Some natural health advocates claim that periodic detoxification is necessary to maintain colon health and reduce the risk of disease from the accumulation of toxins, parasites and bacteria. In addition, some colon cleansing marketing campaigns directly link colon health with weight loss. While there is little evidence that colon cleansing actually promotes weight loss, a relationship between general colon health and the risk for obesity has been established.
Detoxification Theory
The ancient Egyptians and Greeks first introduced the idea that waste materials collect and stagnate in the colon. This theory of "autointoxication" persisted for centuries, but was largely discredited in the mid-1900s. According to the American Cancer Society, there is no evidence-based proof that waste accumulates in the colon and produces toxicity. However, the practice of colon detoxification was resurrected by alternative medicine practitioners and expanded to include the benefit of weight loss.
Mechanical Applications
One of the ways colon health is encouraged is through physical cleansing, also known as colonic irrigation or colon hydrotherapy. This typically involves some kind of apparatus to inject water into the colon, a procedure commonly known as an enema. Certainly, emptying the colon may make you feel lighter, but it is not likely to amount to weight loss beyond a few ounces of fluid.
Dietary Measures
Herbal supplements are widely endorsed as a route to colon health and weight loss. The inherent problem with these products is that they are not regulated. Likewise, there is no regulatory definition for the term "all natural." This means that manufacturers are not required to disclose all of the ingredients or their source, so their potency and safety cannot be guaranteed.
Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist Michael Picco, M.D. says that the colon is capable of eliminating waste materials without the aid of colonics, whether manual or dietary. However, increasing your intake of fiber can promote both colon health and complement weight loss, as well as provide other health benefits.
Obesity Connection
Although evidence that improving colon health results in weight loss is lacking, data that links colon health with obesity does exist. In August 2010, Chilean scientists found that when the colons of mice were colonized with certain bacteria, body mass increased 60 percent. The study team also discovered that the storage of fat in adipose cells increased, but the scenario was reversed with the introduction of probiotics to stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon. Previously, researchers at the Mayo Clinic also found that gut bacteria influences body weight as well as nutrient absorption. However, both of these studies support the modification of colon bacteria to reduce obesity by decreasing the intake of calories and fat. This is significantly different from simply purging the colon of its contents.
Safety Considerations
Picco cautions that excessive colon cleansing can interfere with nutrient absorption, as well as create a dependency on colonics in order to eliminate. The frequent use of enemas is also associated with an increased risk of heart disease and dehydration due to the depletion of salts and electrolytes. It should also be noted that many herbs touted for colon health produce side effects and interact with prescription medications. Finally, the American Cancer Society says that any form of colon therapy is not appropriate if you have a history of kidney or heart disease, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. If you need to lose weight, or are concerned about colon health, ask your physician or a nutritionist to help you devise a sensible dietary plan.
References
- Journals.llw.com: Origin of the So-called Auto-Intoxication Symptom
- Cancer.org: Colon Therapy
- MayoClinic.com: Colon Cleansing: Is it Helpful or Harmful?
- "Revista medica de Chile"; [The Association of Intestinal Microbiota with Obesity]; Morales P et al.; 2010
- "Mayo Clinic Proceedings"; Gut Microbiota and its Possible Relationship with Obesity; DiBaise JK et al.; 2008
