The Many Benefits of Colon Cleansing
The human body is an incredible testament to life’s capabilities. From the protective qualities of the skin to the immense power of the brain, your body sustains an unmatched form of sentient life on a daily basis. However, smooth, efficient operating can’t continue without proper care and attention to detail.
Most healthy, active adults understand the benefits of preventative care. An annual doctor appointment can do wonders for your well-being, helping to detect issues early to prevent against illness and injury before it’s too late. However, this kind of medical care frequently focuses on the surface elements of the body, allowing the potential for issues to develop where you least expect them.
One of the most likely culprits of health challenges? The colon. Often ignored by healthcare professionals until critical issues emerge, it’s extremely easy to miss the problems lurking within. A colon cleanse can be the ideal solution, providing many health benefits, and offering an easy and affordable way to keep your body in perfect working order.
The Importance of the Colon
Also known as the large intestine, the colon is an organ found within the gastrointestinal tract and makes up a part of the digestive system. It is a critical part of the process of consuming, processing, and disposing of food, helping you to power your body and make the most of calories ingested.
In particular, the colon is most valuable in the absorption of water and the storage of remaining food waste in the form of feces prior to evacuation. In humans, the colon is comprised of several different sections:
- The cecum, the intraperitoneal pouch at the start of the colon
- The ascending colon, a smaller, thinner section of colon that passes upwards that is held to the posterior wall of the abdomen by the peritoneum
- The transverse colon, the longest and most movable part of the colon; it is responsible for absorbing water and salt
- The descending colon, the long downward part of the colon that is used to store the remains of digested food
- The sigmoid colon, a loop of 35 to 40 cm in length that expels waste from the gastrointestinal tract
- The rectum, the final straight segment of the colon that leads directly to the anal cavity
Clearly, there is a lot more components to large intestine than most people realize.
The disposal of waste is among the most important functions of the colon. The average adult has between seven to ten pounds of fecal matter within the large intestine at any given time, even with healthy bowel movements on a regular schedule.
While a natural part of the colon’s responsibilities, the buildup of fecal matter provides the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, parasites, and more, compromising health over the long run. This can also cause the collection of toxins and chemicals consumed in food, leaving dangerous substances in your body that can compromise the colon’s function.
A colon cleanse can be the best possible way to right the wrongs occurring in your body, offering a way to clean, purify, and restore this important organ.
Common Colon Problems
As Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, once said, “All disease begins in the gut.” In other words, the colon is at the root of all of your body’s problems. While hyperbolic – many medical conditions start in areas other than the bowels, of course – some of what Hippocrates said does ring true.
Plenty of illnesses and health issues can arise from trouble in the colon, creating aches, pains, lethargy, and more. As a matter of fact, gut health is becoming recognized more and more as a critical component to overall health, and has been linked to issues like diabetes and autoimmune disease. But is it good to do a colon cleanse?
Colon cleanses are designed to address shortcomings in the body’s digestive tract, helping to alleviate problems that start within the gut. While the digestive system does indeed have its own cleaning methods – bowel movements, most notably – they are not always as effective as they could be, leaving toxins, bacteria, and fecal matter in the body that can hamper overall functioning.
In addition, not all individuals are able to have healthy, normal bowel movements. From a poor diet that leads to constipation or dehydration to medical conditions like Chron’s Disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, normal digestion may not be possible. In the United States, approximately 63 million individuals suffer from constipation, while an additional 25 to 45 million suffer from IBS.
One bowel movement with a solid consistency each day is considered healthy and normal. Anyone with fewer bowel movements or significantly more is a great candidate for a colon cleanse; unhealthy evacuation patterns indicate challenges in the intestines that require care and treatment.
Signs of colon problems are varying and chronic, but can include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Stomach pain
- Fatigue and a lack of energy
- Sugar Cravings
- Sluggishness and lethargy
- Halitosis
- Headaches
- Allergies
- Constipation
- Depression, anxiety, moodiness
- Skin rash and eczema
- Brain fog and trouble focusing
- Poor immunity
- Colon cancer
Seems like a lot of damage can be caused by a clogged colon! It’s all true – the toxins, unreleased food, and waste particles that remain in the bowels can cause bacteria to ferment within the colon, resulting in the potential for toxins to penetrate the bloodstream.
Furthermore, too much buildup in the colon can lead to issues in nutrient absorption, providing inadequate access to vitamins and minerals.
What is Colon Cleansing?
A colon cleanse is a process of removing fecal matter, toxins, and other impurities from the from the large intestine. The main goal is detoxification, helping to essentially recalibrate the ways in which the colon functions.
Instead of allowing problems to affect nutrient absorption and thus overall health, a colon cleanse can improve digestion, focus, and energy, helping you to live your best life.
There are two primary colon-cleansing methods: At home using over the counter products and supplements, or with the assistance of a trained professional, which requires visiting a colonic hydrotherapist to have a colon irrigation.
So which method is right for you? There’s no one right or wrong answer – the path you choose will depend largely on the results you wish to see – but each option can offer significant advantages for your body.
A colonic (also known as a high colonic, colonic irrigation or colon hydrotherapy), is a procedure conducted by a trained individual outside of the home using professional equipment and medical-grade cleansers. While this form of colon cleansing is the most thorough, it’s far more invasive and inconvenient than at-home methods, and will not be suitable for many people.
For those who do not feel comfortable seeing an expert, many colon cleansing products are sold online and at drugstores and specialty health shops. These alternatives can be used at home in private, allowing you to handle the cleansing process on your own schedule.
How to Cleanse Your Colon –
Colonic vs. Enemas
Traditionally, colon cleanses involve using a fluid to physically remove waste and unwanted material from the colon. In general, this is done using a special solution made up of natural cleansers that will not harm your digestive tract or cause imbalances within the body.
Using a fluid to clean out the colon is an effective option for colonic cleaning. With help from a flexible nozzle and a tube, it’s possible to directly target problem areas. This method is preferred for those who desire a completely clean colon, and can be accomplished in a professional setting or even in the comfort of your home using OTC kits.
In general, this kind of colon cleanse takes the form of either a colonic or an enema.
A professional colon hydrotherapy process involves a visit to a colonic hygienist who performs the treatment while patients rest on a table. This method sends approximately 60 liters or 15 gallons of liquid through the large intestine all the way into the small intestine by using a thin, flexible tube with a nozzle.
This process is often repeated at least twice – once to remove major impurities and again to rinse out any remaining remnants.
A colonic takes, on average, one to two hours. When done properly, a colonic is the most comprehensive way to approach a colon cleanse, allowing a technician to thoroughly clean every inch of the large intestine.
Due to the involvement of a third party, colonics are often more expensive than the alternatives, ranging from $50 to $100 per session.
Unlike colonic hydrotherapy, an enema can be completed at home. Kits are sold at every drugstore in the U.S. and are safe and easy to use without assistance.
In general, enemas only target one region of the colon versus the entire colon, so additional treatment or products may be required for total exposure. Enemas can be done using specially-sold formulas or with natural substances like vinegar or coffee.
In medical situations, like before surgery, enemas can be performed in a doctor’s office or hospital setting.
Colon Cleansing Diets and Pills
Alternately, if you are not comfortable using a physical substance to clean out the colon, certain colon cleansing diets can prove to be very effective as well. Juice fasts, for example, when conducted properly, can target the colon by providing nutrients without the buildup of waste. Juice fasts should rely on organic ingredients and homemade or professionally made products for sustainable nutrition throughout your fast.
Perhaps the most convenient of all the effective cleansing methods, colon cleanser supplements are an easy, non-invasive, and safe way to cleanse and purify the gut. These products can be used by themselves, or in conjunction with the methods previously discussed.
No matter which path you choose, be sure to consider all of the pros and cons – your health is no place to cut corners. Use only approved applications or trusted over-the-counter products; while some home recipes are acceptable, an untested formula may cause more harm than good.
Cleansing Side Effects
Colon cleanses often result in instant relief, providing rapid changes throughout the body. They are not only safe, but are good for your health.
However, the period immediately following a colonic or enema may be slightly uncomfortable, especially if you are asked to “hold in” liquid prior to release. Additionally, some individuals may experience negative side effects, such as gas, bloating, or light cramps.
You may also experience what is known as the “Herxheimer Effect”, where toxins are pulled out of the body’s tissues into the blood stream faster than they can be eliminated. This often leads to unpleasant, but temporary, side effects, such as fever, chills, headaches, nausea, dizziness, sore throat, and other flu-like symptoms.
The good news is that these effects are only temporary and prove to be a reliable sign that you are purging the body of some of the nasty substances that were trapped there before. These symptoms should diminish within the next one to two days, leaving you to feel light, clean, and fresh.
Health Benefits of Cleansing the Colon
The colon plays a critical role in your body, so it’s no surprise that cleanses can offer numerous benefits to your overall health. While different treatments yield different results, a standard colon cleanse can provide advantages that include:
- Stimulation of the muscles used in the movement of the colon to build strength and facilitate better bowel movements.
- Encouraging the clean, easy passage of fecal matter through the digestive tract
- The halt of putrefaction within the colon
- Disinfecting treatments that can remove the threat of dangerous bacteria
- Soothing the mucous membranes within the lining of the digestive tract
- Natural repair of herniated areas that developed while straining to go
- Promotion of healthy intestinal flora
- Destroying parasites residing in the large intestine
- Maintaining digestive regularity and reducing straining while using the bathroom
- Improved transit time of fecal matter through the intestines
In addition to the direct effects to the colon itself, colon cleanses can ameliorate many other pains within the body, including stomach cramps,headaches, and abdominal pains. Constipation and dehydration can also be addressed during a colon cleanse, helping to clean and hydrate the digestive tract for proper nutrient absorption.
A successful colon cleanse can also enhance cognition, boost focus, improve attention to detail, increase productivity, and raise mood. All in all, a comprehensive treatment can help you feel better in many aspects of life, whether you sense digestive challenges or simply feel under the weather.
Conclusion
With so many pieces and parts that play such a critical role in how the body processes food and gains energy, it’s no wonder that the colon can cause numerous issues when left unattended. From strains, pains, and bloating throughout the day to fatigue that holds you back at work, improper colon function can wreak havoc from head to toe.
A proper cleanse can make all the difference, helping to restore, reinvigorate, and refresh your body. Without high levels of toxins, bacteria, and dehydrated fecal matter standing in the way, your digestive system can function properly, ensuring you’re prepared to make the most of whatever you choose to eat.
Whether you’re a veteran in the art of the colon cleanse or are still considering your options, colonics, enemas, and diet-related cleanses can do wonders for your system, promoting everything from better digestion to increased energy. While all options have pros and cons, there’s no denying that a colon cleanse benefits your health in many ways.
If you’ve never used a colon cleanse to look better and feel better, now’s the time to give your gastrointestinal tract the care it deserves.
For more information, please see our colon cleansing blog and answers to frequently asked questions.