Your colon, also known as your large intestine, is responsible for compacting fecal material and secreting waste products from your body. Colon cleanses are a set of treatments that aim to flush out the colon. The theory behind cleansing is that it will flush out toxins and other harmful substances from your body. Except in certain situations, colon cleansing is not generally accepted by the medical community as a necessary practice.
Colon Cleanse Overview
The basic purpose of a colon cleanse is to clean out the colon and remove substances, such as fecal material and waste products. Proponents of colon cleanses believe that the colon often stores toxins and other harmful substances that contribute to diseases such as arthritis, asthma and allergies, MayoClinic.com explains. Some people believe that colon cleanses can also remove intestinal parasites that can cause symptoms such as constipation, gas, bloating, fatigue, nervousness and itching, the American Council on Science and Health reports.
Techniques
Some forms of colon cleansing involve an enema. With an enema, a tube is put into the rectal canal and a liquid is passed through the tube and into the colon. The liquid is then expelled from the colon a few minutes later, MayoClinic.org states, taking with it waste products. Herbal concoctions, often made of liquids, may also be swallowed to purge the colon of its contents; these cleanses usually involve consuming laxatives.
Effects
In general, colon cleanses do not provide any benefit to the body. The body and the digestive tract are able to expel waste products efficiently through fecal matter and do not generally require any assistance. Colon cleanses can be harmful, because regular colon cleansing can allow the muscles that normally push fecal matter out of the colon to become weak, forcing the practitioner to rely on cleanses to avoid constipation, MayoClinic.org notes. Regular laxative use may also cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
Uses
In some cases, a colon cleanse can help relieve cases of chronic constipation, though increasing the fiber in your diet and consuming more water is often equally effective. Colon cleansing, as prescribed by your doctor, is important if you are going to have a colonoscopy or a colon X-ray, MayoClinic.org states, as these medical procedures need your colon to be free of extraneous material to properly visualize your colon tissue.
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