There is a school of thought that believes that colon cleansing (aka colonics or colon hydrotherapy) can help prevent colorectal cancer by cleaning out bacteria, mucus and toxins that have been building up or have been impacted for years.
The problem is that this just isn't true - there is absolutely NO evidence that colon cleansing does anything good - and there is plenty to show that it can definitely hurt you. And it is kind of silly to think that things "build up" or become "impacted" in your colon - it is exactly the opposite because the job of your colon is to get rid of all of that! As far back as the 1920s, surgeons have noted no fecal or mucosal buildup in the colon, and that stands true today.
There are two primary ways to "cleanse" - with a dietary supplement (either liquid or powder), or through the use of enemas. Either way you go, there are a lot of potential problems that you might experience:
- there is "good" bacteria in your colon that is there on purpose, so your colon may have trouble working correctly if you remove the bacteria
- your body can absorb too much water, causing a chemical imbalance that can cause vomiting or more serious problems like heart failure and fluid on your lungs
- even "natural" cleansing things, like senna, can be very harsh and cause GI irritation and mineral/chemical imbalances
- repeated use of cleansing (supplements or enemas) can cause permanent damage to the muscles in your colon, which causes incontinence, and this means you could permanently lose control of your bowels (yuck!)
As a last caution, the FDA does not regulate colon cleansing supplements, so there is no way to know what you are actually getting. This also means that claims made about health don't have to be supported by scientific evidence.
Mark, please be extremely cautious - this really can hurt you. If you are constipated or having other problems "down there" you need to see a doctor - there are medical remedies that work without harming you.
Hannah
Hannah K. Vogler
Co-Founder, The Colon Club
cousin of Amanda Sherwood Roberts
dx 1/99 Stage III at age 24
died January 1, 2002 at age 27