There’s nothing glamorous about colon cleansing, the name for a group of therapies designed to flush your bowels. But still, there’s plenty of hype around it. Colon cleansers promise to eliminate the wastes in our stomachs and make us healthier. (Often, the theory goes, wastes have been in our intestines for months and even years.) Oxygen-based cleansers, colon irrigations, herbal supplements, enemas and laxatives, are used for the procedure.
A colon cleanse can be done via colonic irrigation – a procedure similar to an enema. Some people choose oral ingestion of dietary supplements or herbs.
Its proponents say it may help make your metabolism more active and temporarily eliminate the feeling of ‘bloating.’ They also claim that it results in temporary weight loss and may get rid of chronic headaches, constipation and fatigue. Finally, it’s said to regulate bowel movements.
But before you decide to have the procedure, there are some things to take into consideration. There are some common mild side effects associated with colon cleansing, including diarrhea, dehydration, and for some people, fatigue. Occasionally there are allergic reactions to the ingredients in the cleanse products. As with regular over-the-counter laxatives, there is a risk of dependency so that a bowel movement isn’t possible on your own.
