Natural Colon Cleansing: Is It Necessary?

Proponents of colon cleansing believe that toxins from your gastrointestinal tract can cause a variety of health problems, such as arthritis, allergies and asthma.
They say that colon cleansing — also called colonic irrigation — removes these toxins, thus promoting healthy intestinal bacteria, boosting your energy and enhancing your immune system.
While there is little scientific evidence to support or refute the benefits of colon cleansing, critics say it’s generally unnecessary and at times may even be harmful. Although doctors prescribe colon cleansing as preparation for medical procedures such as colonoscopy, most don’t recommend it for detoxification. Their reasoning is simple: The digestive system and bowel naturally eliminate waste material and bacteria — your body doesn’t need enemas or special diets or pills to do this.
One concern with colon cleansing is that it can increase your risk of dehydration. A potentially more serious concern is that certain laxatives used in colon cleansing, such as those with sodium phosphate, can cause a rise in your electrolytes, which can be dangerous if you have kidney disease or heart disease.
If you choose to do colon cleansing, be sure to take these simple precautions:
Check with your conventional medical providers first, especially if you take any medications or have any health problems. Make sure your colon-cleansing practitioner uses disposable equipment that hasn’t been previously used. Get a list of specific herbal ingredients and amounts in any colon-cleansing products you use — some herbal supplements can cause health problems.
Beware of broad or inflated claims that colon cleansing will cure an illness or improve your health.
Stay well hydrated by drinking lots of fluids while undergoing colon cleansing to prevent dehydration.

What is the goal of natural colon cleansing?
The health claims made by producers of colon cleansing products and colon irrigation practitioners are broad and wide reaching. Their main goal is to clear the colon of large quantities of stagnant, supposedly toxic waste encrusted on colon walls. Doing so, they claim, will enhance the vitality of the body.
Other stated goals include:
• improving mental outlook
• improving the immune system
• losing weight
• reducing the risk of colon cancer

In most of these cases, no quality research has been done to tell whether or not a colon cleansing is helpful.

Is natural colon cleansing needed?
Are bowel movements enough to clear the colon? Or is it true that the only thing that can really clear the colon is a colon cleanser? It is likely the colon doesn’t need this kind of help. Here are some reasons why:
• Natural bacteria in the colon detoxify food wastes.
• The liver also neutralizes toxins.
• Mucus membranes in the colon keep unwanted substances from reentering the blood and tissues.
• The colon sheds old cells about every three days, preventing a buildup of harmful material.
• The normal number of bowel movements varies from person to person. It may be as often as a few times a day or as little as a few times a week.
• Increasing the number of bowel movements doesn’t improve weight loss. That’s because the body absorbs most calories before they reach the large intestine.

Are there risks associated with natural colon cleansing?
Remember that “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean safe. The government doesn’t regulate natural colon cleansing products, so their potency, safety, and purity can’t be guaranteed. And, each state has its own rules about whether or not practitioners must be professionally licensed.
If you do decide to see a colon-cleansing therapist, choose one who is licensed by a recognized national organization and who follows that organization’s standards. It’s always a good idea to talk with your primary health provider before starting a new practice such as colon cleansing.
Although the risk becomes greater the more often you have a colon cleanse, a review of similar procedures, such as enemas and sigmoidoscopies, suggests the risk of severe effects is low when colon irrigations are performed by trained personnel with the right equipment. In Britain, where practitioners carry out 5,600 colon irrigations each month, no serious side effects have been reported.
However, there are some potential side effects:
• vomiting, nausea, cramps
• dizziness, a sign of dehydration, which can cause mineral imbalances
• strings of mucus, a sign the body views the cleanser as a toxin
• potential interactions with medications
• bowel perforation
• infection
• What you eat — not what you flush through your colon — may have the greatest impact on colon health, lowering your risk of colon cancer and enhancing your overall health.
• Increasing fiber can help with a wide range of gastrointestinal problems, including constipation, diverticular disease, and colorectal cancer. The typical American consumes 10-15 grams a day, but you need closer to 20-35 grams. Add sources of both insoluble fiber, such as cereal and whole grains, and soluble fiber, such as bran, fruit, vegetables, and oatmeal.
• Also, drink plenty of fluids, but drink alcohol in moderation. Avoid tobacco and limit red meat. And, of course, get screened for colon cancer beginning at age 50, or earlier if your doctor advises.

Michael Picco, M.D. With Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, Matthew Hoffman, MD