We are all exposed to thousands of different toxins and chemicals in our daily lives. From work, to home, to the air we breathe and the foods we eat – everything is infused with processing, chemicals and toxins which aren’t well tested for use in humans. U.S. industries manufacture over 6 trillion pounds of 9,000 different chemicals each and every year. Billions of pounds of chemicals are dumped into the air and water each year and now scientists are finding pollution levels in human tissue that are deeply disturbing.
All of this research has documented that the human body is not able to eliminate all of the toxins to which we are exposed. The accumulation happens in fat cells, tissues, blood and organs causing health problems. Proponents of colon cleansing and body detoxification believe that there are a few things we can do to eliminate some of the toxins and help our bodies to function more efficiently.
Colon cleansing is one aspect of a complete body detoxification that is reported to help reduce bloating, constipation and fatigue. While proponents believe that colon cleansing has health benefits, doctors often take a different view. Doctors will recommend a cleansing in preparation for a medical examination but don’t recommend it on a consistent basis. They believe that it is unnecessary and possibly harmful.
The colon will absorb water and sodium to maintain the body’s electrolyte balance and the cleansing will disrupt the balance, possibly causing dehydration and salt depletion. Long-term the process can lead to anemia, malnutrition and heart failure.
Health care professionals who recommend cleansing do so as a result of a Standard Western Diet that is common in the U.S. and many parts of Europe. This diet, high in animal fat, meat, poly-unsaturated fats and processed foods, exposes the colon and intestines to putrefying foods for longer periods of time. This exposes the individual to a greater risk of developing disease. Those who enjoy a vegetarian diet are at less risk for developing illness since the food moves through the intestines more quickly when animal fats aren’t included in the diet.
There are two specific kinds of colon cleansing. The first involves a powder or liquid supplement which works from the top down. The second is a colonic irrigation or hydrotherapy that uses an enema to flush out the lower intestines with water. Holistic practitioners believe that, if not kept clean, the colon will build up with fecal waste material which will harden and decrease the absorption of nutrients in the body. While this extreme picture isn’t true, since the body is well versed in ridding waste from the intestines, these toxins and chemicals may negatively impact the integrity of the intestinal walls.
As the intestines are exposed to bad bacteria or viruses there is the possibility that there is leaking of the virus or bacteria into the abdominal cavity or blood system. This process is also possible when there is a build-up of toxins and chemicals in the intestines. Cleansing the colon, or even the entire intestines, may help the body to work more efficiently by ridding it of the toxins and chemicals from our environment.
However, in order to cleanse the colon sufficiently it must be done on a regular basis and this process can injure the body. Using too much water can lead to a chemical imbalance, the equipment could transmit a bacterial infection or any liquid supplements could cause dehydration.
What has been found to work efficiently is the use of a high fiber diet that is low in fat and high in Vitamin D. Regular exercise helps to increase the motility (movement) of the colon which aids in elimination. Colon cleansing can then be successful on a less frequent basis. Others find that using a high fiber supplement, such as Psyllium Husks, can improve the movement of waste products through the intestines and decrease the risk of constipation.
The decision to include a colon cleanse in your body detoxification is a personal one. Before making that decision you must determine if you are willing to make the remainder of the changes to your lifestyle choices that will increase the success of using a colon cleansing product. And it is important to seek the advice of your primary care physician to be sure that a colon cleanse will not interfere with any treatment protocols you may be undergoing for other underlying medical conditions.
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