Clean Your Colon? Save Your Money. Eat Healthy.
If you do not want to read this entire blog, then read this: Forget colon cleansing. Don’t waste your time or money. Your colon can do the job without any outside help. Your proctologist, also known as a colon and rectal surgeon, can further educate you in the pitfalls of colon cleansing.
The business of colon cleansing, also known as “high colonics”, has been around for many years. The industry preys upon our desire to live healthy lives and our inexperience with matters related to our intestines. As a result, we see ads proclaiming the wonder and the benefits of getting the toxins, the poisons, the “spackle” off of your colon walls and out of your system.
Out Of My System?
The silly aspect of all of this is that the supposed toxins, once in your stool, are about to be expelled from your system via the natural route; your anal canal. The toxins are not in your system at all. So why bother with cleansing?
There are no toxins in bowel movement anyway. Stool is simply waste. It is the residue remaining after all of the nutrients have been removed and absorbed through our small intestines, into our systems. The basic premise upon which cleansing is built is phony from the beginning.
How Does It Work?
Dietary changes. Oral purgatives (strong laxatives). Enemas. Water irrigation. All of these are in the bag of tricks of the colonic hydrotherapist (doesn’t that term sound impressive). And, the process is repeated over weeks and years. Hmmm.
During the most common form of “treatment” a tube is inserted into the rectum and large amounts of water are “flushed” into the colon. Out rush the toxins. And you feel great. (And, most people do feel “great” after enemas. No surprises here). Sometimes, psyllium is mixed into the water flush. The psyllium solidifies and when it comes out, it looks like the results you would want. It looks like a gooey mass of toxins.
Does It Work?
There is absolutely no evidence that colon cleansing adds to our longevity or improves our health. No evidence whatsoever. There is evidence that the colon walls are superbly resistant to the movements of bacteria and viruses through the walls. There are wonderful parts of our immune systems that dispose of any foreign invaders that do go through the colon walls. And, any “toxins” that are in our food supply, are absorbed into the body long before they can reach the colon to be flushed out. All in all, our bodies are designed to work well without much user intervention.
Any Risks?
The list of risks associated with colon cleansing reads like the ten plagues: colon perforation, fluid and electrolyte imbalances due to the large volumes of irrigation, unclean equipment, psychological dependence and physical dependence if laxatives are taken regularly. All of these are real risks.
Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates.
The surgeons of Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates are board certified and available to answer any questions about colon cleansing, or any disease related to the colon, rectum and anus. By calling (310)273-2310, you can schedule a confidential consultation and take another step down the path of health maintenance.