Do I Need a Colon Cleanser?

During a colon cleanse large amounts of water—sometimes as much as 16 gallons (about 60 liters)—are flushed through the colon, as well as substances such as herbs and coffee.

What are the Facts?

1. You do not need to take colon cleansers or colonic enema irrigations (colonics). Neither has any proven benefit and can even be harmful.
2. “Natural” does not mean safe. Most natural remedies are unregulated. Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act in 1994, stating that vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other "natural" substances didn’t need to be tested, reviewed, or approved by the FDA. This includes colon cleansers.

3. You do not have 25 pounds of encrusted waste lining your colon. Direct observation of the colon during surgical procedures or autopsies has never found evidence that hardened feces accumulate on the intestinal walls.

   

   How feces (stool, bowel movement) forms in the colon

4. Regular use of colon cleansers will not improve your general health or protect your digestive system from disease. The medical profession long ago abandoned the theory that a sluggish colon is a “toxic waste dump” that causes people to get sick. The intestinal wall is a complex micro-ecosystem of over 300 different species of bacteria and mucus that keep us healthy and are vitally important.

Colorectal Cancer and Colonics

Colorectal cancer is the No. 2 cancer killer in the United States. Colorectal (colon) cancer is often curable when detected early. There is no scientific evidence that any colon cleansing regimen significantly decreases one's risk of developing colorectal cancer.

The death rate from cancer in the US has declined steadily over the past 25 years, according to annual statistics reporting from the American Cancer Society.

“Colorectal cancer death rates declined 53% from 1970 to 2016 among men and women because of increased screening and improvements in treatment."

"However, in adults younger than age 55, new cases of colorectal cancer have increased almost 2% per year since the mid-1990s.”

Here is a video from the Mayo Clinic | Mayo Clinic Minute: How diet plays a role in colon health

Be Suspicious

Be suspicious before you purchase a colon cleanser. Someone’s wallet is likely to benefit from the transaction more than your colon. Eat right, drink plenty of fluids (water), consume fiber, and speak with your doctor about colorectal cancer screening.