Your colon, also known as the large intestine, is the last part of your body's digestive system, according to MedlinePlus the National Institutes of Health's medical information website. The colon is long and hollow, and your body makes and stores stool inside of it. Some people believe that waste material collects inside of this tubular structure and needs to be cleansed periodically to remove toxins and fecal buildup.
Automatic Cleansing
The simplest way to cleanse your colon is to let it do its job without any intervention, according to Dr. Michael Picco, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist. Your digestive system and bowel continuously remove waste products and bacteria from the body. Material gets flushed out after a maximum of three days, so additional cleansing is not medically necessary, and bacteria is a vital component of the digestive process.
Other Methods
There are two simple colon cleansing options for people who believe they need to remove trapped waste material. Colonic irrigation involves an enema administered by a professional who inserts a rubber tube into the rectum and pumps in water. The process is done in an office setting and is completed in one visit. Natural food stores sell over-the-counter colon cleansing products with a laxative effect. These products are easy to use at home and appear to be effective because many users pass what appears to be large stools, although a 2008 "Los Angeles Times" article reports that the material is actually gel formed by the product.
Self-Care
You can maintain a clean, healthy colon with simple self-care. Fight constipation with a fiber-rich diet, regular exercise and a high intake of water and other fluids before taking laxatives or colon cleansing products, Picco advises. A diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts and legumes is especially good for your colon. Fiber helps prevent diverticular disease, a condition in which the colon develops small pouches, according to MayoClinic.com.
Warning
Some colon cleansing methods may be simple, but they can still be dangerous because they draw fluid into the colon, taking it from surrounding tissues that need it, according to Dr. Douglas Pleskow, a Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center gastroenterologist. Cleansing can cause dehydration and disrupt your electrolyte balance, affecting the body's potassium, sodium, calcium, chloride, magnesium and phosphorus levels. Colonic irrigation is an infection risk if the equipment is not sanitary, according to Dr. Steve Barrett of the Quackwatch website, and it sometimes causes pain and cramping during the treatment.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Consumer Health; Colon Cleansing, Is It Helpful or Harmful?; Michael Picco; March 2011
- MedlinePlus: Colonic Diseases
- "Los Angeles Times"; Beware of Colon Cleansing Claims; Judy Foreman; June 2008
- Quackwatch; Gastrointestinal Quackery, Colonics, Laxatives, and More; Stephen Barrett; August 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Dietary Fiber, Essential for a Healthy Diet; November 2009
Member Comments