Colon cleansing is a method to rid the body of built up toxins in the bowel. There are a variety of methods for carrying out these cleanses and most doctors and medical health practitioners would agree that when done correctly the majority of these cleanses are not only safe but highly beneficial. Yet, whether you use a cleansing supplement or colon hydrotherapy, it is important to be informed about their effects and overall safety.

Most colon cleansing supplements are all natural pills taken daily that have herbs in them to encourage bowel movements and rid the body of solid fecal matter, cleanse the intestine and often times other important organs in the body such as the kidneys or liver, and get rid of parasites or other deadly toxins. These pills also often contain natural food ingredients such as fiber which provides bulk for stools to be passed more efficiently Fiber ingredients found commonly in colon cleanse supplements include oat bran, ground flax seeds, or prune juice. These types of ingredients are usually safe as these are naturally occurring components found in foods.

Beware of certain colon cleanse supplements which contain strong laxatives that can irritate the lining of the colon to force it to initiate movement of the muscles. This wave-like action removes the irritating substance and expels any waste present in the colon. Over time, this artificial stimulation can degrade the muscle’s natural strength and ability to operate on its own. Not to mention that strong laxatives can cause dehydration or even more importantly could create imbalances in important electrolytes. Either of these conditions alone can be dangerous, but together they can create serious health consequences. Other laxatives to avoid include kava, senna or any ingredients that have no available information.

Also, when undergoing colon hydrotherapy while the actual procedure is gentle and should not cause discomfort or irritation of the bowel, it is important to keep other safety issues to keep in mind. First is that the plastic tube inserted into the rectum needs to be sterile to prevent the risk of infection. You should also ensure that the practitioner administering the irrigation is a trained specialist.

And regardless of the supplement or method, it is wise to remember no colon cleanse should be taken indefinitely, as prolonged use of these cleanses can prevent your body from having regular natural bowel movements.

Colon cleanses are meant to help clean the intestine and get the body functioning optimally on its own. Ideally, you should cleanse the colon one to two times per year to help keep toxins from building up. And of course use your own judgment in choosing the cleanse that works best for you.