subject: Natural Colon Cleansing - Myth Or Miracle? [print this page] Natural Colon Cleansing - Myth Or Miracle?
Natural colon cleansing dates back to the ancient Egyptians and arose from their belief in auto-intoxication', a concept that food gets trapped in the intestine and decays, causing the build-up of harmful toxins. The notion fell out of favor in the early twentieth century but, one hundred years later, has a renewed popularity. The idea that our bodies cannot always rid itself of waste material, which then accumulates in the intestine, has prompted a wave of natural colon cleansing products and treatments. Does the body really require help to cleanse itself, and if so what are the best products and treatments for the job? It's a much-debated topic, and there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer but the following information should be able to help you make up your mind.
There are a host of different products, usually taken orally, designed to induce natural colon cleansing and aid the digestive process you've probably seen advertisements for them on the TV, in magazines and on the internet. These include herbal teas, natural laxatives and probiotic supplements and can be bought in health food shops, from specialist websites, in pharmacies, even from the supermarket.
Colonic irrigation could be classed as natural colon cleansing as often no chemicals are used, only water. A trained colon hygienist uses a machine to pump up to 20 gallons of water through a tube inserted into the rectum, before massaging the abdomen and then flushing out the water, along with the waste, through a separate tube. This process may be repeated several times and be performed with different pressures and temperatures.
For truly natural colon cleansing, you can't beat improving your diet increasing your intake of fruit, vegetables and fibrous foods such as cereals, bran and whole grains, and drinking enough water can help the colon to work better at flushing out compacted waste matter. You'll have the added bonus of clearer skin, weight loss and more energy to boot.
Followers of natural colon cleansing, those producing associated products and proponents of natural colon cleansing treatments claim that colon cleansers are essential to clear the colon of waste and, in doing so, boost energy, improve the immune system, lose weight and even reduce the risk of colon cancer. Some argue that natural colon cleansing isn't necessary at all, that the colon is quite capable of satisfactorily cleansing itself without any help. In fact some even believe that colon cleansing, natural or not, can actually be harmful. If you do decide to opt for colonic irrigation, ensure that you do your research and seek a clinic and practitioner that has been licensed by a nationally recognized organization. Also, as with any dietary change, seek the advice of your doctor before embarking on any kind of natural colon cleansing.
One thing is for sure - whether natural colon cleansing is necessary or not, improving your diet and drinking caffeine-free herbal teas and plenty of water is definitely a healthy change for both mind and body.
