If you're preparing to diet or feeling unwell, a colon cleanse may sound like a beneficial treatment to get you back on the right track. Recommended as part of some diets, a bowel detoxification purports to remove harmful substances from your intestine and improve your body's related functions. This has not been scientifically established, so a bowel detox diet or treatment should be approached with caution.
Basics
In theory, a cleanse rids your body of toxins, purifying it, while also preparing it for dieting. A colon or bowel cleanse, in particular, focuses on the large intestine. These cleanses claim to sweep away toxins and poisons such as detrimental bacteria from the large intestine, removing the sources of illness ranging from colon cancer to yeast, bladder and kidney infections, according to Alive.com. Some popular diets include a bowel cleanse.
Soluble Fiber
According to Alive.com, the best colon-cleansing diets will be very high in plant-based foods, which are high in fiber and contain chlorophyll. Fiber is nondigestible and helps clear out foods from the colon, especially in combination with fluids like water. Two types of fiber are beneficial: soluble, which dissolves in water, and insoluble. Soluble fiber is found in foods such as whole wheat, cabbage, beets, carrots, Brussels sprouts, turnips and cauliflower.
Insoluble Fiber
Insoluble fiber helps improve elimination and relieve constipation, according to Alive.com. Foods high in insoluble fiber include beans, peas, rice, barley, strawberries, citrus and apples. Flaxseeds and oats are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. To consume enough fiber, 20 to 35 g, five or more servings of fruits or vegetables, and six or more servings of whole grains are recommended per day. Chlorophyll supposedly helps heal irritation in the digestive tract.
Warnings
Michael Picco, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic, warns that scientific evidence neither supports nor refutes the efficacy of colon-cleansing treatments or diets in improving overall health or helping improve certain diseases. The body's intestines naturally clear themselves of waste and bacteria, making cleanses unnecessary and even perhaps dangerous, increasing risk of dehydration along with risk for electrolyte imbalance if laxatives are included in the diet.
Recommendations
Before colon cleansing, Picco recommends taking a number of precautions. Check with your doctor and have the procedure or diet cleared as safe for you. Also check with the colon-cleanse provider to ensure that any equipment used is disposable and not previously used, and obtain a list of any herbal supplements you might be using, so your doctor can ensure they will not interact with your medications. Also, drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
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