Efficacy
Colon cleanses--also termed colon therapy, colonic irrigation, enema irrigation or detoxification therapy--are promoted as ways to eliminate toxins and other accumulated waste from the body. According to the American Cancer Society, however, there is no scientific evidence to support the use of colon cleansing therapies. In fact, most of the digestion process is in the small intestine. After the nutrients have been absorbed into the body, the rest is moved into the large intestine. There is no evidence that supports the idea that toxins become built up in the colon. Rather than effectively treating colon cancer and other diseases, a colon cleanse can cause infection and lead to death.
Basics
A colon cleanse is a process that utilizes water, herbs, enzymes, coffee, fiber or other substances to clean out the large intestine. A colon therapist typically is used to perform the procedure. Tubes are inserted into the rectum and used to pump large quantities of fluid into the colon. The colon is filled with the fluid, and the therapist massages the abdomen to loosen stuck material. The fluid and the waste then are pumped out through another tube. The procedure is repeated a number of times.
Alternatives
Many other forms of colon cleansing can be performed at home by patients. Shakes and other drinks are available over the counter for patients to drink that will move bowels. Proponents of colon cleansing at the Colon Cleansing Zone report that most products require patients to drink a fiber-rich shake once a day, gradually increasing doses to three to five per day. The regimen usually is supposed to be followed for two to four weeks. Popular colon cleansers on the market that are used for cleansing are OxyPowder, Colonix and Dual Action Cleanse.
Risks
Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that the body does not need pills, herbs, enemas or other colon cleansing procedures to clean out the colon. Though colon cleansing is incorporated to clean the colon before a colonoscopy, the risks outweigh the benefits of performing a colon cleanse at any other time. Possible side effects of colon cleansing include dehydration and a rise in electrolytes, often a result of cleansers made with sodium phosphates. Those with kidney or heart disease could be seriously compromised by rising electrolyte levels.
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