Does the Colon Need Cleaning?

After the upper digestive tract, stomach and small intestine, has removed almost everything of nutritional value during the process of digestion, the colon (large intestine) becomes the recipient of the left over toxins, bacteria and indigestible waste.

Mucus

• The colon is lined with mucus to prevent absorption of toxic wastes back into the body after digestion. Wastes trapped by the mucus can accumulate and stick to the colon wall as cited in "Colon Therapy" by Ron Kennedy, M.D., on the website, The Doctors' Medical Library.

Symptoms

• Ron Kennedy, M.D., also reports that constipation, gas, headache, bad breath, and fetid odor from stool are some of the symptoms of a colon that has over-retained toxic wastes.

Autointoxication

• In his article in the Western Journal of Medicine, James Whorton, Department of Medical History and Ethics, University of Washington School of Medicine, explains the theory of auto-intoxication as poisoning of the body by putrefying waste left to accumulate in the colon.

Significance

• Because aging is a factor in slowing elimination, colon cleansing can aid in the removal of accumulated toxic wastes. Colon cleanses can also remove parasites, as cited by Dr Lynn Hardy, N.D., C.N.C., on the Global College of Natural Medicine website.

Types

• Colon cleanses can be performed by a licensed colonic therapist or done at home with commercial colon cleansers, colon cleansing herbal remedies, teas, or enemas. Michael Picco, M.D., on the Mayo Clinic website, recommends eating fruits and vegetables to "scrub" the colon wall, consuming an adequate amount of fluids, and exercising on a regular basis.