The Good, Bad and Very, Very Ugly

I’m a clean freak so as soon as I heard that years of gunk could be piled up in my intestines my immediate thought was ‘how do I get it out of there?’ The companies that make herbal supplements to flush out toxins say that their systems will make us feel younger, more energetic and even take off a couple extra pounds. The thing is, there is not much evidence to support that colon cleansing works or that it is even necessary. So who’s right? During my research I compared ProductWatch.net’s number one rated detox product, Enuvia, with eating a healthy diet. Enuvia is a product that cleanses not only the colon, but the liver and kidney as well. Sold in pill form, it has not been evaluated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) or FTC (Fair Trade Commission). Many of those who have used it report feeling little change or feeling ill. One consumer reported a skin condition similar to eczema after using the product and one ended up going to the hospital for serious side effects. But there are still some who say they feel better and more energized after using the product. Many colon cleansers promise weight loss for its users. This is something to watch out for because you’ll either be taking laxatives and losing water weight or not eating enough foods or the right foods to give your body all the nutrients it needs. It’s true that you will lose weight, but you will gain it right back and there are many much more healthy options out there. It is easy to see how difficult it can be to know if a colon cleanse product is safe. That’s why registered dietician, Martha McKittrick, RD, CDE, says that instead of taking potentially dangerous colon cleansing products, a diet high in fiber is sufficient to keep the digestive track healthy and does not have the side effects that some detox systems do, she said. These side effects range anywhere from mild diarrhea to severe dehydration. This is where it becomes the most important to be careful about what system you use because you may end up in the hospital. If you do decide to use a detox system, avoid the following as they are more likely to cause serious side effects. These are systems that:nn * Encourage you to drink salt watern * Contain laxativesn * Promise Weight Lossn * Encourage fasting for long periods of timen * Use enema to quicken the processnnThe body already has in place a system of flushing out toxins that will work perfectly when eating a healthy diet. The fact is cleansing the body periodically cannot make up for eating healthy all the time. If you are considering colon cleansing then consult with your doctor first about other options and be aware that there may be serious risks involved. And remember that the whole purpose of detoxing is to keep your body healthy. Don’t sacrifice your health on the way to achieving it.