Is Colon Cleansing Safe?

Well, the answer is generally that colon cleansing is usually safe provided certain basic precautions are taken such as making sure that the person having the cleansing done does not suffer from dehydration since colon cleansing removes quite a bit of liquids from the body as well as the unwelcome solids; other problems can ensue if the intestine gets perforated or damaged by any tubes that are inserted with the purpose of gently spraying some warm water into the large intestine. It is quite common for cleansing programs or commercial formulas to recommend that the patient has a period of fasting for several days but with drinking plenty of liquids such as water or herbal teas. Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided due to their dehydration properties.

It does not generally seem that the medical profession are prepared to recommend the use of colon cleansing unless the patient has certain health problems which would merit it. Perhaps Doctors have a natural disdain of anything which might be considered as natural or homeopathic remedies, or perhaps they have a better knowledge of matters of the gut; who knows what is the right answer but the best thing is probably to go by your own gut feeling and take adequate precautions. Certainly never exceed recommended doses of any pills or formulas that you might buy, and limit colon cleansing to perhaps only once a year to allow the body to generally cope itself with the elimination of waste matter from the gut.

Can Colon Cleansing help in the battle against Obesity?

Quite large quantities of waste matter, toxins, mucus, and bacteria can be removed from the large intestine when colonic irrigation is applied and so this naturally results in some immediate weight loss and some people have reported losing several pounds afterward; but a lot of this weight loss is down to water which needs to be replaced anyway, and this procedure is something that shouldn't be applied frequently; it is rather like taking something regularly for constipation –before long the body becomes lazier and you need to always take the medicine. Regular and frequent flushing of the colon results in a loss of many of the beneficial bacteria of the gut and each colonic irrigation carries some risks with it.

It should be noted that the author of this article does not have medical qualifications and anybody who is interested in colonic irrigation should do plenty of research and talk to their own Doctor before taking on any course of treatment.

Studies have reported that as early as the age of three the stomachs of many children are already in a state of shock from what they are forced to process. While it usually takes a few years for symptoms to appear, the assault started long before.

Besides the affect of unhealthy food choices and chemical ingestion, the stomach and digestive system as a whole is hard-hit from the impact of life's daily stress. Since our body systems are intertwined, a blow in one area ripples into the others.

As the digestive system becomes impaired in its ability to process all that is sent its way, toxins start to build up in the body. As a survival mechanism the body then starts to gain mass to reduce the percentage of total body toxicity, storing the toxins in the fat cells. This then tends to push people to start dieting, which for many is the beginning of a frustrating loop of weight loss and weight gain – determination and disappointment.

The body really does not care how much it weighs. It is most concerned with how its systems are functioning and will spend its energy coming to the aid of any system working at a sub-optimum level. Since fat loss requires so much energy, there is none available for it if some system is out of order.

So, the key to permanent weight loss is to get to the root of the problem, which for many is going to be getting their stomach out of the state of shock and back to operating at its full potential. While this can take some time, many will see results quickly when they start to provide their bodies with premium fuel: whole foods with live enzymes that the body can easily and readily assimilate for its essential processes.

To adequately provide your body with good nutrition, the whole foods should include a variety of colors and should incorporate different tastes such as bitter, sweet, sour, salty, astringent (cranberries and tea) and pungent (hot, spicy).

Once the body nourishes its systems back to health, it will then have the energy to focus on weight loss. As you nourish your body with nutrient-packed food, it will at some point turn its attention to the removal of the toxins that are stored in the fat. As those toxins are released, the body will shed the fat and you will effortlessly return to your natural healthy weight.

Do not beat yourself up if you have tried dieting and have been unsuccessful; instead turn your attention to finding ways to nourish your body with superior nutrition, then watch what your body will do for you.

This summary comparison will focus on two broad categories. Chemical and Natural.

Chemical based products, which has two sub-categories, prescription only and "over the counter", include:-

Dermal patches which pass chemicals through your skin to change your thyroid activity.

Pills which claim to block your body's absorption of carbohydrates by changing the way you digest them.

Pills which block your body from absorbing fat and oil, allowing it to pass through your digestive system.

Pills which use caffeine to boost your metabolism.

Pills which claim to imitate your brain's signals to make your brain think your stomach is full.

People often turn to chemical based diet products looking for a "quick fix", however as you can see from the summary above, these products interfere in some way or another with your body's natural processes. In addition, by definition, they involve adding chemicals to your body.

We are all individuals and have our own particular metabolism and chemistry, so the effects of these chemical based diet products can be unpredictable. Unpleasant and even dangerous side effects have been reported by many people.

Chemical based diet products do not aim to provide you with any nutritional benefit, in fact they often aim to interrupt your body's absorption of nutrients.

Natural diet products do not require any prescription. They are food. Natural diet products include:-

Green Tea. Green tea's health benefits are undisputed. Hundreds of years of usage have proven the benefits which have now been backed by scientific studies. Green tea adds nutrition to your diet, with high levels of antioxidants, catechins, flavonoids, vitamins and minerals. The natural ingredients in green tea promotes thermogenesis and naturally boost your metabolic rate causing you burn calories faster.

Hoodia Gordonii a cactus plant from Africa which is proven to suppress appetite. So you simply eat less.

Acai Berries (euterpe oleraceae) -a dark purple berry from an Amazonian palm tree which is now known as one of the top ten superfoods. Acai berries are proven to be rich in minerals, vitamins, including natural vitamin E, fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, oleic (omega-9) fatty acids, antioxidants (including anthocyanidins), phytosterols and polyphenols. Acai berries, available as a juice product or in convenient capsule form, help you lose weight by detoxifying your system, eliminating built up waste and reducing water retention.

Maqui Berries (aristotelia chilensis) – a new superfood discovery from Patagonia. Maqui (pronounced mah-key) berries are like Acai berries on steroids. They have more than twice the antioxidant ORAC score of Acai berries. ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity)is a measure of a foods ability to neutralize damaging free radicals.

Chlorella – is a microscopic dark green algae superfood nutrient source. Is is 60% protein with all 8 essential amino acids, has 23 vitamins and minerals and a special ingredient called Chlorella Growth Factor which supplies RNA and DNA. It's superior nutritional qualities reduce food cravings which can cause over-eating. Additionally, chlorella's fibrous cell wall has the ability to remove heavy metals from your system.

Spirulina – a blue-green algae which is considered to be a whole food. Spirulina provides total nutrition, so like chlorella it nourishes your body so you don't feel the need to eat junk foods or overeat.

This summary comparison clearly shows which group is the most beneficial to your body. The products you select to help you lose weight will be your individual choice. Do your self a favor – choose wisely.

One very popular result of cleansing diets is that they help people lose weight very fast. This is most likely due to a combination of factors. One of the main things that happens during a cleansing diet is that quite often you get a release of waste from your colon. This waste may have been impacted or lodged there for some time. This release of waste will cause a loss of weight when you weigh yourself.

However, another more common factor that causes weight loss during a cleansing diet is that the person doing the cleanse is changing their diet to one that contains more fresh fruits and vegetables. When raw fruits and vegetables are the bulk of a person's diet rapid weight loss often occurs. Fruits and vegetables are full of fiber and many fruits and vegetables are low calorie with a high water content. This helps the person doing the cleanse to feel full, eat less, and feel satisfied.

Besides fast weight loss, some other great results that have been reported after doing a cleansing diet are:

Overall health improvement — less achiness in joints and bones, better and more restful sleep at night, and more clear thinking (not foggy or clouded).

Mild depression can dissipate — for many cleansing diet has been found to restore a zest for living.

Younger looking body, skin and face -- a nice side effect of many people enjoy after a cleansing diet is that their skin has a new refreshing glow. Their appearance may appear more rested rather than previously haggard and drawn. A cleansing diet can be a great way to rejuvenate your body and have more energy. It gives your body a clean slate on which to build a more healthy way of life. Even if you're not ready to commit to a cleansing diet, simply adding more raw fruits and vegetables to your daily diet will flood your body with pure nutrition. Your body loves to get "real food" to eat each day. So give it a whole fresh food treat often!

As always, if you're not in good health or you have a serious medical problem, be sure to check with your doctor before beginning a cleansing diet.

Toxins

Toxins, especially drugs, can damage or destroy beneficial bacteria, allowing harmful bacteria to take over producing by-products like ammonia, purines, and ethionine, which can cause cancer. Toxins are more prevalent today today than they have ever been before. This coupled with waste build up in the colon just like they do in the pipes of your home. Advocates for colon cleansing believe that it provides health benefits by removing these toxins from their bodies, and boosting their energy and immune systems. If you don't purge your body yourself of these toxins on a regular basis, toxemia gets worse and worse, until the body cannot take anymore. The body then purges itself in the forms of such problems as diarrhea, pimples, acne, liver spots, boils, bad odor and perspiration, bad breath, etc. The body finally gives up the battle and succumbs to cancer, heart disease, tuberculosis, and other fatal conditions.

Benefits

I believe that there are many benefits of colon cleansing. These benefits not only include health benefits, but also in how it relates to ones appearance as the skin looks more vibrant; blemishes, cellulite, and water retention disappear; and the whites of the eyes regain a youthful clearness. Some of the potential benefits of a colon cleansing may include a decrease in gas or bloating, more radiant skin and hair, and an overall slimmer appearance. Other benefits that people claim after the cleansing include the alleviation of menstrual pain, migraines, joint pain, skin problems, weight loss, breast cysts, sinus congestion, improved concentration, and many others. If you have ever been diagnosed with any of these problems, it would be foolish not to proceed with some type of cleansing program because the benefits far exceed the risks. Colon cleansers can help restore bodies to their optimum function, thus increasing the nutritional benefits that our bodies receive from the food that is digested.

Colon cleansing is preventive health care and there is no better place to rid your body of toxins that can cause many illnesses. It is a safe and effective alternative to problems that normally can only be treated with medication. A healthy colon is essential to good health, which makes colon cleansing a must. Unlike many natural therapies, colon cleansing just makes a lot of sense to have by everyone.