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.

The never ending drip from the media criticizing anyone overweight with the emphasis on obesity you can't help being conscious of. What had never bothered you before seems to have developed into a serious issue and every look in the mirror upsets you.

Appetite like age, progresses in a stealthy, furtive and covert way, masking its growth. It seduces you with foods you enjoy and endlessly tempts you.

However, the time has arrived when your halfhearted efforts to change your eating habits has to be addressed. Fastening the belt is difficult and when tying a shoelace, it seems your arms have shortened or your legs have lengthened.

Bending and reaching is a strain; you find yourself wheezing when climbing stairs and huffing and puffing at the most undemanding activity.

Everything seems to be getting just a little bit scary. There is a moment when you accept that weight is lethal and you've got it!

HEALTH AND IMAGE

The twin issues of weight and image face you every time you confront the mirror. Your present acceptance of your problem means that image, so valued in this day and age, will figure in whatever direction you travel.

Your halfhearted attempts at dieting come back to haunt you. You know you could have done better, even though most of your acquaintances, engaged with you at the time, all agreed that dieting was not a solution.

Reflecting on this came the unequivocal insight into what action you must take. There had to be an enemy to defeat! That enemy, you conceded, was appetite! The unpleasant thought that appetite couldn't care less whether you lived or died fired your motivation.

You look at your problem with changed perspective; what was needed was a change of habits. A lifetime change!

Easily said. You know that it will not be so easily done. Any idea that it was going to be easy could be discounted as fanciful thinking. Appetite had been allowed to thrive through your indulgence. Now you had to control it.

It was a pretty daunting situation.

You had diagnosed the problem and you knew what you had to do. Undisputedly weight reduction begins and ends at the dining room table. You had to eat anyhow, so there was no reason why a safe, controlled program should not be adopted.

Even so, at the eleventh hour, you again go through all the soul searching and mental anguish, as you seek escape routes that would provide less pain than the confrontation you fear must come.

Eventually, you accept the inevitable and prepare to face the enemy; a foe you are determined to conquer once and for all.

The fight is on. It's Health vs. Appetite!

Your strategy is simple. You intend to eat the same foods but only half the quantity. This you do, but appetite cries out for the same amount you have been giving it for ages. You want to give it that same amount but you desperately resist. You know it is absolutely vital you withstand this period and do not cave in!

For the first few weeks you struggle desperately as nothing much happens and despondency creeps in. Then, suddenly it seems, excess flesh just falls away. Each new day bringing great joy as your strategy pays off and the fat comes off from everywhere.

People comment on how good you look and you revel in the new you. You feel a million dollars.

What's more, it registered a personal triumph; you had done it your way. You had changed your habits and defeated the enemy.

The new slim, lean you had recognized that unnecessary flesh does not just melt away, it has to be fought off and then diligently controlled with new and healthier habits.

Only this way are you able to permanently retain a lean and attractive figure.

This will not only help burn calories but combined with exercise, it will build muscle to replace the fat you are losing.

The beauty of this plan is that it is so easy to follow and doesn't involve lots of calorie counting, starvation or complex recipes. You simply stick to white meats like fish, chicken and turkey, pulses, tofu and low GI wholemeal carbs like brown rice and wholemeal bread.

You will also never be hungry which means you can really stick to it and lose the excess pounds for good. Low blood sugar is what makes you hungry and irritable but if you eat lots of low GI foods, this will keep your blood sugar levels stable and balanced.

You will have plenty of energy all day long and the hunger pangs will be kept at bay so that you don't get tempted to binge on sweet and sugary foods.

SIMPLE DIET RULES

Drink six to eight glasses of water a day. This will keep you fully hydrated and flush out the toxins in your body. It also works to keep any hunger pangs at bay. Your body often thinks it s hungry when it is actually thirsty!

Eat five or six small meals, spaced out across the day so that you eat at least every three hours.

Eat slowly and take time to chew your food. It takes about 20 minutes for your body to realize it has had sufficient food, so eating more slowly also gives your body time to recognize this.

Chewing food well aids digestion and that means your body gets all the benefit of the healthy food you are eating.

Try not to eat late in the evening. Have your last main meal no later than four hours before bedtime and if you must eat something later, have a light snack only.

Eat plenty of fibre in the form of fruit, vegetables and wholegrains to keep your digestive system working efficiently.

Swap high GI foods such as white bread and white rice for wholegrain versions such as granary bread and brown rice. This will keep blood sugar levels steady so you don't crave sweet or fatty foods.

Reduce the amount of salt you eat as it causes your body to retain water. Check food labels, particularly of ready made meals.

MENU IDEAS

Pick one meal from each section every day and have two or three snacks from the list.

These are just a few suggestions to set you off on the right track, but there are lots of other easy combinations that will work just as well.

Breakfast Options

- Poached egg on granary toast.
- Egg white omelet (4 egg whites) with mushrooms with granary toast.
- Tex Mex omelet (4 egg whites) with chopped onion, green pepper, tomato and jalapeno pepper with granary toast.
- Banana smoothie made with semi-skimmed milk and an apple.
- Low-fat yoghurt with fresh fruit salad and chopped nuts.
- 6 oz cottage cheese with granary bread or toast.
- Bran flakes with low fat milk.
- Oatmeal porridge sweetened with honey.

Lunch Options

- Grilled chicken breast with a large salad of lettuce, tomato and peppers dressed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
- Bowl of lentil soup, plus an open salmon sandwich, made with slice of wholegrain bread and tinned salmon.
- Small tuna steak, seared, served with brown rice with chopped up red and green peppers.
- Smoked turkey wholemeal wrap with tomato and
red onion salad.
- Prawn sandwich with low-fat mayo, tomato and salad leaves with a pot of low-fat fruit yogurt to follow.
- Jacket potato with cottage cheese and chopped red pepper.
- Tuna or salmon salad with oriental vegetables and chilli dressing.
- Black bean salad with oz of black beans, lettuce, tomato, cucumber dressed with low fat vinaigrette dressing.

Dinner Ideas

- Cod cooked in foil with a tablespoon of mozzarella, tomatoes and a few basil leaves, served with green beans and asparagus.
- Grilled chicken breast and mixed vegetable stir-fry.
- Tuna steak with anchovy and boiled egg salad.
- Grilled lamb chop, with steamed broccoli, peas, carrots and tsp of mint sauce.
- Salmon grilled with a drizzle of honey with oven-roasted veg.
- Grilled tofu with mixed salad of lettuce, green pepper, tomato, carrot and red onion dressed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil (1 tablespoon).
- Small grilled lean pork loin (or chop) with small jacket potato topped with low fat crème fraiche.
- Small grilled sirloin steak with broccoli, asparagus or mushrooms.

Mini-Meals and Snacks (Eat 2 or 3 per day)

- A handful of unsalted nuts.
- Small bowl of raspberries and strawberries.
- Piece of fruit such as banana, apple, pear, peach, orange, mango, papaya, melon slices.
- Two oatcakes with peanut butter.
- Low-fat yoghurt and a tangerine.
- Pot of fromage frais.
- Carrot sticks with a tablespoon of low-fat humus.

Enjoy your food and experiment with new flavors and ingredients to make your meals enjoyable and tempting.

Remember, most diets fail because they are rigid and difficult to follow. To lose weight and keep it off means a change in lifestyle and eating patterns.

The secret is to take a little time and plan out what to eat each week and then buy only what you will need for the week and keep temptation at bay.

Follow these healthy eating guidelines and you will steadily achieve your weight loss goals.

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.

Let's debunk some of those diet myths.

MYTH 1: If you're going to eat out, order a salad because it's the healthiest choice.

Sad to say, ordering a salad may not always help in your weight loss effort. It is not uncommon to be served a salad that comes with extras such as croutons, mayonnaise, cheese, ham, eggs, chicken and bacon. Don't forget the various salad dressings that lovingly drench the vegetables. Your so-called healthy salad could end up with more calories than Burger King's Bacon Cheeseburger. The salad "extras" are the culprits that raise a salad's calorie, fat and salt content by a substantial amount.

If you want a low calorie salad, pile up on the leafy greens, have a variety of vegetables, choose lean proteins such as grilled chicken, shrimp, eggs, salmon, tuna, black beans, and chickpeas. No fried or crispy stuff. Don't forget to tell the waiter you want the dressing on the side.

MYTH 2: Switching from non-organic to organic foods help you lose weight.

Oh yes, organic food is definitely healthier because it's free from harmful chemicals such as hormones, preservatives and pesticides. Consuming them makes you feel healthier and scientific evidence seems to say it is more nutritious. However, if you are talking about weight loss, organic foods don't contain lower calories than non-organic foods. There isn't less carbs or fat grams. So when it comes to weight loss, eating organic foods may not be your solution.

MYTH 3: Look for "low-fat," "non-fat," or "fat-free" foods to reduce your calories.

If you are concerned about gaining weight, you naturally look for "low-fat," "non-fat," or "fat-free" products when out shopping. Unfortunately, products with these labels do not mean they are "low-calorie" or "calorie free." You might be shocked to learn that they may contain even more, if not the same amount of calories as the normal products due to added sugar, flour or starch thickeners to enhance it's texture and taste. Therefore, with these type of products, you may not be getting the calories from the fat content but from the other contents. So be careful when you shop and check the food labels to determine the amount of calories per serving.

MYTH 4: Really cut down on your eating to drastically reduce your calories.

Eat less, go on a diet -- isn't that the first natural thing we do when we want to lose weight? But be careful that you do not go below 1200 calories per day. You'll end up losing muscle mass which in turn leads to lower metabolism. Also, you may develop other health hazards such as gallstones and digestive problems.

American Psychologist published a report that examined 31 studies of long-term diets which averaged 1200 calories per day. They discovered that most of the subjects put on weight again after 4-5 years. University of Minnesota's associate professor of psychology, Tracy Mann, was the lead author of the report and this is what she had to say, "Psychologically, it's difficult for people to adhere to strict diets over a long period because they feel deprived and hungry."

The right thing to do is to determine the right amount of calories you need. Make it a modest number so you don't find it too difficult and quit half way. This number will depend on you activity level and your weight. Consult a nutritionist to help you plan your diet. Don't just cut down on food but also change your eating habits. Make healthier choices by reducing refined foods and choosing whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, poultry, fish, beans and eggs. They have fewer calories but are very rich in nutrition.

MYTH 5: You have to quit snacking.

Actually, snacking is not forbidden when you need to lose weight. If you have an active lifestyle, snacking between meals may be a good idea. Of course, the kind of snacks you eat is important. If you're wondering about potato chips, cookies or cakes for snacks, then of course you have to quit those. Examples of good snacks are fruits, yogurt, tuna and crackers, rice cakes, vegetables, boiled peanuts, granola bars and jelly. These in between snacks help to prevent overeating during meals, maintains your energy levels and keeps your metabolism going strong. Remember, what really matters is the total calories you consumed for the day and not how you did it.

There are many theories out there on how to lose weight. Do a little homework and find out first if what you heard or read is true or not. Remember, you don't just want to lose weight temporarily. Find a way to keep your weight off permanently and stay healthy at the same time.

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.

Nutritionists agree that foods that satisfy your hunger the fastest will help you to cut down on calories. They call this the satiety value of food. Some foods are quick to satisfy hunger but are short term in the digestive system and ultimately cause us to eat more often. Foods that remain in our digestive process longer have a higher satiety value.

Foods that have a high satiety value level include: meat, milk, and fish. Examples of foods with a low satiety value level would be eggs, green vegetables, and bread. An adequate combination of the high and low satiety value level foods is your best defense in curbing your appetite while on a diet.

The following five tips will help you achieve a balance of satiety value food intake and help you curb your appetite.

1) Stop eating just short of receiving the full signal from your brain or stomach. For reasons not totally understood people that tend to put on weight easily have trouble recognizing the full signal from their brain until they have way over eaten.

2) Develop socially entertaining mental habits. Often dieters will become bored because they have few entertainment value interests and will turn to eating to fulfill this boredom. Find new hobbies or socialize with friends more to avoid this lack of entertainment stimulus.

3) Eat foods that require vigorous chewing. Generally foods that you must chew more before swallowing will stay in our digestive process longer. Foods such as meat, crisp celery, and uncooked carrots are great examples of these type of foods.

4) Do not drink too much water with meals. Drink only enough to help you swallow chewed food. Drinking more water than necessary will give you the notion you are full too soon and will be a false signal. Water remains in our digestive process the shortest of any other drink and will be quickly depleted from our system.

5) Cut down on your consumption of alcohol. Alcohol has a tendency to trick our metabolism system into believing it needs more food and sends us the hungry signal. In actual reality the body does want food to help absorb the alcohol, but often this signal is perceived as a false hungry signal instead.

These are but five quick and easy tips a dieter can follow to help keep their appetite in check. This is by no means an complete or exhaustive list of things one could do to curb their appetite. Whole books have been written on this same subject and cover this topic more in depth.

1) Eat Less. For many, this is the hardest of the three methods for losing weight. It doesn't have to be, though. How many creative and imaginative ways can you come up with to implement this weight loss secret? You could eat from a smaller plate and trick your eyes into believing you have a lot more food. There's always the multiple small bowls trick--put each food item into a tiny dish and arrange them all beautifully in front of you for a bountiful feast appearance.

The possibilities are endless. Just put on your creative hat and try something new.

2) Eat Differently. Here's where the really big payoff begins. Begin with a small change and move on from there. Try to pick something easy to begin with. Maybe you're not that fond of pretzels and wouldn't suffer too much if you quit eating them. Start there and move forward.

Some of the best things to work into your diet are to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables (or frozen if the items aren't in season), and to eat as close to the earth as possible. What the heck does that mean? It means that whatever you eat should be as close to its original form as possible, and preferably organically grown.

For example, instead of choosing a boxed rice mix, make brown rice with olive oil and sea salt for seasoning. You'll be amazed at how much better it tastes, and you'll be cutting out a lot of salt, preservatives, calories, and chemicals in the process.

Cutting out the color white from your diet is a big help as well. In other words, avoid white bread, white rice, bleached wheat products, donuts--you get the idea. These are all loaded with calories and minus nutrients. That equals a big fat (insert your own personal fat zone here).

3) Move more. Stop groaning. You don't have to train for a marathon or work out for hours a day to begin to see results from moving more. Start where you are and move forward.

Is it hard for you to walk around the block? Then start there and gradually work up to walking for 30 minutes a day. Other simple ways to move more include taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, parking further from your destination instead of in front of it, and playing with your kids outside (which would be good for everyone).

Don't stop with these suggestions, get your creative juices flowing. Remember, you only have to do three easy things to bring about a weight change.