Your body's natural cleansing processes may make hydrotherapy, detoxification diets or other colon-cleansing procedures unnecessary. When you eat a high-fiber diet with adequate fluids, waste moves regularly through your gastrointestinal tract, purging bacteria and toxins. A healthy diet may prevent constipation, hemorrhoids and other gastrointestinal complications. Eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains may keep your digestive system healthy and prevent colorectal disease.
Purpose
Proponents of colon cleansing as a complementary therapy claim that colon-cleansing procedures, diets or herbal products support your health and prevent disease by removing toxins from the walls of your large intestine, or colon. However, your body performs its own cleansing process by removing toxins from your body in your feces. Beneficial bacteria in your colon break down digestive materials and help prevent gastrointestinal infections. Your intestinal lining secretes mucus that lubricates the walls of your colon and eases the passage of wastes. Frequent colon cleansing using artificial methods may disrupt your natural digestive activities and lead to health complications, according to the American Cancer Society, or ACS.
Cleansing Options
Colon cleansing may be performed through detoxification diets, herbal supplements or hydrotherapy, a treatment that involves injecting water into your colon through your anus. Some cleansing procedures involve a series of enemas using water, coffee or herbal preparations. Frequent colon cleansing using these methods may lead to dehydration and the loss of electrolytes. Detoxification diets to clean the colon may require a period of fasting to eliminate wastes from your intestines, followed by a diet limited to raw fruits and vegetables, juices and water. However, these restrictive diets do not meet your nutritional requirements and may cause dehydration, nausea, dizziness and fatigue.
Diet for Colon Health
Eating a diet rich in high-fiber foods helps maintain a clean colon and avoid constipation. The Institute of Medicine recommends that men under age 50 should eat 38 g of dietary fiber each day, and women under 50 should eat 25 g daily to maintain digestive health. After age 51, this amount decreases to 30 g of fiber for men and 21 g for women each day. A healthy diet includes sources of fiber and other complex carbohydrates, such as vegetables and fruits, whole-grain cereals and breads and dried beans. Skinless chicken breast, fish, lean beef, tofu, eggs, nuts, seeds and unsaturated vegetable oils provide protein and fats on a balanced eating plan.
Suggestions
If you've been eating a low-fiber diet, start by adding fiber to your diet gradually until you've worked up to the recommended daily intake. At the same time, drink at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water or other non-caffeinated liquids each day. Increasing the fiber in your diet without also increasing your fluid intake could cause constipation. Water and other fluids soften your stools and promote regular bowel movements. Getting regular physical exercise will also help regulate your bowel activity and facilitate the removal of wastes and toxins from your digestive tract.
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