5 Benefits Of a Colon Cleanse

With additives in our food, pesticides on our crops, and pollution all around us, many might say we live in a toxic age. Sometimes all that toxic buildup can take its toll on the colon, which encumbers digestion and overall health. When your colon is backed up with toxic material, your entire body becomes sluggish and unable to perform its day-to-day tasks. Luckily, your body does a pretty good job detoxifying itself on a regular basis; however, some toxins remain in the body and require some help to facilitate removal.

5 Benefits of Colon Cleansing

Helping your body detoxify itself isn’t too difficult when you stop and think about it. Eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise are two powerful components. But sometimes we need a bit more when it comes to toxins, many of which can easily store themselves in the colon. So, if you think you need a colon cleanse, or you just want to look into the idea, don’t put it off. Here are 5 great benefits of colon cleansing you should know.

1. Improves Digestion and Prevents Constipation

Constipation can make for poor digestion, and vice versa. When digestion is impaired and constipation ensues, waste products can linger in your body. This whole process can lead to the inability to absorb many of the nutrients you’re taking in, leading to a lack of energy and and hampered immune function. Detoxing your colon allows those undigested waste products to be pushed through your system and also puts some ease in your bowel regularity. Since lingering waste can breed bacteria, this purge clears the way for good nutrient absorption, thereby supporting good health.

2. Increases Energy and Concentration

Purging toxins from your colon allows energy from the intestines to place focus elsewhere, meaning your energy levels could improve. Nutrition is very important to mental health, and the weak vitamin absorption before your colon cleanse may lead to loss of concentration. In addition to you having more energy, absorption of crucial vitamins responsible for mental clarity is improved, meaning your concentration may also be supported.

3. Jumpstarts Weight Loss

Low-fiber choices are often the result of a poor diet. These foods are terrible for digestion, and typically hinder the body’s ability to register the feeling of fullness. ^[1] It’s very challenging to relieve yourself of low-fiber foods compared with high-fiber options, and these foods will often linger much longer in the gut. When you cleanse the colon, this matter is flushed from the system, and, in some, may lead to significant weight loss that stays off. But if you’re looking to lose weight, one study suggests that simply increasing fiber intake can also help you shed unwanted pounds. ^[2]

4. Supports Overall Colon Health

All the toxins you take into your body will eventually end up being processed, making it to the colon. By not cleansing your colon (and liver), these poisons can linger in the body, causing untold damage. By ridding the body of the waste, you support the many functions of your colon, including digestion and proliferation of beneficial gut flora.

5. Encourages Whole Body Detox

As previously mentioned, your body is extremely intelligent in that it is constantly detoxifying itself every day. But sometimes, in combination with environmental factors and poor lifestyle habits, it’s hard to catch up, and your body may begin showing signs of colon toxic overload. An oxygen-based cleanser may be helpful for encouraging colon–as well as whole body–detoxification by releasing oxygen in the system. Oxygen is very important for facilitating removal of toxins, as is drinking plenty of clean, fresh water.

Something to Keep in Mind

If you find yourself feeling sluggish, a colon cleanse might be just the thing you need. Be sure to research extensively before doing a colon cleanse, and always talk to your doctor to find the best solution for you. While most cleanses can be performed by virtually anyone, you need to listen to your body and do what’s right for you, keeping your past or current health history in mind, prior to making a lifestyle change.

Have you ever tried a colon cleanse or thought about doing one? Tell us about it in the comments below.

References:

1. Klosterbuer, A. et al. Benefits of dietary fiber in clinical nutrition. Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 26 (5).


2. Slavin, J. L. Dietary fiber and body weight. Nutrition. 21 (3).

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Are Herbal Colon Cleansers Safe?

Herbal colon cleansers are increasingly popular and many people believe botanical herbs are both harmless and extremely beneficial to support colon health conditions. In some cases, this is absolutely correct. Many herbs are healthful to the body. Unfortunately, some herbs are not. The National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine has reported a number of dangerous, life threatening consequences that have resulted from taking laxatives containing herbal ingredients. Three common herbal colon cleanser and laxative ingredients in particular, psyllium, cascaras sagrada, and senna, may present very serious health risks and major medical complications such as hepatitis and liver failure.

Senna

Senna is an herbal stimulant laxative with serious risks, especially to the liver. Using senna to treat chronic constipation can lead to hepatitis, which is an extremely damaging condition to the liver that can lead to death. ^[1] [2] The Department of Nephrology at Université catholique de Louvain in Brussels Belgium reported a case of a woman who had developed liver failure from ingesting an herbal tea containing senna. Her liver damage was serious enough that transplantation was considered. Researchers warned that liver damage is a risk of using laxatives containing senna, especially in excess. ^[3]

Cascara Sagrada

Cascara sagrada, is an herbal stimulant laxative and, like senna, using it can lead to hepatitis. Multiple incidences have been reported of patients who developed serious hepatitis and liver failure after taking herbal products containing cascara sagrada. ^[4] The Division of Gastroenterology at Texas Tech University’s Health Science Center warns that the reason cascara sagrada has been linked to hepatitis is because it contains a compound called anthracene glycoside, which has long been known to cause hepatitis. ^[5]

Psyllium

Perhaps the most common herbal laxative ingredient is psyllium. Psyllium is the seed of plantago ovata and psyllium husk is a main component of bulk laxatives. When psyllium husk meets water, it swells up like a sponge and stimulates bowel contractions. However, studies and documented cases of emergency medical situations have shown that psyllium is NOT a harmless or benign ingredient.

Like peanuts, psyllium is a food allergen and allergic reactions from handling psyllium have been reported since 1970. Most notably, anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a serious condition that involves respiratory tract irritation and swelling to the point of being unable to breath, which is incredibly scary because anaphylaxis can progress from bad to worse in a matter of seconds. If you’re not prepared for an attack, you may find yourself unable to breathe and in real danger. The Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland reported an incidence of psyllium sensitivity that resulted in death by way of anaphylactic shock. ^[6]

The Department of Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine reported a separate instance of a patient who had experienced rhinitis and asthma due to psyllium exposure. The severity of her symptoms progressed to a life-threatening confrontation with anaphylaxis. The doctors warned that psyllium allergies are more common than most people appreciate In other words, don’t think it can’t happen to you. ^[7]

The Safe Alternative to Dangerous Herbal Colon Cleansers

There’s no need to risk your health on dangerous herbal laxatives when far, far more gentle and safe options are available. If you need relief from constipation, or a body cleanse in general, I recommend an oxygen based colon cleanser such as Oxy-Powder. Oxy-Powder does NOT carry the side effects that accompany toxic, herbal laxatives.

References (7)

1. 
   
   1. Sonmez A, Yilmaz MI, Mas R, Ozcan A, Celasun B, Dogru T, Taslipinar A, Kocar IH. Subacute cholestatic hepatitis likely related to the use of senna for chronic constipation. Acta Gastroenterol Belg. 2005 Jul-Sep;68(3):385-7.
   
   
   2. Beuers U, Spengler U, Pape GR. Hepatitis after chronic abuse of senna. Lancet. 1991 Feb 9;337(8737):372-3.
   
   
   3. Vanderperren B, Rizzo M, Angenot L, Haufroid V, Jadoul M, Hantson P. Acute liver failure with renal impairment related to the abuse of senna anthraquinone glycosides. Ann Pharmacother. 2005 Jul-Aug;39(7-8):1353-7. Epub 2005 Jun 14.
   
   
   4. Jacobsen C, Semb S, Kromann-Andersen H. [Toxic hepatitis following consumption of the herbal medicinal product Cascara Sagrada]. Ugeskr Laeger. 2009 Nov 9;171(46):3367-9. Danish.
   
   
   5. Nadir A, Reddy D, Van Thiel DH. Cascara sagrada-induced intrahepatic cholestasis causing portal hypertension: case report and review of herbal hepatotoxicity. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000 Dec;95(12):3634-7.
   
   
   6. Khalili B, Bardana EJ Jr, Yunginger JW. Psyllium-associated anaphylaxis and death: a case report and review of the literature. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2003 Dec;91(6):579-84. Review.
   
   
   7. Vaswani SK, Hamilton RG, Valentine MD, Adkinson NF Jr. Psyllium laxative-induced anaphylaxis, asthma, and rhinitis. Allergy. 1996 Apr;51(4):266-8.
   
   

Overuse of Antibiotics Linked to Precancerous Colon Polyps

Taking antibiotics for an extended period of time in early and middle adulthood may increase your risk of developing precancerous growths called polyps in your colon, a large study suggests. [1]

The research, published in the journal Gut, adds to a growing collection of evidence that the type and diversity of gut microbes may play a significant role in the development of cancer.

Many people develop diarrhea when they take antibiotics. This is because the drug kills some of the normal gut bacteria, thus allowing an overgrowth of abnormal bacteria to dominate.

Read: Gut Health is Directly Linked to Chronic Illness, Overall Health

For the study, researchers in the U.S. tracked the health of over 120,000 nurses between the ages of 30 and 55 who took part in the Nurses Health Study that launched in 1976. The team found that between 2004 and 2010, 1,194 nurses were diagnosed with abnormal growths in the colon and rectum.

Participants who had taken antibiotics for two months or more between the ages of 20 and 39 were 36% more likely to be diagnosed with a polyp, called an adenoma, compared with those who hadn’t taken a prolonged course of antibiotics during their 20s and 30s.

Women who had taken antibiotics for two months or more during their 40’s or 50’s were 69% more likely to be diagnosed with a polyp.

Similarly, women who took antibiotics for 15 days or more between ages 20 and 39, and between ages 40 and 59, were 73% more likely to be diagnosed with an adenoma.

Source: Your Health Blog

Read: Why Probiotics are Essential if You are Taking Antibiotics

Associate Professor Graham Newstead, the head of the colorectal unit at the Prince of Wales private hospital and director of Bowel Cancer Australia, said:

“It does seem to indicate that people who have too many antibiotics might be at more risk of [sic] getting polyps than people who have less of them.

And, remembering that not all polyps turn to cancer but the cancer comes from the polyps. If you have more polyps or tendency to get polyps then maybe you are slightly more at risk of getting cancer.” [1]

The researchers wrote in the report:

“Antibiotics fundamentally alter the gut microbiome, by curbing the diversity and number of bacteria, and reducing the resistance to hostile bugs.

This might all have a crucial role in the development of bowel cancer, added to which the bugs that require antibiotics may induce inflammation, which is a known risk for the development of bowel cancer.

The findings if confirmed by other studies, suggest the potential need to limit the use of antibiotics and sources of inflammation that may drive tumor formation.” [2]

Other Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer

Occurrence of polyps in the gastrointestinal tract.

Dr. Andrew Chan, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said the study doesn’t prove that antibiotics cause polyps, only that there is a connection. [3]

And while the study looked at women, Chan said the study likely also holds true for men.

“More research needs to be done to understand the interaction between alterations in one’s gut bacteria and future risk of colorectal cancer.” [3]

There are several known risk factors for bowel cancer besides polyps, including:

• Being overweight or obese


• Not getting enough physical activity


• Diets that are high in red meat and processed meats


• Cooking meats at very high temperatures (frying, boiling, or grilling)


• Smoking


• Heavy alcohol use


• Being age 50 or older


• A personal history of colorectal cancer


• A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease


• A family history of colorectal cancer or polyps


• Certain inherited syndromes


• Being African-American or a Jew of Eastern European descent


• Having type 2 diabetes [4]

There is even some research that suggests that working a night shift regularly may increase your risk for colorectal cancer, possibly due to changes in levels of melatonin.

Sources:

[1] The Guardian

[2] BBC News

[3] WebMD

[4] American Cancer Society

Your Health Blog

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About Julie Fidler:
	Julie Fidler is a freelance writer, legal blogger, and the author of Adventures in Holy Matrimony: For Better or the Absolute Worst. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two ridiculously spoiled cats. She occasionally pontificates on her blog.