COLON CLEANSING: IS IT HELPFUL OR HARMFULL
If you are experiencing any digestive health problems like constipation, gas trouble, diarrhea or heartburn, you might be considering colon cleansing. But, before getting this done, just get the facts behind this procedure. So, you can decide whether colon cleansing is” helpful or harmful”. Although colon cleansing is a popular procedure, it’s not considered as completely safe. There are more safe and natural ways to cleanse your colon. Anyway let’s find out the benefits and harm caused by colon cleansing.
Is it helpful or harmful?
Many people consider colon cleansing as a solution for constipation and other digestive health problems. Some also thinks that it helps reducing the risk of colon cancer. But, there is no scientific evidence or report to prove the benefits of colon cleansing. According to the opinion of a gastroenterologist, Francisco J. Marrero, Ohio, “there are no large, randomized trials that show any benefits of colon cleansing and few studies on the effects of colon cleansing overall. Dr. Marrero has also noted that, colon cleansing is not the true, complete cleansing that many people may think. It is because the procedure only flushes out the colon and not the small bowel. The only way to clean out the small bowel is by eating a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables.
According to a study by Georgetown university researchers, they found little evidence to show the benefits of colon cleansing. Instead, a number of their studies reported side effects such as vomiting, cramping, bloating, kidney failures and electrolyte imbalance.
In the procedure of colon cleansing, large amount of water with chemicals are flushed into the colon through a tube inserted in the rectum. There can be complications while flushing a large amount of water into the colon. They include;
- Worsening any existing hemorrhoids.
- Creating a puncture wound in the rectum.
- Electrolyte imbalances.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Heart problems including abnormal heart beats and even death.
- Coma.
- Fluid in the lungs.
- Gastrointestinal perforations due to improper insertion.
- Amoebic infection from poorly sterilized equipments.
- Dehydration and salt depletion.
- Repeated cleansing process may result in anemia and malnutrition.
Human body removes the waste materials naturally. The body carefully controls the balance of water and electrolytes in the blood and tissues. Colon cleansing can disrupt this balance. It may also disrupt the balance between bacteria and natural chemicals in the bowels, and may interfere with the colons ability to shed dead cells. The frequent use of enemas or other colon cleansing methods may lead to dependence and inability to defecate without the assistance of others.
Some people who practice alternative medicine suggest colon cleansing. They say these products cure many diseases and prevent colon cancer. They believe that a bowel, not working properly causes many problems and they recommend colon cleansing to correct them. There are no scientific evidences to support this claim and there is no evidence to prove that colon cleansing cures various health problems, prevents cancer, removes toxins or boosts the immune system. Colon cleansing can be highly harmful and will lead to various health problems and even death. Some herbs that are used in colon cleansing as an oral preparation, may also interfere with drug absorption and effectiveness of prescription drugs.
Another big problem regarding colon cleansing is that, this practice is not well monitored or regulated and most practitioners are not well trained or knowledgeable, which increases the risk. Even if the equipments used in this process are not clean and sterile, it will introduce infectious disease into the body.
In my opinion, colon cleansing is not good to use and are unsafe. There are other simple and natural ways that does the similar function as colon cleansing. Eating the right food and following a healthy lifestyle can accomplish the goal of colon cleansing. If you want to remove the dietary toxins from your body, then it will be better to improve your dietary habits. You will be able to find few guides here on this site which advises you to follow a particular dietary habit.
