The Abuse of Colon Cleansers during Weight Loss

When you are ready to shed the pounds, a healthy diet is the first important step. The second one – just as important – is the inclusion of some form of healthy exercise. In a nutshell, these two steps will permit you to lose weight to your heart’s content. Yet they are also some of the most difficult things to accomplish, and in the American society that is known for its willingness to pop a pill for the quick fix rather than stay the course for the long haul the notion has taken place that an alternative to simply dieting and exercising may be found that will permit obese Americans to shed pounds.

Some of these alternatives are quite costly and in some cases require more time and effort than a simple change in diet and incorporation of exercise as a daily habit. This is usually the sale of diet pills, patches, tinctures and even the prescription of amphetamine like substances which curtail the appetite and elevate the metabolism in the hopes of burning fat. Of course, when the medications are discontinued, the weight will creep back up simply because there never was a change in the lifestyle of the dieter.

Some of the more insidious dieting aids are those natural supplements that promise virtual overnight weight loss. Take colon cleanses, for example, which are utilized in alternative health circles to rid the colon of accumulated fecal matter that the intestines were too weak to push out – usually because there is not enough fiber in the diet. These colon cleanses may be quite productive, especially if you have abused your gastrointestinal tract for years and are ready to start anew. By removing hardened fecal matter and also parasites from your digestive tract, your intestines will once again be able to properly absorb nutrients and thus keep you healthy.

Yet in recent years the use of colon cleanses has shown that they are instead seen as a quick fix to lose two to five pounds. When done too often, they will lead to the colon’s dependence on the laxatives and thus will actually create the fecal buildup they originally sought to cure. In the same way, instead of helping your weight loss succeed, in some cases colon cleanses will give you the false sense of security by persuading you to keep on eating the way you want since at the end of the day you will be able to purge your system. This is erroneous and in some cases even dangerous! Some colon cleansers have shown to adversely affect the electrolyte balance in the body by flushing out potassium alongside the fecal matter. If such a procedure is done often enough, it will lead to uncontrollable muscle spasms and may even adversely affect the heart and brain.

As much as an easier way of losing way is appealing to think of, do not include colon cleansers into your weight loss program. Instead, use them rarely and determinedly to ensure proper colon health. Once a year or maybe even once every other year for only one to three days at a time is a sufficient and safe use of a colon cleanser; anything else may quickly cross the line into abuse.

Should You Buy Your Colon Cleanser From An Affiliate Marketer?

If you are ready to undergo a colon cleanse to flush out the accumulation of compacted fecal matter that builds up over time in response to questionable dietary habits – which most Americans readily admit to – you have a lot of options. Physicians prescribe quickie colon cleanses which are generally considered harsh and may even contain ingredients that could adversely affect your kidneys. Other methods involve the use of substances that will work gently in your colon but may take a while to rev up to their performance. By far the most readily available colon cleansers are natural supplements that rely on a host of herbs, some spices, and even minerals to affect the evacuation of fecal matter from the colon.

Yet where should you purchase your colon cleansers? Your local well stocked health food store undoubtedly has a lot to offer in the way of natural substances, while the pharmacy stores will most likely carry a few natural cleansers but will most likely focus more on the chemical ones. The Internet, as always, is a hotbed of the colon cleansing industry; however, interestingly it may not necessarily be the best vendor. The reason is quick to realize and easy to understand: affiliate marketing.

Affiliate marketing is a mainstay of Internet marketing and as such has made fortunes for many who are serious about going after the profits. It is this very enthusiasm for profit that should warn potential customers away from affiliate marketers who are selling colon cleanse supplement. Here are the warning-signs that you may wish to shop elsewhere, such as a brick and mortar store, for a different supplement:
The supplement is not for sale directly from the manufacturer but instead you have to find an affiliate who will sell it to you. Similarly, it is not for sale in stores but only on the ‘Net.
As you peruse the ingredients list, you find that many of the substances are relatively cheap to find, yet the mix is priced at 50 to 75 times what the individual components may cost. This exorbitant price increase showcases that you are supporting the multilevel marketing model the manufacturer is following and has precious little to do with the quality of the product.
High prices require high-flying testimonials, and the higher the price the more outlandish the claims made. Most affiliates are free to market the colon cleanser however they see fit and it is not surprising to read contrived customer testimonials, find non-existent or doctored up studies, and be treated to Internet hoaxes and lore that is presented as stone-cold medical fact. (John Wayne’s alleged colon weight comes to mind.)
The colon cleanser is hailed as a cure all and dangerous medical advice is dispensed – without a license. Among those dangerous bits and pieces of advise are the suggestion to ignore muscle spasms (indicative of a compromised electrolyte balance) or the tip that suggests to combine various bodily cleanses at the same time (adding to toxicity increases for the liver).

Colon Cleansing Cautions

Doctors will at times prescribe a colon cleansing to be done just before a procedure like a colonoscopy. There are many persons who will routinely do colon cleansing to rid their body of toxins. When doing colon cleansings it is important to understand your body's natural ability to care for the colon so as not to disturb the delicate balance that happens with the electrolyte balance and the natural balance of bodily fluids. If colon cleansing is done on a long-term basis or if you do excessive cleansing you can cause problems such as anemia, malnutrition or even heart failure. It is important to understand when a colon cleanse is necessary and when it is best to let your body do its own cleansing.

Constipation:

Many individuals feel the need to do a colon cleanse when they are constipated. Constipation is your body's way of signaling the need for more fiber in the diet and the need for more water. By giving your body what it needs, more water and fiber, the constipation will correct itself. If you are younger than 50 you should be getting 25 grams of fiber a day if you are a woman and 38 grams of fiber a day if you are a man. If you are older than 50 you should be consuming 30 grams of fiber a day if a man and 21 grams of fiber a day if you are a woman.

There are practices that some report to be beneficial to your colon that may have harmful consequences if used incorrectly or excessively. Such practices are laxative usage, colonic irrigation and herbal cleanses.

Laxatives such as cascara or castor oil can cause damage to nerve cellin in the colon wall. If nerve cells are damaged the colon decreases the force of contractions, which will increase the occurance of constipation.

Colonic irrigation can be expensive as much as $75 for each session with up to 6 sessions being recommended. Colonic irrigation needs to be sterilized between treatments otherwise diseases can be spread from one patient to another. Heart failure can occur is excessive fluid is absorbed into the bloodsteam causing an electrolyte imbalance. There has been no licensing or training to operate a colonic-irrigation device. in 1985, a California judge ruled that colonic irrigation was an invasive procedure and said that it may not be performed because it did no good and could only bring harm. This according to the National Council Against Health Fraud, 1995.

Colon Cleanse, a Healthy Diet, And Exercise Make for a Healthy Life

Colon-cleanse, a healthy diet, and exercise make for a healthy life. This statement is so full of truth that little more needs to be said on the subject. Would that it were that simple! The reality shows that for a variety of reasons this simple truth has been perverted to a billion dollar industry that is the supplementation market. How often have you known those that are seeking health and fitness but not in a properly stocked pantry or inside a gym but from within a bottle of nutritional supplements? Nobody is exempted from this folly; doctors are just as guilty as star athletes and busy moms who would never, ever suggest to their growing teenage daughters to ingest the supplements that they themselves are taking with every meal.

Here is a step by step approach to achieving a healthy life the right way:
1.If you are suffering from abdominal pain, constipation, and severe flatulence, but fail to produce at least two bowel movement a day – even after eating a big meal – you need to use a colon cleanse. There are several ways to go about it. You can increase the intake of fiber and water in an effort to flush out your colon, but in most severe cases the use of a colon cleanse supplement is indicated. A mild laxative combined with fiber and adequate water will permit the colon to flush out a buildup of fecal matter that has hardened and attached itself to the inner lining of the intestines. Usually three to five days need to be devoted to this process.
2.As your colon is cleansed, you need to find a healthy diet that will work for you. Stay away from fads and the kinds of diets that incorporate food choices which do not appeal to you. In the same vein, stay away from those diets that are top heavy by relying heavily on one food group to the exclusion of others. Generally speaking, these diets are unhealthy and will negatively impact your heart health, liver, and kidneys. In some cases they will also lead to an unhealthy and potentially dangerous imbalance of electrolytes and the risk of stroke and heart attacks becomes very real.
3.The benefits derived from healthy exercise cannot be bottled and sold over the counter. Thus, stay away from any supplementation that seeks to build muscles or increase strength. Instead, build up your muscles gradually and consistently and what you might be lacking in visible bulk you will more than make up for in actual strength. Weight training, aerobics, and strength training are all wonderful exercises and it pays to find an exercise regimen that you will enjoy. Ease your way into it and do not overdo it!

It might be worthwhile to hire a personal trainer for a couple of sessions and review your dietary plan with a registered dietician to make sure you are not missing anything important. Last but not least, before using a colon cleanser make sure your doctor takes a look at the list of ingredients to be certain that it is healthy and gentle and will not leave you with undesirable side effects.

System Detoxification Begins and Ends with Colon Cleanse

Perhaps it is the approach of the New Year that has you thinking about a system detox or maybe it is the advent of a big birthday that includes a zero behind the first number. The fact that you are thinking about taking better care of your body is good news and you are undoubtedly chomping at the bit to get started. Yet before you rush down to the health food store – perhaps for the first time – and run the risk of filling up your cart with a wide variety of supplements you may or may not need and spend a lot of money on supplements and cleanses that may be counteracting one another, consider what it is that you are trying to accomplish. To this end, you will want to list the conditions that you are currently noticing about yourself and how you want things to change.

A sample list could look something like this:
“I need to lose weight.” Since you want to live a healthier life you know that a bunch of diet pills with questionable ingredients are not the answer, and thus you know that you will need to include exercise on your list.
Therefore, the next entry could read “I want to increase my energy so I can exercise.” A lack of energy points to inadequate nutrition and you know you will need to make dietary changes. Yet it also may point toward your body’s inability to adequately absorb nutrients. Thus, a colon cleanse will ensure that your gastrointestinal tract is operating at peak performance.
This might also be the time that you realize you are suffering from frequent headaches whenever you try to exert yourself. You know this may come from toxins still in the body, and thus your next entry may read “I need to detoxify my liver.”

While this is only a very brief sample, it does illustrate the point that you need to understand your goals and also your limitations. Overcoming your limitations with system cleanses is possible, but you need to ensure that all supplementation you are considering is working in concert with one another. If you have never used natural supplements before, you may wish to make an appointment with an alternative healer so that she or he will be able to guide you through your first system cleanse.

Even though there are system cleanse kits, it is wise to be weary of them. It is next to impossible to detoxify your entire body at the same time, and it makes much more sense to use supplements that are geared toward specific systems and thereby cleanse your body one system at a time. Those in the know suggest that you start with a colon cleanse, then do the other cleanses, and then follow it up with another colon cleanse. While this is not set in stone, it does ensure that you will not be accumulating any waste products as you are doing your body cleanses. Similarly, since toxins are being shed, you will want to make sure that they do not get lodged in the gastrointestinal tract in fecal matter which the first cleanse might have failed to flush out.

Colon cleanse for Healthy Lifestyle

A Colon Cleanse starts off a Healthy Lifestyle

Colon cleanses are marketed as being the answer to toxins invading your body on a daily basis. Citing the toxins that surround us on a daily basis and pointing an accusing finger at the fast food industry and the prepackaged meals that rely on overly processed foods, refined sugar, and fat and salt to make them palatable, proponents argue that that a colon cleanse done annually is a requirement for healthy living. The thought is not that far fetched when you consider the fact that the average American diet is sadly devoid of adequate amounts of dietary fiber – the very substance that permits the colon to evacuate fecal matter efficiently and continuously. It is therefore not unheard of that fecal matter will not be expelled but instead remains in the gut and hardens while it attaches itself to the intestinal walls. The use of drugs and prescription medications in some cases will add to this problem and thus a colon cleanse is a very real first step for a healthy lifestyle.

Another component of this dilemma is the fad diet industry that keeps money changing hands at an alarming rate. Believing that a slimmer waistline is for sale in a bottle, millions of consumers have starved themselves, supplemented their intake of the most awful foods, and gradually made themselves sicker and heavier. None of the fad diets work in the long run, for if they did, the obesity crisis that is currently being exposed in the Unites States would have ended long before it began. Yet because of the hype, clever marketing, and short term results associated with most fad diets, these dietary regimens and supplementation plans continue to be sought after.

A colon-cleanse starts off a healthy lifestyle simply by demanding a break from whatever diet you are currently on. It does not matter if you are a devout disciple who worships daily at the altar that is the drive through window of the local fast food joint, or the staunch believer in a low-carbohydrate, high protein fare that leaves your heart and intestines reeling with the cholesterol laden foods – a colon cleanse will interrupt the cycle you are in and require you to try out healthy fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, it will encourage you to reacquaint yourself with whole grain foods that provide a lot of dietary fiber necessary for the healthy functioning of your colon.

Therefore it is the psychological aspect of a colon cleansing ritual that provides the most benefit for those seeking to change their lifestyle and instead of embracing a fad diet or an unhealthy way of living are looking for alternatives. Furthermore, the colon cleanse will provide the break you need to wean yourself off the harmful foods you have been eating. By providing you the satisfaction of knowing that you are actively engaged in doing something good and healthy for your body, you will be further enticed to take the next step by learning more about proper nutrition and stepping away from your minimalist and limited view of foods. These new discoveries pave the way to the inclusion of a healthy exercise program, and before you know it, the colon cleanse you thought would only help the overall health of your colon is also affecting your lifestyle.