As food moves through your digestive tract, your body breaks it down into usable nutrients. The digestive system ends in your colon, a section of the large intestine that removes excess water from food. The colon contains millions of bacteria that help your digestive system function properly. Some people perform colon cleanses to clear excess waste from their digestive tracts. This practice can be dangerous, so talk to your doctor before beginning a cleanse.
Medical Use
Certain medical procedures require you to cleanse your colon of residual waste. Before getting a colonoscopy, doctors ask you to avoid solid food for one day before the procedure. Some people also take a laxative medication before the examination to clear their colons of waste. Constipation and other medical conditions may cause a doctor to recommend that you eat a high-fiber diet, drink more fluids or take a laxative to clear excess waste from your colon. These techniques differ from the colon cleansing procedures advised by some in alternative medicine.
Alternative Medicine
Some alternative medicine practitioners recommend that adults cleanse their colons through dietary changes, herbal remedies or colonic irrigation. The theory behind colon cleansing is that pesticides, hormones, food additives and other chemicals build up in your digestive tract. Colon cleanse proponents claim that these toxins cause fatigue, weight gain, sluggishness and immune system problems. Undertaking a colon cleanse removes excess waste from your digestive system and sweeps away dangerous toxins, according to the website Colon Cleanse Information.
Features
Colon cleanse proponents employ several techniques to remove materials from the colon. Some colon cleanse plans require you to follow a diet of fruits and vegetables, homemade juices or other non-processed foods. People undergoing a colon cleanse sometimes use psyllium husks, bentonite, licorice root, dandelion or fennel seed to stimulate frequent bowel movements. An alternative to diet alterations and herbal remedies is colonic irrigation. In this procedure, an alternative medicine practitioner inserts a tube into your rectum and flushes your colon with warm water. Waste from your colon exits your body through the tube.
Warning
The health claims of colon cleanse proponents may sound compelling, but they are not supported by scientific evidence, according to Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist Michael Picco. Although chemicals may enter your body, your digestive system naturally neutralizes and eliminates dangerous toxins. Colon cleanse procedures may cause dehydration, bowel perforations, infections and other health problems. Talk to your physician before performing a colon cleanse to determine if it is a safe choice for you.
References
- Mayo Clinic; Colon Cleansing: Is It Helpful or Harmful?; Michael Picco
- Colon Cleanse Guide: Best Herbs for Colon Cleansing
- United Kingdom National Health Service: What is Colonic Irrigation?
- Colon Cleanse Information: Colon Cleanse Benefits -- Powerful and Amazing
- Just Cleansing: How Does Colon Cleansing Work?
- Southern Illinois University: Normal Flora
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