Colon cleansing
Colon cleansing (colonic irrigation) removing accumulations of fecal matter in the large intestine, as some alternative medicine practitioners believe it leads to ill health. This is usually accomplished with substances mixed with water to detoxify the body by flushing out the colon.
Origins
This resurrects the old medical concept of autointoxication which was orthodox doctrine up to the end of the 19th century but which has now been discredited.[1][2][3]
Criticism
The Mayo clinic clarifies it is unnecessary as the body naturally removes waste material,[4] and cleaning out the colon can significantly interfere with the balance between bacteria and natural chemicals, leading to a less efficient colon.[5] Further, as the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate colonics and the varied claims made by supplement manufactures do not require scientific verification.
References
- ^ E.M.D. Ernst (June 1997), "Colonic Irrigation and the Theory of Autointoxication", Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology: 196–198
{{citation}}: Unknown parameter|volum=ignored (help) - ^ Kaiser (1985). "The Case Against Colonic Irrigation". California Morbidity (38).
- ^ Chen TS, Chen PS (1989). "Intestinal autointoxication: a medical leitmotif". Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 11 (4): 434–41. PMID 2668399.
- ^ Michael Picco (March 21, 2007). "Colon cleansing: Is it helpful or harmful? - MayoClinic.com".
- ^ Melissa Tennen (June 2007). "The Dangers of Colon Cleansing". HealthAtoZ.com. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
External links
- Alternative medicine