Colon Cleansing Detox–Real Science Or Just Hype?

If you’ve ever sat up watching the late night infomercials that have become so widespread,  then you’ve no doubt seen,  or at least heard about colon cleansing detox programs.  These programs claim to be a natural and safe way to remove toxins from your body.  They claim to aid in weight loss as well as boost immunity.  I have also heard claims about the benefits of colonic irrigation.  These claims caught my attention and I decided to do some research of my own.  So are these colon cleansing programs real science or just hype?

Enemas and Colonics

Some of the most popular colon cleansing detox programs involve enemas and colonic irrigation.  In these procedures,  a device is used to inject a fluid solution into the colon by entering through the rectum.  The fluid used may be plain water,  or a mixture of water and herbs,  and in some instances even coffee.

The theory behind these colonic detox programs is that food and other toxins get stuck in the colon where they rot and introduce harmful substances to the human body.  The claim is that colonic irrigation and enemas clear these substances out.  Though an enema may be beneficial for someone who is severely constipated,  I have seen no evidence that a healthy person would benefit from this procedure.  The normal bowel transit time for the average person is between 12 and 24 hours.

There are also risks involved with enemas and colonic irrigation.  Excessive use of these procedures may cause an imbalance in the level of electrolytes in the human body.  Improper sterilization practices can cause infection,  and improper insertion can cause tears in the rectum or colon.  Excessive irrigation may also cause a decline in the beneficial bacteria that live in all of our colons.  It should be noted however that many people swear by these treatments.

Herbal Colon Cleansing Programs

The second and most common type of colon cleansing detox are the herbal programs.  These formulas contain a wide array of natural,  mostly herbal products.  The intended effect of these programs is very much the same as mentioned above with enemas and colonics.  The idea is to flush out toxins and excess waste material.

The vast majority of ingredients in these products are natural laxatives and bulking agents including soluble and insoluble fiber.  Many of the better ones also contain a digestive enzyme and a probiotic.  Healthy intestinal bacteria is essential for digestive health,  as is fiber.

Many people in the western world are no doubt constipated and could benefit greatly from a product that induces regular bowel movements.  Being constipated makes you feel tired and irritable,  it can make your belly protrude,  it bloats you up and makes you retain water.  Though some claims on infomercials are rather hyped up,  there are definitely benefits to bowel regularity.  You probably will lose a couple of pounds.  You probably will experience increased energy.  You will definitely feel better.  But some of the claims are more dubious,  and I will explain more in the next paragraph.

Mucoid Plaque

If you’ve read up on the subject of colon cleansing detox at all,  you may have heard the term mucoid plaque.  Proponents of this theory claim that mucoid plaque is a substance that consists of mucous,  toxins,  and rotting food matter that builds up on the walls of your intestines.  On the infomercials and some websites they will show you diagrams and pictures of this “mucoid plaque.”  But anybody can draw a diagram.  And who knows what those pictures are actually of.

I have looked,  and have found no evidence that this mysterious substance even exists.  Billions of autopsies have been performed,  countless pictures from colonoscopies are available for inspection.  So where is this mysterious substance?  In fact,  it seems  nobody has been able to find it.  So does this mean that colon cleansing products are worthless,  I don’t think so.

Parasites

Many colon cleansing detox products make a claim of anti-parasite activity.  This is one area where I was pleasantly surprised.  I found several credible,  well referenced articles which listed herbs with natural anti-parasite activity.  I found several of these herbs listed as ingredients in some of the cleansing products I reviewed.  If you think you may have an intestinal parasite,  please see a licensed physician about fecal testing.

Symptoms of Parasites

Though most people show no symptoms from parasites,  here are some of the more common ones:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Gas or bloating
• Dysentery (loose stools containing mucus and blood)
• Rash or itching around the rectum
• Stomach pain
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Passing a parasite in your stool

Anti-Parasite Herbs

Here is a list of some popular anti-parasite herbs,  there are many more.  Many of these are contained in popular colon cleansing products.

• Garlic (Allium sativum)
• Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
• Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
• Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium)
• Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
• Wormwood (Artemisia annua)
• Curled mint (Mentha crispa)
• Black walnut (Juglans nigra)

Diet may also play a role in making the digestive tract a less hospitable place for parasites.  Avoid refined sugars and starches.  Consume foods high in fiber as well as fermented foods.

Conclusion

So is colon cleansing detox real,  or is it hype?  I’ll leave that to you to decide,  but in my opinion it’s a little bit of both.  Though I doubt the existence of mucoid plaque,  anything that promotes regularity is a good thing as long as it doesn’t cause diarrhea.  The probiotics and digestive enzymes included in most are definitely beneficial. And the anti-parasite effects are promising.  Just don’t expect to drop 20 pounds in a week.  Also please remember that a proper diet is essential.