the 1920s, when advances in medicine failed to produce scientific evidence to support it. Researchers go on to state that "the idea [of intestinal autointoxication] persists in the public mind, probably as an extension of the childhood habit of toilet training."

Modern Colon Cleansing

The contemporary colon cleanse is closely derived from the above-mentioned doctrines, with products and diets purporting to remove toxins from your blood that can cause serious health problems. Homeopathic or herbal intestinal "cleansers" may even purport to eliminate mythical "parasites" that inhabit your bowels, states the National Council Against Health Fraud. Some colon cleanse marketers, such as the 7 Day Miracle Cleanse Program, have been taken to task by the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, for making unsubstantiated claims about their products. Colon cleansing supplements are defined as dietary supplements by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products cannot purport to cure, treat or prevent disease or give you specific health benefits, notes the FTC.

Other Cautions

Colon cleansing products that are made up of natural herbs and dietary fiber probably won't harm you, says Stephen Barrett, M.D,. of the National Council Against Health Fraud, although they can make a dent in your pocketbook. Many of the colon cleansing products cause the people who use them to expel an extraordinary amount of waste in a suspicious colon-shaped configuration -- however, this is most likely the result of the fiber in the cleansing product, which molds itself to the intestinal walls. On the other hand, colon cleansing using colonic irrigation, either through professional services or self-administered treatment, can be dangerous, causing infection and perforation of the bowels. Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist Michael Picco states that dehydration is also a potential side effect of colon cleansing. Certain laxatives, he says, may contain sodium phosphate, which is not advised for people with heart or kidney disease.

When Appropriate

Your bowels get rid of waste naturally without the need of a colon cleansing technique or product, says Picco -- which is why doctors don't recommend a colon cleanse to prevent disease or "detox" or "cleanse" your system. Picco indicates that the only time colon cleansing is appropriate is prior to an endoscopic examination. The FDA classifies colonic irrigation systems used for this purpose as medical devices that cannot be marketed and sold to the consumer public, Barrett states.

A Healthy Colon

The American Association of Family Physicians, or AAFP, urges you not to believe ads that insist that you must have a bowel movement every day to stay healthy. Bowel movements of three times a day to three times a week are considered within the range of normal. If you experience less frequent bowel movements than you did before, you may have constipation. The AAFP advises simply increasing your dietary fiber intake. Eat between two to four servings of fruit and three to five servings of vegetables each day and drink plenty of water. Avoid using laxatives, except bulk-forming laxatives like oat bran, psyllium, polycarbophil and methylcellulose.