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Benfits of Colon Cleansing

Benefits of colon cleansing - senior and medicine

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The benefits of colon cleansing are debated. Cleansing is also called colonic irrigation. Some say that this process can remove toxins from your body. These toxins are said to cause all kinds of health problems, including allergies, asthma, and colon cancer.

Other people say that cleaning your colon too often could actually hurt you. There's a lot of confusing information out there. It can be hard to tell which point of view is the right one when it comes to colon cleansing. Let's take a look at what people have to say.

What People Say About The Benefits Of Colon Cleansing

People who think that colon cleansing is a good choice for health say it dates back to ancient Greece and has been done all through history. Colon cleansing in the US was very popular in the 1920s and 1930s. Then the theories it was based on became outdated and less popular. The modern return of this process has been around for a few years, but not many studies have been done on colon cleansing. That makes it hard to tell if it has real benefits.

Modern colon cleansing is often done with a machine and is done by a specialist. It works a lot like an enema but uses more water and is more comfortable. There should be no smell. Water and waste are flushed out through a separate tube. Sessions take about an hour and many people say they feel a lot better afterward.

The theory is that food and other materials can cause the build up of toxins in the colon. These toxins then enter the bloodstream and poison the body. Toxins are supposed to be responsible for headaches, tiredness and even weight gain. They're also supposed to damage the liver and other organs over time. The goal of colon cleansing is to get rid of them before they can hurt you.

When Doctors Prescribe Colon Cleansing

There's no argument about the benefits of colon cleansing before a colonoscopy or other medical procedure. But many critics say that doing it at other times is generally unnecessary. Most doctors recommend it before a medical procedure. What they don't recommend it for is detoxification. This is because our digestive systems are naturally put together to get rid of waste and other substances that could cause problems for us. Special pills and treatments aren't required. Some of them could even cause you harm if you use them too often.

Why Not To Choose Colon Cleansing

Some people use a colonic irrigation to deal with constipation. Think about your other options first if you're thinking about having one done because you have this problem. We know that diet and colon cancer are linked. People who eat a low fiber diet and don't drink enough water are more likely to get colon cancer than people who eat a healthy diet and stay hydrated.

A poor diet is also linked to constipation. Getting enough exercise can also affect your risk and your constipation problems. Constipation happens less often in people who have strong abdominal muscles. That means that adding a daily jog could help fix the problem.

"You could suffer some real health problems if you overuse colon irrigation"

Getting a colon cleanse for constipation may help you get rid of the symptoms, but it won't fix the underlying problem. You could be at real risk if you eat a poor diet and colon cancer runs in your family. There's a reason that doctors prescribe a special diet for cancer patients. Don't rely on colon cleansing if you want to reduce your risk of developing colon cancer. There are other things you need to do.

You could suffer some real health problems if you overuse colonic irrigation, using it occasionally probably isn't a problem, but too much could increase your risk of dehydration. Use of laxatives to cleanse your colon could also increase electrolyte levels. This is dangerous for people with heart or kidney disease.

Make sure you stay safe if you do choose to use colonic cleansing. Talk to your doctor about your plans. Ask whether colon cleansing could interfere with any medications you're currently taking. Find out if you have any health problems that it could make worse.

Then check out the practitioner who will be giving your irrigation. Make certain that he or she is using disposable equipment that is never re-used. Ask for a list of all the ingredients in your colon cleansing products. Even herbal ingredients could cause health problems.

Written by Grace Palmer - 9/10/09

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