Colon Cleansing Information
Colon cleansing has become a popular topic in modern health. Supporters of the process claim that cleansing the colon is imperative to maintaining good health and preventing various diseases and illnesses, including obesity, colon cancer and chronic constipation. There are hundreds of products on the market designed to cleanse the colon. However, many health professionals feel that the procedure is unnecessary and could cause more harm than good.
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Toxins
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The colon is a tube that moves solid waste from the small intestine to the rectum. After the small intestine absorbs all the nutrients from food, the remaining material is passed to the large intestine where water is absorbed. Solid waste then moves through the colon, where water and toxins are absorbed. Colon cleansing is meant to clean the colon of these absorbed toxins found in food and the environment. Supporters of colon cleansing believe that the average American diet (high in proteins and fatty foods, sugars, and other carbohydrates) weakens the colon's ability to process and absorb food quickly. The toxins and other harmful substances that are absorbed may cause degenerative health issues over time.
The Process
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The process of colon cleansing takes about four to eight weeks depending upon your age, diet and other health issues. Before beginning any type of health-related procedure, confirm the safety of the procedure with your doctor. Since colon cleansing flushes away bacteria that is beneficial as well as harmful, it is important to make sure that you have access to probiotics (the healthy bacteria that the body needs) to take during the colon cleansing. See Resources for probiotic suppliers, most of which can be purchased at health food and supplement stores. Before cleansing your colon, stop taking unnecessary medication such as vitamins and nutritional supplements. Again, you should consult a doctor if any of your supplements are part of a regiment implemented by your health care professional. Next, purchase some bentonite clay or activated charcoal, along with psyllium husks. Bentonite clay absorbs toxins from the intestinal tract while psyllium husks promote healthy bowel functioning. Psyllium and activated charcoal can be found in most health food stores, but bentonite clay can be a little more difficult to find (see Resources). Mix one tablespoon of psyllium husks and bentonite clay (also called a "P and B shake") into a full glass of water. On the first day of the process, drink a full glass of the mixture followed by another glass of water two hours before or after eating. Do not drink the mixture during a meal. On the second and third day, drink one glass of the mixture two hours before or after eating. On the fourth and fifth days, drink the mixture twice a day in the morning and before bed. On the sixth day drink the P and B shake three times during the day. On days 7 through 14 drink the mixture four to five times a day. Continue drinking the mixture four to five times a day until you feel your colon is cleansed.
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Diet
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While on the above colon cleansing regimen, try to eat as much healthy food as possible, including leafy greens and other vegetables such as wheatgrass and spirulina; high fiber foods like whole wheat, barley, and brown rice; and fruits, nuts, and yogurt. Drink plenty of water during the colon cleansing, as the process can cause dehydration. Also avoid diuretics like coffee and alcohol.
Warnings
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While supporters of the colon cleaning procedures believe the process to be beneficial, many health professionals argue that it is unnecessary. Although the colon does absorb a large amount of toxins from food and the environment, many doctors think that the colon naturally removes these toxins from the body during elimination. Also, the process of cleaning the colon can cause dehydration which can cause a number of serious health problems. Colon cleansing also attacks the bacteria in the digestive tract, which can cause further digestive problems.
Alternatives
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If colon cleansing seems like too severe a procedure, there are alternatives to properly cleansing the body of toxins. The best and most effective way is to make healthy changes to your diet. A diet high in fiber will alleviate a number of digestive problems such as constipation, bloating and gas. Eating more vegetables and fruits is a great way to hydrate the body as well as provide it with important nutrients. Fruits and vegetables also help maintain digestive health by helping the body eliminate waste. Drinking plenty of water can also help flush toxins from the body. Drinking eight to ten glasses of water a day can also improve your health, mood and mental concentration.
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