Proponents of colon cleanses say they can rid your body of parasites and toxins, and maybe even cure certain health conditions. However, the evidence doesn't support these claims, and colon cleansing can have serious health consequences, depending on the type of colon cleansing you try.
Colon Cleanse Components
Some colon cleanses use colonic irrigation equipment; others have you follow a special detox diet, drink herbal preparations and take supplements or use enemas. Colonic irrigation involves flushing water through your colon. Colon cleansing diets include liquid diets or diets in which you only eat raw fruits or vegetables. These programs vary in cost from a few dollars for common ingredients from the grocery store to hundreds of dollars for special supplements and teas or colonic irrigation.
Necessity
Colon cleansing is meant to remove toxins, parasites and built-up excrement from your colon. However, your colon is made to clean itself, and you shouldn't need any extra procedures or special detox diets to achieve a healthy colon. The cells lining the colon actually replace themselves weekly, so any buildup or toxins stuck to the lining of your colon don't last long, says UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Risks
Colonic irrigation can cause infections if the equipment isn't properly sterilized, inserted and removed. If too much water gets absorbed by the colon during this process, it can even cause heart failure. Detox diets usually don't include enough calories, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. Other colon cleansing risks include dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, destruction of healthy bacteria, low blood pressure, salt depletion, damage to the wall of the colon, metabolic acidosis and impaired bowel function, says Harvard Medical School.
Recommendations
Rather than spending your money on unnecessary colon cleansing materials and putting your health at risk, stick to a diet high in fiber and low in saturated fat and drink plenty of water. Get plenty of sleep and exercise, and see your doctor if you don't feel well.
References
- Mayo Clinic; Colon Cleansing: Is it Helpful or Harmful?; Michael Picco, M.D.; Mar. 25, 2009
- Harvard Medical School; The Dubious Practice of Detox; July 22, 2008
- UT Southwestern Medical Center; Trendy Colon Cleansers May Do More Harm Than Good; LaKisha Ladson; February 2009
- Health Services at Columbia University; Colon Cleanse; Aug. 15, 2008
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