The central idea of naturopathic medicine has always been that the digestive system is the foundation for good or bad health. In fact according to many naturopaths and traditional doctors too, a great majority of diseases found in the human body are due to improper functioning of the colon.

On the surface level symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating or flatulence, are solid indicators of a sick bowel. Colon cleansing reduces these symptoms by attacking illness at the source. Periodic colon cleansing is recommended to keep your body in optimal health.

You can essentially think of your body as a car. Your car needs to go in for periodic maintenance in order to function optimally. You get the engine flushed, oil changed, brakes adjusted etc. Our body requires the same maintenance because of the harsh world around us. The foods we consume are often processed, fatty foods laden with chemicals and therefore difficult for the body to digest. If we were to eat only natural foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, we would never have this problem.

Thus many medical professionals believe that through either colon hydrotherapy or a colon cleanse diet we can achieve better health and feel more energetic. It is believed that if left unattended, over time the partially digested fecal matter in the colon, which is too difficult for the body to digest and expel, becomes toxic and poisons the body from within.  This could potentially lead to more serious diseases such as IBS, kidney disease, colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, and many more. 

Medical advocates of coon cleansing state benefits such as: increased energy, weight loss, smoother skin, reduction of diarrhea, flatulence bloating, and a host of other unpleasant symptoms.

Yet not everyone is an advocate of colon cleansing. In fact some doctors will point out that despite its unquestioned popularity there is really no scientific evidence that supports the benefits commonly associated with colon cleansing.  Many scientists say the bowel itself is not dirty and unless you are taking certain drugs or have a certain disease, the colon cleans itself naturally without need for assistance. They believe that using outside forces to cleanse the body will wreak havoc on this natural process. Keep in mind, however, that the circumstances several years ago are different from the circumstances now. The food products today contain more preservatives and harmful chemicals-substances that should not be ingested in the first place. Since these are not natural products, the body has a difficult time flushing them out.

If you would like to do a colon cleanse talk it over with your medical practitioner to ensure that the cleansing doesn’t interfere with any medications or medical conditions you may have. And also be sure to take these simple precautions:

Make sure your colon hydrotherapy 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.
Stay well hydrated by drinking lots of fluids while undergoing colon cleansing to prevent dehydration.