With the ever-increasing prevalence of obesity, many people are looking for a "magic pill" that will help them lose weight. In some cases, people turn to colon cleansing in the belief that flushing out impacted fecal matter and toxin buildup will trigger rapid weight loss without extra efforts, like exercise and the maintenance of a sensible diet, needing to be made. Bowtrol is an herbal colon cleansing pill that promises a variety of results, including weight loss.
Bowtrol
Bowtrol's herbal formula contains aloe, senna, peppermint and bentonite clay, which the manufacturer claims will result in a "flatter stomach and waist line" by cleansing "your entire system." According to the Bowtrol website, your system is "bombarded with toxins" everyday, which Bowtrol's proprietary herbal blend will flush out, resulting in weight loss. The capsules even come with a 30-day guarantee, the parameters of which are not spelled out on the website.
Ingredients
Taking Bowtrol will most likely result in a bowel movement. Aloe and senna, two of its advertised ingredients, are powerful herbal laxatives. Peppermint acts as an intestinal soother, and bentonite is known as a "powerful digestive cleanser." According to Healing Daily, bentonite clay's particle structure includes a negative charge on the flat surface and a positive charge on the edges; proponents believe that the particles use their charges to trap toxins on the particular level. Healing Daily also notes that bentonite clay is known for its stool-binding capabilities, which helps fecal matter stick together to form a solid stool instead of diarrhea.
The Colon
The colon is another name for the large intestine, whose job it is to absorb salt and water from the stools and pass them. According to Dr. Michael Picco of the Mayo Clinic, the colon doesn't need any help with this process, it just does this naturally. The only exceptions are patients who are about to undergo a colonoscopy, as they need their colons to be empty for a specific time and often can't wait for nature to take its course. According to Live Science, the colon has been explored surgically many times over the years, and no evidence has been found to suggest that fecal matter builds up or becomes impacted along the colon's lining.
Possible Weight Loss
Taking Bowtrol may cause you to lose a pound or two if you've been constipated, but it will not cause real or lasting weight loss. The promises of a flatter stomach may very well be true, because constipation can cause bloating and gas that will dissipate after you have a bowel movement. Any laxative can help with that, however, even those that don't claim to be cleansers or detoxifiers.
Cautions
Dr. Picco recommends caution when using a colon cleanser. Discuss using the cleanser with your doctor first, and bring him the cleanser's list of ingredients so that he can make sure that the herbal blend will not interfere with any medication you are taking or aggravate a medical condition. Colon cleansers can dehydrate you, so drink plenty of water during the treatment. Finally, even the makers of Bowtrol acknowledge colon cleansing to be a treatment, not a life-long supplement. The extended use of laxatives can cause the muscular contractions of the large intestine to weaken, causing a dependence on the pills for normal bowel movements.
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