Colon Cleanse Products and Procedures: Are They Necessary?

The colon cleanse market is alive and thriving with pills, supplements, drinks, and procedures that feature manual colon cleansing with everything from probiotics to coffee. With all of these being advertised, you may be wondering if a colon cleanse is something you need for optimal health. The answer depends on who you ask.

Proponents of colon cleansing say that it helps your body eliminate everything from old feces to parasites. This total elimination rids the body of toxin-retaining waste, according to some, which ensures that it doesn't seep back into the blood stream through the colon walls. The same people also say that waste build up in the colon can prohibit proper absorption of water and can allow growth of harmful bacteria. When all of these things occur, colon cleanse advocates say your body becomes robbed of vitality and develops any number of health problems ranging from allergies to an inability to lose weight. They also say that while early man was able to expel all of his waste unassisted, the unhealthy diets of today create more waste than the body can possibly remove.

Many medical experts argue against this, noting that the colon regularly sheds dead cells and whatever is accumulated on them. Doctors also argue that regular bowel movements are sufficient in removing the lion's share of waste in the lower intestine. Most support a patient's choice to use an oral supplement for additional cleansing, provided that there are no other health issues that would make it unsafe. However, they often have concerns about the risks associated with some colon cleanse procedures, which include dehydration and imbalance of bacteria in the colon.

If you're considering a colon cleanse, it's important to talk to your doctor first. This helps to ensure that whatever medical issue you'd like to address is properly diagnosed and treated.