There is little need for you to do a colon cleanse if you have been removing bowels completely and efficiently due to eating a healthy diet and living in a non-toxic environment. The problem is that most of us have quite opposite experiences. We live on junk and processed foods and have difficulty in removing our bowels.

Symptoms that plague us year after year include lethargy, severe constipation, headaches and frequent occurrences of candida yeast infection. These symptoms are indicative of the need to colon cleanse. However, it is important to note that there are certain situations whereby a colon cleanse is not advised, despite the numerous benefits of doing so.

Firstly, if you are down with a cold or fever and are taking medications, a colon cleanse during this time is not advised. Danger develops when the herbal ingredients used in the colon cleansing products interact with the drugs that you are taking. Since herbs are not regulated by the FDA, you can never be sure of what you are getting. In fact, if you are not feeling well, you really should be resting.

Secondly, if you have a diagnosed serious medical condition such as cancer, irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease, you should never colon cleanse without seeking proper advice. Never use an over the counter (OTC) colon cleanser without first asking your licensed health care provider if it is safe for you to do so. The last thing you want is to develop complications, which can become potentially dangerous and harmful to your health.

Colon cleansers can be subjected to abuse just like any other product or medicine. They can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance if used excessively. It has been found that abuse often occurs in situations where individuals become over zealous, such as in the case of using colon cleansing for weight loss reasons. An overuse can lead to dehydration and/or electrolyte imbalances. Additionally, when you develop a dependency on colon cleansing products, you can affect the ability of your body to remove waste products on its own.

Also, while the risk may seem small, it is still possible to develop infections due to unhygienic practices. For instances, hydrotherapy cleanses can cause infections due to dirty apparatus, damage to the walls of the intestine and over hydration. These can create harm and even be deadly.

You should also check anything that you introduce into your body either by mouth or into a body crevice for product quality and safety. Only use products that are sold by a reputable company. Hence, colon cleansing products that appear to be manufactured by dubious companies should be avoided.

Our bodies are designed to function normally on their own when we consume proper natural foods. It only becomes necessary to intervene when we fail to do so and our bodily functions become disrupted due to a sluggish system overladen with toxins. You can expect to minimise your risk to poor digestive health with the following guidelines:

• Consume organic foods.
• Adding plant fiber to your diet.
• Drink 2 liters of water a day.
• Chew your food completely.
• Slow down when eating.
• Avoid over-eating.

If there is a medical condition which you would like to seek treatment for, it is in your interest to discuss your options with your healthcare professional. He may or may not recommend a colon cleanse. If he does recommend one, then work with him to find a suitable product or program, to help you remove unwanted toxins from your body.

Author's Bio: 

Sandra Kim Leong is the author of an ebook, Detox Diet Secrets. She believes that the key to reducing many of our symptoms is tied to having good digestive health. For tips on colon cleansing and detox diet, please visit http://www.Detox-Cleansing.net.