6 Advantages and Disadvantages of Colon Cleansing

Everyone knows that the colon isn’t exactly the cleanest place in the world. Because of this, many people believe that it’s important to do colon cleansing, a process that introduces water, herbs, laxatives, dietary fiber, and/or supplements to the colon area through an enema.

Proponents of colon cleansing testify that it has helped them regain good health, but there are also those who point out that the procedure actually doesn’t help improve a person’s wellbeing and may even pave the way to illnesses. If you’re not familiar with this argument and are unsure which side to be on, read this guide to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of colon cleansing.

List of Advantages of Colon Cleansing

1. It helps prepare the body for medical procedures.
Colon cleansing is used by doctors and other healthcare staff when the patient needs to undergo certain diagnostic tests and surgeries. If the patient has to go through colonscopy, for example, performing colon cleansing can help remove any debris that may get in the way of the colonscopy tube.

2. It can help remove pathogens from the body.
Those who practice alternative medicine believe that putrefied feces accumulate in the colon and become a breeding ground for microorganisms that cause various illnesses like asthma and arthritis. They also believe that colon cleansing can help remove these hardened stools and, in the process, remove bacteria and parasites from the body. These, in turn, result to a stronger immune system and better overall health.

3. It can alleviate constipation.
Colon cleansing can help soften stools and make it easier for them to pass through the rectum and anus. This can be helpful for those who are suffering from constipation and find it difficult and even painful to pass stools.

List of Disadvantages of Colon Cleansing

1. It comes with several side effects.
Colon cleansing can lead to various side effects, which include nausea, vomiting, bloating, and stomach cramps. It can also expose you to dehydration and cause major changes to the electrolyte levels in your body. These side effects can be dangerous if you have existing problems with your digestive system as well as other health conditions like heart disease and kidney issues.

2. It increases the risk of injuries and infections.
When you undergo a colon cleanse, you’re essentially inserting a foreign body to your body. This can be dangerous particularly if the materials used in the cleansing aren’t sterile; if this is the case, they can introduce bacteria and other microorganisms to your digestive system and cause infections. If the person doing the colon cleanse isn’t properly trained (and even if he is), he may make mistakes during the cleansing process and perforate your bowel. If this happens, you’ll need to undergo extensive surgery to repair the damage.

3. It may not be as effective as people think.
Many health experts think that the body already does a good job of eliminating pathogens and waste material (unless there’s a specific problem with a person’s digestive system). Because of this, they consider colon cleansing to be unnecessary and even dangerous, since it exposes the patient to infection and injuries and even makes them dependent on enemas for defecation.

These are some of the advantages and disadvantages of colon cleansing. Weigh them carefully to decide if this process is something that you’ll do to improve your health or something that you’ll avoid.