Hatrack River Forum: Colon Cleansers... Do they really work?

This is topic Colon Cleansers... Do they really work? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Geraine (Member # 9913) on :

I'm sure most of you seen the infomercials for those colon cleansers. They claim you have pounds of rotting food stuck in your colon, and that their product will clean you out.

I have read articles on the internet about them, some saying they really work, others that say they are a scam.

The reason I ask is this. Recently I have adjusted my diet and am trying to eat healthier. I have stopped eating so much red meat, and am eating more fish and chicken. I've significantly cut down my portions and am trying to excersize more.

I've struggled with my weight for about seven years. When I was on my mission in Brazil I walked everywhere, sometimes more than 15 miles a day. When I returned from my mission I weighed about 180 pounds. I am six foot three and a Scot, so I was a healthy weight.

Since then I have worked mostly at desk jobs and have not gotten the excersize I used to. At my heaviest I was 320 pounds. I have since gotten myself to 290 pounds, but I still want to lose another 50 at least. I am progressing and I am encouraged by the results.

I wouldn't use the colon cleanser as a diet method, but if the claim that I have toxins and rotting food in my colon is true, I'd like to get rid of it.

Has anyone had any experiences with these products? If so, how did you feel afterwards? Are there any side effects you experienced? Do they really work?

I don't want to spend $40 on one of these things just to find out that all I am getting out of it is nights trying sleep on my sanitary throne.

Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :

http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/gastro.html

quote:
Body cleansing is not supported by science, with no medical benefits demonstrated, and is based on questionable or disproved scientific claims.

wiki/Detoxification_(alternative_medicine)
http://tinyurl.com/2ac6tj4

quote:
In reality, the colon does not require cleaning, and the practices can be both expensive and dangerous.

It's pretty much a load of

well

Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :

It's a scam.

Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :

Resident expert opinion

Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :

Wouldn't it be simpler to get an enema? Some people like that sort of thing. [Big Grin]

Posted by DSH (Member # 741) on :

After 100,000+ years of evolution I think the human colon has figured out how to clean itself out.

Incidentally, my son was born with a non-working stomach (gastroparesis). Rotting food in your stomach (and, I presume, in your gut) causes SERIOUS medical problems. My son had spent more than 200 days in the hospital by his 1st birthday before doctors finally figured out what was actually wrong with him.

I've witnessed 2 colonoscopies (sp?) on my son. In preparation for the procedures, he had to take two doses of magnesium citrate (an OTC laxative) to clean out his colon. Now, he was young (3 & 4), but his colon had nothing in it but some yellow bile during the procedure.

If the human colon is so apt to hold on to the food put into it, it should be a piece of cake to document. I want pictures! [Wink]

Colon Cleansers = Scam

Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :

It's even worse than they say: your colon isn't full of rotting food, it's full of crap! How did that get there? If only your body had some way to get rid of it!

Posted by Geraine (Member # 9913) on :

Thanks for the information. I had a feeling it was a scam, but I wanted to get some more opinions.

I appreciate it!

Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :

quote:
Originally posted by MightyCow:
It's even worse than they say: your colon isn't full of rotting food, it's full of crap! How did that get there? If only your body had some way to get rid of it!

Posted by AchillesHeel (Member # 11736) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Jon Boy:

quote:
Originally posted by MightyCow:
It's even worse than they say: your colon isn't full of rotting food, it's full of crap! How did that get there? If only your body had some way to get rid of it!

The hard way, with a knife...

Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :

"After 100,000+ years of evolution I think the human colon has figured out how to clean itself out."

This is why I don't brush my teeth. They should have learned to clean themselves by now. [Wink]

Seriously though, by that logic we shouldn't need any medication or doctors because our bodies should have figured out how to fix every problem they face by themselves.

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

Your mouth actually does a pretty good job of cleaning itself from unprocessed foods. And daily needs are not the same as things that are occasional and acute.

Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :

quote:
Originally posted by MightyCow:
It's even worse than they say: your colon isn't full of rotting food, it's full of crap! How did that get there? If only your body had some way to get rid of it!

Posted by AvidReader (Member # 6007) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Geraine:
... if the claim that I have toxins and rotting food in my colon is true, I'd like to get rid of it.

From experience, let me say that when your colon is not fully emptying, you can tell. It's an uncomfortable full feeling combined with feeling like you need to "go".

Switching to a mostly liquid diet like soups, salads, and fresh fruit will usually take care of the problem. If not, laxatives work just fine. And they ain't no $40. [Smile]

Posted by GaalDornick (Member # 8880) on :

quote:
Originally posted by rivka:
Your mouth actually does a pretty good job of cleaning itself from unprocessed foods. And daily needs are not the same as things that are occasional and acute.

So maybe the same goes for your colon. It can do a pretty good job of cleaning itself of unprocessed foods.

You are saying only occasional and acute needs require outside help? From what I've read, colon cleansers are a once in awhile thing, not a daily need.

BTW, I don't know anything about colon cleansers, I'm not trying to defend them. Just playing devil's advocate. [Smile]

Posted by Geraine (Member # 9913) on :

The ads make me have this vision that if I did use their product then stood in front of a mirror with my shirt lifted shirt there would be a hairy smily face looking back at me, giving me a look that says "Thank you for cleaning me out!"

Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :

They work. They clean it out.

But that doesn't do anything that the people who sell these things tell you it will.