Colon Cleanse Scam

Is there a colon cleanse scam, or is there a sound scientific basis for cleaning out your colon or is it just money down the toilet?

You won't find a consistent answer to this question as the whole topic is up for debate. A lot of holistic practitioners believe a 'clean' colon is necessary for emotional and physical wellbeing.

However many medical professionals will tell you that colon cleansing is not necessary for good health, and in fact, can do more harm to the body than good.

There are also some claims that 'cleansing' will increase the effectiveness of a diet that follows the cleanse.

However remember that after a cleanse or fasting, part of the digestive system will be removed, and this forms part of your body weight, so you WILL weigh less.

There is a big difference when talking about weight loss about whether you have lost fat, or you have lost water, muscle and fat.

What is the Colon Cleanse Scam?

Colon cleansing is based on the idea that food moving through your intestines sticks to the intestinal wall and becomes trapped and then becomes toxic and causes disease.

It is claimed by some that the toxins found within the waste will be absorbed into the bloodstream and circulated throughout your body. 

The advertising for the colon cleanse products claims that their products remove the toxic build up from the inside of your intestines.

How is this done? Most colon cleansing products contain psyllium or methyl cellulose which is bulk producing. This means that they increase the bulk and retain more water as well as forming an emollient gel. Psyllium is used for its dietary fibre and mucilage [for use in products like Metamucil].

colon cleanse scam

Some research on the Internet will produce testimonials from people who have used these colon cleanse products and claim they have got rid of terrible stuff that has been stuck inside them for decades! They often have photos accompanying their stories which show long, black ropey masses they assume to be impacted wastes, that they have retrieved from the toilet!

They are so happy this stuff is out!

Test if it is a Colon Cleanse Scam

  • Get some psyllium seed or husk and mix it with water in a glass. Wait until it sets into a gel and then tip it out of the glass. You now have a rubbery mass in the shape of the glass
  • Get some psyllium seed or husk and mix it in a glass and drink it straight away. Wait and you will experience a mass of psyllium gel slide out of the the end of the colon shaped similarly to the colon
  • Repeat the above but add some powdered clay and herbs before mixing with water. The mass that slides out this time will have an interesting shape, appearance and color [may be black depending on the type of clay]

So the mass that comes out of the colon during the 'cleanse' is not old, toxic wastes, but a psyllium mass, some clays, herbs and fibre, and some waste mixed in.

If you keep taking the 'cleanse' product, you will keep seeing this gunk coming out! Its not that your colon was putrid or full of toxic wastes, its the contents of the cleanse product that produces this stuff.

A Colon Cleanse Scam?

If you want a definitive answer on what lines your colon, and if there really is a colon cleanse scam, ask a gastroenterologist who carries out colonoscopies or surgeries. These specialists see the insides of colons of people every day.

Reviewing some of the scientific and medical literature:

  • Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology: 1989 Aug;11(4) 434-41, Chen TS et al. "Intestinal autointoxication: a medical leitmotif" "The idea that putrefaction of the stools causes disease originated with physicians in ancient Egypt. By the 1020's the medical doctrine fell into disrepute as scientific advances failed to give support. However the idea persists in the public mind"
  • European Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology: 1997; 24(4) 196-8. "Colonic irrigation and the theory of autointoxication: a triumph of ignorance over science" Autointoxication is an ancient theory based on the belief that intestinal waste products can poison the body and are a major contributor to many, if not all, diseases. In the 19th century it was the ruling doctrine of medicine and led 'colonic quackery' in various guises. By the turn of the century, it had received some apparent backing from science. When it became clear that the scientific rationale was wrong, and colonic irrigation was not merely useless, but potentially dangerous, it was exposed as quackery and subsequently went into decline. Today we are witnessing a resurgence of colonic irrigation based on little less than the old bogus claims. Even today's colonic experts can only provide theories in its support. It seems therefore that ignorance is celebrating a triumph over science"
  • American Journal Of  Gastroenterology; 2005; 100(1) 232-42 Mueller-Lissner, et al. "Myths and misconceptions about chronic constipation" "There is no evidence to support the theory that diseases may arise via 'autointoxication' whereby poisonous substances from stools within the colon are absorbed"

Most of the colon cleanse products contain psyllium and some herbs and clay. The costs are usually high for what are claimed to be 'special' ingredients. Psyllium can be purchased very cheaply from many health food stores from the bulk bins - and is just as good. Anything with a lot of fibre works well.

This information in Wikipedia says it all about the colon cleanse scam.

If you eat a diet with a variety of high-fiber foods, you won't need psyllium or worry about a colon cleanse scam!



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