Information on Colonic Irrigation

Living in a world of smog, pollution, fatty foods and cancers, it comes as no surprise that more people are seeking new, alternative treatments promising cleaner health, longer life, and better living. Colonic cleanses, first used by the ancient Egyptians, have recently resurfaced, gaining popularity as a potential method of losing weight.

Colon Description

• The colon, or large intestine, is the part of the human digestive tract that enables the absorption of food into the blood stream. The intestinal wall extracts the nutrients from the material passing through the colon, and the remaining waste product is excreted from the anus.

Basic Colonic Irrigation Procedure

• Large quantities of liquid (up to twenty gallons for a high colonic), are pumped into the colon through the rectum. This is done in an effort to remove toxins that could potentially be trapped in the body.

Enema Procedure

• Enemas involve smaller amounts of liquid pumped only into the rectum, or the bottom 10 to 12 inches of the colon. Enemas, along with laxatives, are commonly prescribed to alleviate constipation.

Health Benefits

• During the average 45-minute procedure, water is pumped into the rectum and then removed, along with the dead cellular tissue, parasites, and impacted waste that colon therapists claim builds up within the intestines. Assertions are also made that Colonic Irrigations (CIs) are able to exercise, stimulate, strengthen, and reshape the colon.

Disadvantages

• Doctors against CIs state the body will normally flush all normal waste out of the system, as this is the purpose of the colon, and parasites are not a concern for residents of developed nations, rendering assisted flushing unnecessary. In fact, introducing unsterilized equipment into the rectum could leave the patient vulnerable to the possibility of bacterial infection, and the removal of fluid during the process could leach the body of electrolytes.