- 4 Possible Health Benefits
- Why do a colon cleanse? 4 Possible health benefits
- What Is It?
- What is colon cleansing?
- Safe and Side Effects
- Are colon cleansers safe?
- Natural Detoxification
- How your body naturally detoxifies itself
- Precautions
- Precautions to take during colon cleansing
- 9 Ways to Improve Colon Health
- How to improve your colon health
- Comments
- **COMMENTSTAGLIST**
- More
- **OTHERTAGLIST**
There are several ways to do colon cleansing at home, such as the following 10 home remedies.
- Water flush: Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is the simplest way to regulate digestion. Drinking six to eight glasses of lukewarm water per day is recommended for colon cleansing. Additionally, eating fresh fruits and vegetables high in water content like watermelon and tomatoes would be helpful.
- Saltwater flush:Mixing two teaspoons of sea salt or pink salt with lukewarm water and drinking it on an empty stomach is helpful. It stimulates colon movements within a few minutes. This may be done twice a day.
- High-fiber diet:Fiberis an essential nutrient present in whole, healthy plant foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, and more. Fibers help bulk up excess matter in the colon. They can regulate constipation and overactive bowels. They also boost helpful bacteria.
- Lemon water and honey:Mix fresh lemon juice, one teaspoon of honey, and a pinch of salt with warm water and drink on an empty stomach in the morning.
- Juices and smoothies:These include fruit and vegetablejuice fastsand cleanses. Juices made of apples, lemons, and aloe vera help in colon cleansing. They also contain nutrients that are beneficial to the body.
- Probiotics:Probiotics help to cleanse the colon and boost good bacteria in the gut. Foods like yogurt, pickles, apple cider vinegar, and other fermented foods are considered to be good probiotics.
- Herbal teas:Trying some herbal teas may assist digestive health via the colon. Laxative herbs likepsyllium,aloe vera, andmarshmallow root may help with constipation.
- Ginger:Ginger stimulates digestion. It can be added to other juices, tea, or eaten directly. One teaspoon of ginger juice and honey can be mixed with one cup of warm water. This can be consumed once or twice a day.
- Fish oil:Fish oils may be taken as supplements as well. They contain omega-3 fatty acids which are effective for colon cleansing.
- Fasting:Not eating anything is a method of colon cleansing. It helps the kidneys and liver eliminate harmful toxins from the body. Drinking water, fresh vegetable juices, or fresh fruit juices while fasting can help.
Why do a colon cleanse? 4 Possible health benefits
A colon cleanse is the act of flushing out or cleaning the large intestine. They may be performed by professionals called colonic hygienists.
Despite insufficient research to support its benefits, the goal of colon cleansing is to clear the colon of any stagnant, supposedly toxic waste encrusted on the walls of the large intestine.
4 Possible benefits of a colon cleanse
- Improved mental outlook
- Improved immune system
- Weight loss
- Reduced colon cancer risk
It may also be performed at home by taking certain oral substances.
What is colon cleansing?
Colon cleansing dates back to ancient times. It's recently become popular. But is it safe for you?
Your colon is also known as your large intestine or large bowel. Part of your digestive system breaks down food and moves waste to your rectum.
Colon cleansing is usually done to prepare for medical procedures such as a colonoscopy. But some alternative medicine practitioners say that colon cleansing can detoxify your body.
- Colon cleansing can be done using colon-cleansing products or colonic irrigation (colonic hydrotherapy).
- In colonic irrigation, up to 60 liters of fluid is pumped through your rectum via a tube. This is repeated several times. This is not like an enema, which runs a much smaller amount of fluid one time into your colon.
- A colon cleanse is also not the same as a colonoscopy. During a colonoscopy, your doctor examines your colon to check for abnormalities, and screens for colon cancer. A long, flexible tube called a colonoscope is inserted into your rectum. This contains a tiny camera so your doctor can see the inside of your colon.
Are colon cleansers safe?
Experts say there's little scientific research to show that colon cleansers work or are safe.
Colon cleansing products are less invasive than colonic irrigation. But even these colon cleansers are not safe.
They may have side effects such as:
- Abdominal pain
- Cramping
- Vomiting
- Electrolyte disorders
The FDA and Federal Trade Commission say that some colon cleansers are not safe for you. They have taken action against some companies selling cleansing and detox products. Some products have potentially harmful or illegal ingredients. Other products were marketed with false claims to cure serious diseases.
Colonic irrigation involves even more risks. If equipment isn’t sterilized properly, infections can pass from patient to patient.
Other risks and side effects include:
- Cramping
- Bloating
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Kidney failure
Some herbs used in colon cleanses have also been linked to liver toxicity and aplastic anemia.
There have also been case reports of serious complications such as:
- Air bubbles in artery or vein (air emboli)
- Inflammation of the colon's inner lining ( colitis)
- Pus-filled mass in your pelvis
- Tears in the rectum
- Deaths due to amebiasis, an infection of the intestines caused by a parasite
The FDA hasn’t approved any devices for non-medical colon cleansing. It also doesn’t regulate additives used for colon cleansing.
Colon cleansing is riskier in people with a history of:
- colon surgery
- severe hemorrhoids
- gastrointestinal disease
- heart disease
- kidney disease
Health News
- Another Study Finds CRISPR Gene Therapy Fights Sickle Cell
- Is Mom's Fish Intake During Pregnancy Linked to Juvenile Arthritis?
- Pandemic-Era Tax Credits Made Healthcare More Affordable, But They're Set to Expire
- Most Americans Believe Pandemic Policies Were Good Idea: Poll
- High Out-of-Pocket Costs Keep Some From Lifesaving Opioid Antidote
- More Health News »
How your body naturally detoxifies itself
Toxins can get into your body when you breathe, eat, drink, or through your skin. Toxins are also made in your body during metabolism.
These toxins are transformed and removed from your body when you:
- Sweat
- Urinate
- Defecate (pass stools)
- Breathe
Also, not all bacteria are bad. Your gastrointestinal system needs beneficial bacteria for digestion. Colon cleansing can disturb the balance of good bacteria and cause more problems down the road.
Precautions to take during colon cleansing
If you’re still interested in doing a colon cleanse, talk to your doctor about it. This is important if you have any health conditions or take medications.
Here are other precautions to take before a colon cleanse:
- Know what herbs and additives are used.
- Drink water before and after.
- If you’re doing colonic hydrotherapy, make sure your practitioner uses disposable equipment.
- Consider improving your colon health naturally instead
How to improve your colon health
Try these ways to improve your colon health instead:
- Drink plenty of water
- Eat five to nine servings of vegetables and fruit every day
- Eat a high-fiber diet to keep your bowels regular
- Eat berries, garlic, onions, leeks, green tea, and cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts and broccoli.
- Avoid red meat.
- Eat naturally fermented foods to boost your gut health. These include kimchi, yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut.
- Exercise regularly
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol. Tobacco and alcohol use has been linked to an increased risk of colon cancer.
- Get regular colonoscopies to identify and remove any precancerous polyps if you are at risk for colon cancer or are over 50 years old.
Medically Reviewed on 12/15/2022
References
Medscape Medical Reference
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; "What's the Deal with Detox Diets?"
American College of Gastroenterology: "Colonoscopy."
American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons: "The Colon: What it is, What it Does and Why it is Important."
The Journal of Family Practice: "The dangers of colon cleansing."
The Journal of Lancaster General Hospital: "Colon Cleansing: Medical Breakthrough or Myth?"
Keck Medicine of USC: "Is Colon Cleansing Dangerous?"
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: "Detoxes and Cleanses: What You Need To Know."
Top 10 Natural Remedies for Colon Cleansing Related Articles
- Can I Eat 24 Hours Before a Colonoscopy?Before a colonoscopy, you should avoid solid foods for at least 24 hours and stick to a clear liquid diet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ask your doctor about what you can have and when.
- Colon Cancer (Colorectal Cancer)Colon Cancer (Colorectal Cancer) is a malignancy that arises from the inner lining of the colon. Most, if not all, of these cancers, develop from colonic polyps. Removal of these precancerous polyps can prevent colon cancer.
- Colon Cancer: How Your Food and Diet Can Affect Colorectal Cancer HealthDiet, including nutrient, antioxidant, and vitamin intake, affects colon cancer risk. Certain dietary factors either decrease or increase the risk of colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and other diseases. Dietary factors may either inhibit or stimulate the development of cancer cells. Have a nutrition plan that decreases the risk.
- Colon Cancer IllustrationsMost, if not all, of these cancers develop from colonic polyps. Removal of these precancerous polyps can prevent colon cancer. See a picture of Colon Cancer and learn more about the health topic.
- Colon PolypsColon polyps are fleshy growths inside the colon lining that may become cancerous. Symptoms include rectal bleeding. Learn about causes, signs, treatment, and how to prevent colon cancer.
- ColonoscopyA colonoscopy is a procedure whereby a docotor inserts a viewing tube (colonoscope) into the rectum for the purpose of inspecting the colon. Colonoscopy is the best method currently available to diagnose, detect, and treat abnormalities within the colon.
- Colorectal (Colon) Cancer QuizWhat is colorectal (colon) cancer and who gets it? Take this quiz to find out how this disease may be prevented.
- Colorectal Cancer: What to Expect With a Colonoscopy Learn more about what happens during a colonoscopy, how to prepare for it, and how you’ll feel afterward.
- DiarrheaDiarrhea is a change in the frequency and looseness of bowel movements. Symptoms associated with diarrhea are cramping, abdominal pain, and the sensation of rectal urgency. Causes of diarrhea include viral, bacterial, or parasite infection, gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and drugs. Absorbents and anti-motility medications are used to treat diarrhea.
- DiverticulosisMost people with diverticulosis have few if any symptoms at all. When people do experience signs and symptoms of diverticulosis (diverticular disease) they may include abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. Diverticulitis is a condition in which the diverticula in the colon ruptures. The rupture results in infection in the tissues that surround the colon. Treatment methods for diverticulitis include prescription medications, and in some cases, diverticulitis surgery.
- Endoscopy vs. ColonoscopyBoth endoscopy and colonoscopy are nonsurgical procedures that involve use of a flexible tube with a light and camera to examine parts of the digestive tract. A colonoscopy is a type of endoscopy.
- Intestinal GasIntestinal gas and painful bloating are common. Learn about what causes gas pain and how eliminating certain foods from your diet can help relieve symptoms.
- All About PolypsDo you know what a polyp is? Learn the definition of a polyp, which can be found in the sinuses, stomach, colon, gallbladder, and elsewhere. Learn about endometrial polyps, adenomatous polyps, sessile polyps, pedunculated polyps, uterine polyps, and cervical polyps. Some are more likely to cause cancer.
- Sigmoidoscopy vs. ColonoscopyBoth sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are nonsurgical procedures that involve use of a tube (endoscope) with a light and camera to examine parts of the large intestine (colon). A sigmoidoscopy is a procedure in which a fiberoptic camera is used to examine the rectum and lower part of the colon. The difference between a sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy is that a colonoscopy examines the upper part of the colon as well.
- Virtual ColonoscopyVirtual colonoscopy is a procedure that uses a CT scan to construct virtual images of the colon. Virtual colonoscopy takes approximately 10 minutes, and in comparison to traditional colonoscopy is less invasive and requires no conscious sedation. Virtual colonoscopy may not be recommended for some patients due to their medical history.
