Kevin Agrawal asked:


If you have a problem with constipation, which option would you choose to remedy the situation?

Over The Counter (OTC) laxative drugs, enemas or purgatives?

Colon hydrotherapy?

Oxygen-based colon cleansers?

Herbal colon cleansers?

OTC laxative drugs usually take about eight to twelve hours to work their way through your system. They are usually taken with warm water the night before so that you experience results by morning. Colon Hydrotherapy needs to be conducted by a skilled technician using highly sterilized equipment. Oxygen-based colon cleansers (which use the oxidation process to "loosen" matter) may work for many, but they do not contain fiber which science has established, as necessary for optimal colon health1. All three of these methods cleanse only the colon—with no viable result on overall health. They do not help to enhance the performance of other eliminatory organs such as the liver, the kidneys, and skin.

Experts say herbal colon cleansers are the better choice because they aid the body in performing the elimination process naturally. They also help to support immune health because they help to maintain a balanced microflora2. Because they are herbal, these colon cleansers are not under the direct supervision of the FDA, but consumers who do their homework will recognize strong natural ingredients and be able to choose a reliable, quality product manufactured by a GMP-certified company.

When making your choice of a colon cleanser, remember these safety tips.

Don’t Become Dehydrated: The body loses fluids when using over–the-counter stimulant laxative drugs and purgatives. These colon cleansers work by absorbing water from the body. This could upset the balance of potassium, sodium, magnesium and phosphorous in the body and can affect the function of vital organs. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration when using any colon cleanser.

Avoid Addictive Colon Cleansers: Some colon cleansing methods simply purge the body of accumulated waste without engaging the peristaltic muscles of the colon (the muscles used to move food along the digestive tract, and ultimately to disposal). Prolonged use of such colon cleansers causes peristaltic muscles to lose their natural ability to contract leading to greater dependence on laxative drugs. There are a growing number of people who use laxative drugs as a means to lose weight. This is not safe and can present a number of health risks.

Don’t Wash Out Good Bacteria: Prolonged use of OTC laxative drugs and colon hydrotherapy treatment can lead to a weakened immune system since such treatments wash out necessary bacteria and the protective mucus lining. Good bacteria are needed to produce certain nutrients, immune cells and to maintain the colon health. 2

Consult your Doctor: If you suffer from frequent bouts of constipation or diarrhea you should consult your doctor who may want to perform a thorough examination. Ask your doctor about taking a colon cleansing product that adequately suits your needs.

Pregnant and Nursing Women are advised not to wait until after nursing before taking any medications since certain ingredients could harm or adversely affect baby’s delicate health. Such women should consult their doctors before taking any type of medication.

Allergen Sensitivities: Always check if the product contains gluten or other allergens that could trigger a reaction. Many colon cleansers are gluten free and allergen sensitive. Check for these and consult your doctor before taking any colon cleanser.

Colon Cleansing and Prescription Medicine: If you are taking prescription medicine, you should consult with your doctor before starting a colon cleanser program. Ingredients found in certain colon cleansers could effect, react with or dilute the efficacy of the prescription drug.

Medical Conditions: If you are suffering from diabetes do not use laxatives which could contain dextrose, fructose or sucrose–ingredients found in many natural laxatives. If you are suffering from an inflamed appendix or have a fever, or are suffering from vomiting, nausea, or other maladies or health disorders, it is advisable that you do not use a colon cleanser unless it is recommended by your doctor.

Safety for Children: Colon cleansers are not intended for children. Do not administer a colon cleanse product to your child without consulting your doctor first. Keep colon cleansers and other medicines away from the reach of children. Many laxative drugs come in the form of chocolates or flavored syrups which can be very tempting to children.

Proper Storage: Many colon cleansers require you to store them in a cool, dry place or keep them refrigerated. Read the instructions on the label and follow through on them for efficacy of ingredients.

Follow Instructions Carefully: There are colon cleansing programs that require restrictions on your diet. Some may even require you to fast. Others simply require you to drink 8 glasses of water. Read through all instructions carefully and follow them closely. Colon cleansing products will also include contraindications on the labels. Be careful to check if any of contraindications apply to your particular situation. Again,—it is important that you consult your doctor before choosing a colon cleansing method.

Safety is vital when choosing a colon cleansing product. A reliable, trusted manufacturer will ensure a quality product with ingredients that are safe for your body. Study the ingredients and how they work in the body. Many herbs have been studied extensively in recent research studies. The main aim of colon cleansing is not only to provide safe and immediate relief from constipation, but to aid in regulating your system for natural cleansing and elimination of waste.. Nutritional colon cleansing can help to strengthen the functions of the eliminatory organs, thus supporting optimal general health.

References:

Vopr Pitan. 1998 ;(1):39-42. Dietary fibers in diet therapy. PMID: 9606867 Infection and Immunity. 1973 July; 8(1): 30-35. Effect of Colon Flora and Short-Chain Fatty Acids on Growth In Vitro of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae. Department of Medicine, The Medical College of Pennsylvania, and the Philadelphia Veterans Administration Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129.

The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center asked:


Colon cleanser tablets are an excellent way to keep your colon clean and healthy. To ensure good results and to keep your body safe, you need to know how to select the right colon cleanser tablets from the many available on the market.

Reasons for Using Colon Cleanser Tablets

As the name implies, colon cleanser tablets are used to clean out the colon. Cleansing the colon should be a part of your regular health routine to help keep your overall health at its optimum level.

You may be surprised to realize the importance of the colon regarding overall health. The reasons are very simple. In response to the foods you eat, your colon naturally produces mucus and sludge to protect itself during the digestive process. The more unhealthy foods you eat, the more mucus and sludge your colon produces. Unfortunately, this mucus and sludge tends to become built up on the inner colon wall and makes it difficult for waste to pass through. Thereafter, constipation may develop.

In addition to causing constipation, the accumulated sludge releases toxins into your bloodstream. These toxins spread throughout your body, causing your immune system to weaken, ultimately leading to many illnesses such as allergies, skin rashes, and general fatigue.

To help keep the colon clean and prevent the spread of toxins within your system, you should use colon cleanser tablets. Using the right colon cleansing tablets will flush out your system and remove the waste from the walls of your colon.

Selecting Colon Cleansing Tablets

If you have been searching for colon cleansing tablets already, you have probably discovered literally dozens of different tablets are available. How are you supposed to determine which colon cleanser tablets are right for you?

You should consider several factors when shopping for colon cleanser tablets. The first thing you need to consider is whether or not the colon cleanser tablets are oxygen-based. Oxygen-based colon cleansers, such as Oxy-Powder®, are capable of liquefying the waste built up on your colon wall. This allows it to be released more easily from your body while also leaving your colon cleansed and healthy.

Many colon cleanser tablets can be detrimental to your health. For example, colon cleanser tablets relying on a laxative effect should be avoided. These types of colon cleanser tablets do not actually cleanse the colon. Rather, they soften the stool that was going to be released anyway. As a result, the mucus and sludge that has built up on your colon walls is not removed. Also, your colon can become dependent upon the supplement, which means you will not be able to eliminate waste properly unaided. On the other hand, oxygen-based colon cleanser tablets are not addictive.

You also need to be careful to select colon cleansing tablets made with fresh ingredients. To save money, some manufacturers use ingredients that are nearly expired or they use parts of plants containing less of the active ingredient than the actual source. This results in tablets that are not potent or that do not provide the proper effect. In some cases, the ingredients may expire and can actually upset your colon or make your digestive problems worse.

Colon cleansing tablets including a variety of ingredients are more effective than those relying on a single ingredient. In fact, some single ingredient colon cleansing tablets can be too abrasive and can damage your digestive system. Those colon cleansing tablets (made solely from Psyllium husks for example) can be detrimental if used too frequently.

Recognizing When Colon Cleansing Tablets are Effective

There are a number of ways to determine whether or not your colon cleansing tablets are effective. First, the appearance of your stool can help you determine if you are achieving success. If your colon cleanser tablets are cleansing the mucus from your colon, you will notice that your stool is shiny. It will probably be dark in color as well, which will help you differentiate between colon cleanser tablets that cause diarrhea and those that are actually cleansing the colon.

You may also lose some weight after using quality colon cleansing tablets. This weight is not fat. Rather, it is weight lost from finally emptying the accumulated waste from your colon. Some people lose as much as 20 pounds after cleansing their colons. Even if you don’t lose weight, most people feel lighter after a successful colon cleansing.

Colon cleansing tablets are beneficial to your digestive system as well as your body. Just choose the right tablets in order to obtain the results you desire.

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