Alternatives to Colon Cleansing

While alternative health practitioners point to the unhealthy dietary habits of most people as indicative of the need for colon cleansing, most doctors feel that colon cleansing is unnecessary, and may actually harm the body.

The fasting that often accompanies a cleansing regimen may actually do more harm than good. For example, the body is designed to adapt to changing conditions. When you fast, the body responds as would during an ancient famine: it slows metabolism to conserve "fuel".

Furthermore, the body has two systems designed for removing toxins. The first system is in the intestinal tract, where "good" bacteria and antibodies attack toxic substances. Toxins that aren't eliminated in the intestines are sent to the liver for detoxification. Once the reactions within the liver render the toxins harmless, they are excreted in urine and feces.

The best way to help the body is to eat regularly and follow a sensible, balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, meat and dairy products.

While many "cleanses" involve actively flushing out waste from the intestine with herbs, enemas, or colonics, there are other methods for removing toxins from the body.

Foot detox pads seem like a simple, painless method of cleansing. Simply wear them overnight and toxins pass through the soles if your feet into the pads. Sure enough, in the morning the pads are smelly and discolored.

Here's how they work: the "ancient secret Asian formula" includes wood vinegar which has been dried and ground into a powder. When your feet sweat, the wood vinegar (which is naturally dark in color) re-hydrates. The chemicals and sweat combine to create the odor.

Another method of cleansing involving the feet is the ion generator. This method places the feet in a basin of warm water containing ion generators. A low electrical charge attracts opposite charged particles from the body (commonly some form of metals).

Two other forms of cleansing that have been around for centuries are saunas and spas. They may be the oldest methods of detoxifying the body. By inducing copious quantities of sweat, toxins are eliminated from the body.

Before jumping on the colon cleanse bandwagon, discuss your health concerns with your doctor. Do you have symptoms that would seem to indicate that a colon cleanse would be helpful? What are the potential dangers you need to consider? Is the cost and discomfort worth the possible benefits? Have you tried other alternatives, such as nutritional supplements or a change in eating habits? There are many nutritional supplements that can achieve some of the same results as expensive :cleansers". For example, a fiber supplement containing psyllium is less expensive than a "colon cleanser" containing mostly psyllium. While many people worry about toxic heavy metals in their system, one of the most effective ways to remove heavy metal toxins is spirulina or chlorella, nutritional substances made from algae.

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