Colon cleansing, an old hygienic practice once ignored, is now enjoying a revival of sorts. The rebuke came after some earlier findings that colon cleansing is unnecessary and that the body can do the job itself.

Urban professionals gave it another look. Somehow, a host of modern health problems such as chronic fatigue, constipation, allergies, etc. are now attributed to faulty colons and that this waste disposal system of the body just has to be cleansed.

Colon cleansing methods

Colon cleansing adherents cannot agree on just one method. Today, there are at least three ways in colon cleansing: colonics (sometimes known as colon irrigation), herbal package products, and diet alteration programs.

Colon irrigation is popular among people who want instant solutions to problems. The biggest objection to colonics, however, is the price and the invasive nature of the process. Water, mixed with some other organic cleansers, is pumped into the colon and flushes out the toxins and other waste matter.

The most affordable method – diet programming – takes the longest. This method simply alters one’s diet and supplants it with foods that are naturally beneficial. Fresh fruits and vegetables takes the biggest portion of the diet for a given time period.

Ideal colon cleanser

A whole new industry is now behind some of the most successful colon cleansing products in the market. For the most part, these manufacturers agree that not one product package in the market today is suited to all.

However, they all agree that the ideal colon cleanser should have all the four essentials –fiber, an herbal laxative, an anti-parasite medication, and a probiotic.

Soluble fiber

One of the most important components of the package would be fiber. They create the bulk needed to eliminate waste. Soluble fiber expands and cleans the colon walls as it passes through, collecting all the impacted waste matter in hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.

After the fiber had collected and removed the wastes including parasites and yeasts, the body gets rid of the fat used in protecting itself from these toxins. The surprise result is some measurable weight loss.

Two of the more popular soluble fibers used in these colon cleansing agents are those from Psyllium husks and oat bran.

Herbal laxative

One important consideration in choosing the right herbal laxative is its safety and non-habit forming qualities. Another is to avoid the effects harsh chemical qualities in others.
An herbal laxative is needed to eliminate the waste fast. Food left to stay longer in the colon than necessary will be re-absorbed.

Once the body is restored to its former state of health and the bowel movements are now regular, these herbal laxatives are immediately removed from the combination. Some strong and potent herbs used nowadays to stimulate bowel movements are Cascara Sagrada and Senna.

Anti-Parasite Herbal Remedy

Another herbal ingredient gets rid of harmful parasites from the colon. Some packages use a combination of different herbs to eliminate not just the adult parasites themselves but also their larvae and eggs.

One strong combination is composed of black walnut hulls, wormwood, and cloves. The walnut hull and wormwood destroy adults and the growing stages of more than a hundred parasites. The cloves destroy the eggs.

Probiotic Blend

In destroying the parasites within the colon, some beneficial bacteria become collateral damage. A good probiotic is needed to re-grow this helpful body flora. Good bacteria help the environment free from harmful yeasts or other parasites from coming back.

Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Lactis are two reliable names in probiotics.

Needs for colon cleansing

Understanding of the main components of the ideal colon cleanser is one big step in getting to know colon cleansing. However, it is also important to realize that no one combination works for everyone. What is perfect for someone may not work properly for another.

Having a good idea about the active ingredients of a product helps one to try to search others that fits one’s body system. Somewhere along the way, one will finally meet the ideal combination of a colon cleanser suited to one’s very own body, temperament, and satisfaction.

People thought the body’s internal disposal system needed help, along the lines of external hygienic practices such as brushing one’s teeth, taking baths, washing hair and cutting nails. Ancient medicine men then developed ways and devices for cleaning the bowels.

However, today’s medical authorities discredited the idea and declared that it does not have any medical value at all. On the contrary, they discovered a list of potential hazards in the practice.

Surprisingly, many people today swore by its medical benefits. As a matter of fact, a whole industry specializing in the manufacture of equipments and other related products are doing brisk business.

The authorities do not actually regulate the use of colon cleansing equipments and products associated with cleansing the colon. However, it exercises control on these manufacturing companies mostly on safety issues, false claims, and quality control.

Like all things in excess, overdoing bowel cleaning is not beneficial. Nor is it recommended.

Here are the top seven in the collated warning notes for users, actual or potential.

1. First order: always consult with your doctor. He is a medical practitioner. He knows your body and your health better than anyone. ‘Anyone’ includes friends and family, especially those people who are selling medical products and equipments for colon cleansing.

   This is a very important consideration, especially if one is currently taking any medication or has other health problems.

2. Always inspect the list of ingredients and their amounts in herbal supplements designed for colon cleansing. The basic premise is that you might be allergic to them, or that they might cause you some other health problems by way of interaction or amount.

   Example: Certain laxatives used in colon cleansing, such as those with sodium phosphate, can cause a rise in your electrolytes, which can be dangerous if you have kidney or heart disease.

3. If a medical practitioner engages the cleansing himself, make sure that he has a good reputation, is widely known in his circles or in the profession at large.

   Important, too, would be to make sure that what he uses are disposable devices and not those that had been used previously.

4. Avoid companies selling colon cleansing products with very broad, inflated claims of efficacy. Nowadays, the advertising thrust is that cleaning the bowels will cure specific illnesses (constipation, arthritis, etc.) or the fuzzy claim that colon cleansing can really improve one’s general health conditions.
5. Stay well hydrated by drinking lots of fluid if undergoing colon cleansing. This is to prevent dehydration which can be potentially dangerous. Some enema preparations have been associated with heart attacks and electrolyte imbalances.
6. If colon cleansing is used for treatment against constipation, try drinking water and other fluids first. It is also good dietary practice to eat fiber-rich foods and getting regular exercises to fight constipation problems.
7. Finally, repeated colon cleansing may interfere with the proper functioning of the colon itself. Some people become dependent on laxatives and enemas to move their bowels.
   Moreover, there is danger of loss of vitamins and minerals that have to be replaced. Some herbs used may reduce the effectiveness of other medication because of interaction.

What all these means is to simply be on alert. The medical profession may not have slammed on the practice because it is still along the lines of personal hygiene. What the authorities may be concerned about is the extensive commercialization and some over-the-top claims just to help in sales.

In the end, people may have forgotten that the body has its own amazing mechanisms on how to clean itself internally. Barring diseases and excessive strain, colon cleansing is, to be honest, simply redundant.

Short history and definition

Colon cleansing is a hot topic of conversation in most circles these days. Today, health-conscious individuals are making internal colon cleansing part of their regular health regimens.

What is colon cleansing, exactly?

Colon cleansing is a procedure that people perform on themselves for health reasons. By doing so, one gets rid of toxins that built up in one’s body from ingested food. These toxins – mostly waste matter that has not been eliminated from the colon or large intestine – had transformed into health hazards after years of accumulation inside the body. .

Some of these are drugs and processed food and other ingested substances from all around us. Together with the colon, our other organs like the liver, kidney and skin try to keep our body clean by sweating, urinating, and bowel movements.

Nowadays, however, these organs are overwhelmed by the rate of unnatural amounts of toxins we accumulate on ourselves. We take drugs, so much sugar, carbohydrates, unbridled alcohol and caffeine and fatty foods regularly. Intake of these harmful substances leaves our bodies depleted of vitamins and minerals and other needed nutrients.

If one’s bowels are not moving at least once a day, it is said that one has an unclean colon, and therefore needs a colon cleansing. Unclean colon is mostly clogged up with mucous and other metabolic waste products inside the colon. This becomes an ideal place for parasites to live.

There are symptoms for these: constipation, stomach pain, feeling sluggish or having low energy, strong food cravings, high sugar and caffeine dependency, or some other unidentifiable illness.

On average days, one wakes up stiff, feeling lethargic and disoriented. Right away, there is a craving for coffee, sugar or worse, some form of medication, to begin feeling energized. Most often, today’s modern man usually rush out stressed on all fronts, without a proper bowel movement or breakfast.

Today, doctors and other medical professionals are recommending colon cleansing.

Kinds of colon cleansing

After being laid on the sidelines for years, colon cleansing is now a favorite activity and topic. People in the know realized that in order for them to be cured of today’s strange illnesses (fatigue, disorientation, lethargy, etc.) they must undergo the procedure.

The fastest way to go is through colonics, or colon irrigation. Water is pumped into the colon to flush out the waste matter. It is pricey and invasive but fast.

Another way is through some herbal supplements sold in the market. These remedies are all good and reliable. Herbs had been with us for centuries, and these are the precursors of modern pharmaceuticals.

The last one is the simplest: a diet program.

Colon cleansing at home

Colon cleansing by way of a diet is the best method there is, albeit the slowest to wait for results. The results however are the best and the most reliable.

What makes it the easiest to implement is the availability of materials: fresh fruits and vegetables and plenty of water. The fruits and vegetables provide all the fiber needed to expel all the waste matter and other toxins from the colon. Water helps in flushing them out.

After this natural colon cleansing, one would know the results: improved digestion, better elimination, less constipation and gas. There is more energy and a feeling of overall health.

One of the nice things about it is that it can be done at home.

2) Cleanse with juice
One method of natural colon cleansing is the juice fast, wherein you take in only water, vegetable and fruit juices for a few days. Many people prefer this method since fruits and vegetables are known to carry plenty of vitamins and antioxidants. Aside from that, ingesting it in juice form makes it easier to digest and process. There is a wide variety of fruits and vegetables that are usually blended together for a great drink. You can simply create your own or follow many of the recipes that you can easily find online for a delicious and healthy concoction you can drink throughout the day.

However, before you choose this type of cleansing, it is important to check if you are healthy enough to go on this kind of fasting. If you have an illness such as kidney disease, nutritional deficiency, ulcer or any other chronic disease, or if you are pregnant, it is best to consult with your doctor first, or to avoid this kind of cleansing at all.

3) Introduce psyllium husk in your diet

Fiber is considered as nature’s broom and works wonders in cleaning our digestive system. Psyllium husk is another great source of insoluble fiber and is even used in those colon cleansing kits sold commercially. Of course, you don’t have to buy kits to get your dose of psyllium husk. You can easily find this in drugstores in capsule or powder form, which you can take as supplements to your diet. One thing to remember though, is that powdered psyllium husk needs to be mixed with liquids before ingesting, otherwise you can get problems in your system.

4) Add some bentonite clay

Another natural product used in colon cleansing is bentonite clay, which is formed from volcanic ash. This has been used for centuries as a healing agent for internal or external ailments. When consumed, bentonite clay acts as a detoxifying agent by pulling the toxins in the intestine towards itself and carrying them out of the body through regular bowel movement. You can also find bentonite clay in the same place where you can buy psyllium husk, and can also be bought in either capsule or powder form. You can mix both psyllium husk and bentonite clay into your drink to make a much more effective colon cleanser.

5) Take probiotics and prebiotics
When we flush out toxins, waste and bad organisms from our body, we also end up inevitably flushing out some of the good bacteria that combat the bad ones. We need more of this good bacteria, known as probiotics, to maintain the proper balance in our system and promote better health. This is why we need to replenish our body’s supply by eating yogurt, cultured milk, or other cultured dairy products. They also come in capsule form for easier consumption. Whether we follow a natural colon cleanse method or do it some other way, we still need prebiotics, food particles that we don’t digest but serve feed the probiotics for them to grow and thrive.

Most people think there is a magic bullet to end most of them: colon cleansing.

Colon cleansing is actually a method of cleaning the body’s waste disposal system. Taking their cue from the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, people are again of the belief that today’s illnesses spring from faulty body waste disposal and that this discrepancy needs outside help.

Herbs

One of the three main methods of colon cleansing is the use of herbs. These herbs can be found in manufactured colon cleansing systems or can be obtained by anyone interested enough to self-medicate.

It is believed that aside from cleansing the colon, herbs also helps remove from our body’s system those harmful chemicals, pesticides, and metals we ingest everyday. Most people now believe that these environmental toxins also play a big role in the rise of today’s illnesses.

Some particular herbs may not react together well enough. This is where knowledge of these herbal aids becomes crucial. It is important, at the very least, to know the general use of these named herbs for reference purposes. Of course, as the final arbiter, a medical practitioner is the best resource person.

Here is the list and a short description of how they work.

* Cascara sagrada also known as bearberry – this herb has a long history as a laxative fro people suffering from constipation. Note of caution: This cannot be used on a regular basis since it can be habit-forming. Read the manufacturer’s instructions.

* Wormwood – cleanses the colon of worms and also works as a mild sedative. However, this should not be used by pregnant or nursing women.

* Black walnut husk – this cleanses the intestines of parasites, and is also effective in fighting fungal infections. On the side, it helps in digestion.

* Cloves – this herb helps clears out parasites and aids in digestion.

* Rosemary – this versatile herb aids in preventing liver toxicity. It has anti-tumor properties and stimulates digestion and blood circulation.

* Cayenne Pepper- a wonderful herb that does many things including; helps the heart, kidneys, lungs, and stomach. It helps in digestion and is good for sinus problems,
colds and sore throats. Cayenne is rich in folic acid, vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B6, vitamin A and C.

* Yellow dock or curly dock – it cleanses the blood, the colon and good in combating liver disease.

* Parsley – this fragrant herb does many good things: stops tumors from multiplying, helps the kidneys, bladder, stomach, liver and lungs work better. It also helps
lower blood pressure.

* Yerba mate – it cleanses the blood, helps with allergies, constipation and inflammation.

* Cats Claw – this one is good for intestinal disorders. It also enhances white blood cell action. (Note: pregnant women should not use this.)

* Cranberry – this is great for combating urinary tract infection. Bacteria cannot survive in cranberry’s acidity.

* Corn Silk – helps fight troubles in the intestines, bladder and kidneys. Works well in combination with other kidney-cleansing herbs.

* Milk Thistle – this herb works best for liver problems and is a great antioxidant. It is also good in fighting digestive and kidney disorders.

Aside from these herbs, there are foods that help the body just as well. Mostly, they alkalize and detoxify the body. (Some vegetables and fruits – while good – are acid-forming: asparagus, Brussels sprouts, chickpeas, cranberries, canned fruits.) These comprise most of the vegetables, fruits, soy products, maple syrup and molasses.

For today’s new health troubles, it is good to know some herbs and food that help in the fight. Some of them are strictly classified as colon cleansers and rightly so. Whatever is the name, it is good to know them by heart, especially on how they are used.

It is in this time that you are able to understand the need to get rid of certain toxins that affect the body’s performance. Colon cleansing is one of the procedures that can help ward off such toxins and bring your body back into tip top shape.

In order to best understand the need for colon cleansing, you must primarily understand what is happening inside that commonly neglected part of the digestive system known as the colon. Now you might recall this from your biology class back in high school. Anatomically speaking, the colon is within your large intestine running from what is known as the cecum going down through the rectum. Since it is a portion of the large intestine you then have to be acquainted with the function of the large intestine. Its main job is to store waste for elimination and reabsorb water thereby maintaining acid-base balance within the body.

The colon is important since it affects the performance of other organs, say the liver and the kidney. Unfortunately, the colon tends to be in a complete mess when you fool around with your health particularly in aspects of diet, lifestyle, and living conditions. These risk factors can get your colon into trouble by clogging it with toxins and mucoids. Taking into account diet, too much consumption of protein in the form of smoked red meat which is not prepared and cooked properly results into increased acidity. Due to this, the body experiences deficiencies in vital minerals and electrolytes. More so, the colon is incapable to do battle with toxins and hazardous bacteria.

It is not only what you eat that hits your colon right on the kisser. It’s the way you eat. Overeating is a sin that can rot your colon down the drain because enzymes tend to be overused in this state which means that your colon needs to go overtime at the office. Sedentary lifestyle and vices can heat up your colon. It goes hand in hand with improper diet that can gradually kill your colon. The environment in which you move about is also another thing to consider. Well, it’s not really your fault since you are in the industrial age but be keen of your surroundings particularly when exposed to increased pollution, secondary smoking, pesticides, and other dangerous chemicals. Why so? Simply because when the immune system is compromised the colon is weakened as well.

Colon cleansing is one effective method of addressing problems like constipation and sluggishness. Along with it is the opportunity to be clean inside out meaning you have the opportunity to revitalize vital organs such as the stomach, the small intestine, and of course your large intestine. The end-result then would be a better overall look and well-being.

Some people do not want to drink vegetable juices while others can take that procedure. So, before you finally decided to have a colon cleansing diet you must do your homework by choosing what is the right detoxification dietary program for you.

Most people believe that not all programs are suitable for everybody. If cleansing diet program #1 successfully effective with Jen, it doesn’t mean that program will also effective to Rachel. If we really want to totally detoxify our colon disease we must be particular for a single program and we must stick to it. Some programs can destroy us, so before using that particular program you must consult your doctor first. And the best of all, whatever is our choice, we should be satisfy the needs to suits our lifestyles.

Let’s think of it that a particular program can recommend a fiber to improve your good digestion and nutrient assimilation. If the people will follow a particular program there are promises that will help you boosting your lowered energy; they will abolish bad breath; eradicate constipation; and help you go down your heaviness while escalating your life superiority.
They have different testimonials that in less than two months, they loose thirty pounds through their colon cleansing dietary program.

They’ve developed a self confidence and created more energy for their exercise schedules. There’s another testimony that following their program for three weeks and the bad breath they are irritating for years disappeared. A testimonial says that she cleared her problem in constipation after taking that program. A testimonial also will be imposing that he lost his heavy weight abdomen and felt clear without any burden in their. Whatever the testimonials you’ve read in any of the colon cleansing detoxification dietary program, you must be aware the pros and cons of your choice program so that you will live a worry-free life.

You can try this detox diet, hopefully will satisfy your needs. Be ready for the surprising procedure. Convert yourself from heavy breakfast into fruit-eating only until eleven in the morning. This practice can digest the fruits easily; also offers more fiber but less fat than other foods. Eat as many as you want but make sure that is purely fruits no other food but vitamin C. During your lunch until afternoon snacks you must not eat both carbohydrates and proteins at every meal. Their digestive fluids are not the same with the carbohydrates against proteins and it will lead into constipation and bloating. If you are really hungry before bedtime, make sure that you will eat your evening meal two to three hours before preferred time to sleep.

And for the beverages you want to drink is you must drink only half of your body by ounces (e.g: If a man that weights 200 pounds, he must drinking 100 ounces daily or an equal of 11-12 nine-ounce glasses of water daily). It is also advisable to drink purified water as well as green teas, juices and warm water to totally Colon Cleanse Detox Diet.

What is the colon?
The colon is a part of the digestive tract that lies at the end of the large intestine. This is where salt and water are extracted from the solid wastes that pass through this on their way out of the body. Unfortunately, not all wastes that pass through the colon are successfully expelled. Some remain stuck to the colon walls and remain there for a long time. The toxins contained in these wastes may also be reabsorbed by the colon and distributed back into the body, ultimately affecting your health and energy as time passes.

What does a colon cleanse do?
Simply put, a colon cleanse removes all that excess waste in your colon and detoxifies you in the process, leaving you cleaner on the inside, healthier, and even several pounds lighter.

When should you get a colon cleanse?
There are no unique symptoms that show up to tell you exactly when you need a colon cleansing, so it’s mostly just a matter of your decision to do this procedure. The effects of having a dirty colon are varied and can easily be attributed to some other possible ailment, but they are definitely more than just a bloated tummy or difficulty in passing. All that excess waste and toxins in your colon can give you more problems that affect your proper function in everyday activities.

Some conditions that can possibly be attributed to a dirty colon includes obvious ones such as constipation, flatulence, bloated tummy, impaired digestion and irritable bowel syndrome. The not so obvious ones include excess weight due to the excess waste, mood swings, bad breath, headaches, fouler-than-usual-smelling stools, inexplicable food cravings, and even skin problems. If you have recurring experiences of one or more of these conditions, it might be a sign to consider getting a colon cleanse.

What are the ways to cleanse your colon?
There are several effective ways in cleansing your colon. One of these is getting a colonic irrigation, a medical procedure that involves having someone else insert a special equipment through your rectum into the colon and introducing copious amounts of water or a water mixture to cleanse and irrigate the colon. Although the process itself will definitely be uncomfortable and tedious, it does not result in a very long recovery period. Aside from a little cramping and the constant discharging of wastes within a few hours after the procedure, there is nothing else you need to worry about after a colonic irrigation and you can go back to your usual activities right away.

Another popular method is using a colon cleanse kit which are easy to find in drugstores. The best thing about using colon cleanse kits is that you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home in order to get it, and you don’t need other people to assist you in doing the procedure. The worst thing, however, is that you will be making a lot of trips to the bathroom at unexpected times. Just don’t stray too far when you use this method.

If you’re looking for a more natural way of having a clean colon, there are actually several ways to do so, such as going on a juice fast, or introducing a healthy amount of insoluble fibers into your daily diet.

Now that you’ve gotten to know your colon a little bit better, you’re now ready to take the necessary steps to make it clean and keep it that way. In order to get the most effective results from colon cleansing, it is recommended that you first consult with your doctor and hear what he has to say.