Has Anyone Tried A Colon Cleanse Product ?

[ravenwoodglass]

I found this website, some may find it interesting. It is from Quackwatch.org and is about colon cleansing and also discusses the use of colonic irrigation. Be sure to check the list at the bottom of the companies that have lawsuits pending. I found it interesting that they also have a letter from someone who has a very different view at the very bottom.

Open Original Shared Link

[key]

Thanks for sharing the link.

Monica

[Green12]

You can get stool sitting around in there. When I had a CT scan a couple months back I was told I had lots of impacted stool. I figured I did since I'd been constipated for over a month after eating one block of cheese. I was not feeling good at all.

Right after the CT scan I was scheduled for a colonoscopy and after taking the prep for it I was all cleaned out and have had normal movements ever since. I dont think the cleanses are necessary and I agree that they are just out to make money. An enema is probably safer and just as effective.

Very true about impacted stool. This is a too much to share moment, but when I was getting colonics frequently to clear out my impacted stool the place I went to had a viewing tube so you could see what was on its way out. Huge amounts of stool. HUGE.

[marciab]

Thanks for posting that website. It is obviously slanted against a natural healing methodology. But, it is always good to hear any perspective on the subject. I haven't read the whole site (I have dr. appt in 1 hour and I have to get raedy), but so far I haven't seen anything in there about all the problems with using traditional medicine for GI problems.

I pulled this quote from the website.

"Cleansing" with products composed of herbs and dietary fiber is unlikely to be physically harmful, but the products involved can be expensive. Some people have reported expelling large amounts of what they claim to be feces that have accumulated on the intestinal wall. However, experts believe these are simply "casts" formed by the fiber contained in the "cleansing" products.

I wonder which experts believe these are "casts" ????

Marcia

[jenvan]

Thanks for posting that website. It is obviously slanted against a natural healing methodology. But, it is always good to hear any perspective on the subject. I haven't read the whole site (I have dr. appt in 1 hour and I have to get raedy), but so far I haven't seen anything in there about all the problems with using traditional medicine for GI problems.

I pulled this quote from the website.

"Cleansing" with products composed of herbs and dietary fiber is unlikely to be physically harmful, but the products involved can be expensive. Some people have reported expelling large amounts of what they claim to be feces that have accumulated on the intestinal wall. However, experts believe these are simply "casts" formed by the fiber contained in the "cleansing" products.

I wonder which experts believe these are "casts" ????

Marcia

Hmmm, I suppose it is possible, but not sure which ingredient would form a "cast." Psyllium does turn to a rubbery gel, so it can look strange coming out and may confuse some folks. I think part of what makes these cleanses harsh is that they contain too many ingredients--fiber (often too high a dose) + a long list of herbal or chemical laxatives. [Funny story: dh dumped a bottle of an intense powder cleanse formula he had and I was looking--otherwise I would have stopped him!! But he dumped it down the sink, then proceeded to flush water down the sink saying it would "go right down"…well, of course it didn't! It plugged the sink for several days and dh spent about 4 hours that night alone with the plunger, snake, cleanser etc trying to unplug it! It was gross! He eventually had to pull apart the pipes. Thank God it didn't plug out the sewer line!! So, case in point--these cleanses are pretty "intense" !!

You raise a good issue too though--about medications not being under scrutiny. I think prescription stimulants or drugs like zelnorm can be damaging or harmful to the body in time too. Sometimes it is about the lesser of two evils, but I do think the meds should be a last option, not the first. I've wondered too how many Celiacs or folks with specific intestinal issues/diseases are on zelnorm or similar drugs for *IBS*... another topic for another day I guess

[ravenwoodglass]

You raise a good issue too though--about medications not being under scrutiny. I think prescription stimulants or drugs like zelnorm can be damaging or harmful to the body in time too. Sometimes it is about the lesser of two evils, but I do think the meds should be a last option, not the first. I've wondered too how many Celiacs or folks with specific intestinal issues/diseases are on zelnorm or similar drugs for *IBS*... another topic for another day I guess

I agree we have a real problem also with the medicines that abound for GI issues. We are a nation that is taught to treat the symptoms rather than the cause. This particular website Quackwatch also deals with other issues. The focus of this was solely on colon cleansers and colonic irrigation especially. I didn't realize that colonic irrigation comes under FDA regulations that are very specific as to who can administer them and when. While there are many well educated and caring people who are into natural healing there are also, as with anything, real bad ones. I know of someone who is clearly celiac and has these irrigations done often. She insists since her naturopath, who also sells her copious amounts of enzymes, herbs and supplements, says this is the way to handle her digestive problems that what she's doing. She was told to avoid wheat but not gluten and continues to be sick but since she sees some improvement she is happy and thinks it's working. I went to the guys website and then to the website of the school that accredited him. For $350.00 and about a weekends time reading and answering a few questions they would 'accredit' me to. Then I could get the discount to sell their products, which are only available to people who had completed their program. There are lots of good practitioners of medicine out there but we all need to throughly research not just what they reccommend for us but the practitioners themselves. This applys to natural practioners the same as MDs.

[jenvan]

I agree we have a real problem also with the medicines that abound for GI issues. We are a nation that is taught to treat the symptoms rather than the cause. This particular website Quackwatch also deals with other issues. The focus of this was solely on colon cleansers and colonic irrigation especially. I didn't realize that colonic irrigation comes under FDA regulations that are very specific as to who can administer them and when. While there are many well educated and caring people who are into natural healing there are also, as with anything, real bad ones. I know of someone who is clearly celiac and has these irrigations done often. She insists since her naturopath, who also sells her copious amounts of enzymes, herbs and supplements, says this is the way to handle her digestive problems that what she's doing. She was told to avoid wheat but not gluten and continues to be sick but since she sees some improvement she is happy and thinks it's working. I went to the guys website and then to the website of the school that accredited him. For $350.00 and about a weekends time reading and answering a few questions they would 'accredit' me to. Then I could get the discount to sell their products, which are only available to people who had completed their program. There are lots of good practitioners of medicine out there but we all need to throughly research not just what they reccommend for us but the practitioners themselves. This applys to natural practioners the same as MDs.

Wow...that's a sad story for your friend...

[ravenwoodglass]

Wow...that's a sad story for your friend...

I worry about her but there is nothing more I can do. She never knew me when I was sick, I think it would help if she had. All I can do is keep her and her family in my prayers.

[loraleena]

You all should know that quackwatch is now in trouble for false and misleading information. We all need to be aware that there are many on both sides of the fence who want to dupe us and mislead us. While natural methods may not always work and may not be completely harm free, I suggest you research the extremely harmful affects and deaths caused by all the pharmacuticals people are on. Remember we all have different opinions and it is hard to know what to do some times. I say go with your gut instinct about what is right for you.

[VRaths]

Open Original Shared Link

Many people seem to dread the day that they hear they need to have a colon cleanse for their body. In reality there are times that you are going to need to have a colon cleanse done so that you are able to stay healthy for a longer time. This is all possible because when you are getting the colon cleanse you are getting rid of all the toxins that are in your system. You do not want to turn up your nose when the word colon cleansing is said around you.

[marciab]

VRaths,

I am not turning up my nose to the whole colon cleanse idea. I am pro colon cleansing, I'm just not sure I need to use a product such as those being advertised on TV to accomplish this.

I have read that there are a lot of all natural foods and herbs that can clean the colon as well. So, I want to try something that is less likely to cause me great pain and yet get the job done.

I'm hoping that eating a high fiber diet and having regular bm's is enough to take care of the problem. And I haven't seen anything yet to convince me that I have anything caked up on the sides of my colon. All I can find online are very slanted opinions about this one way or the other.

Marcia

[rinne]

Hello, I am new to this forum but couldn't resist the opportunity to comment on Metamucil.

First though Jenvan this was too funny:

Funny story: dh dumped a bottle of an intense powder cleanse formula he had and I was looking--otherwise I would have stopped him!! But he dumped it down the sink, then proceeded to flush water down the sink saying it would "go right down"…well, of course it didn't! It plugged the sink for several days and dh spent about 4 hours that night alone with the plunger, snake, cleanser etc trying to unplug it! It was gross! He eventually had to pull apart the pipes. Thank God it didn't plug out the sewer line!! So, case in point--these cleanses are pretty "intense"

LOL

I was taking flax for my constipation but when I got sick, I am new to this Celiac world, I stopped because it was clearly irritating my colon and I turned to Metamucil thinking it would be gentler. I was wrong but by that time I was in so much pain all the time I could no longer read my body. I had a sense it was wrong for me, as in I was still constipated though less so, but more than that it just didn't feel right. To make a long story short after several days of not taking Metamucil just because I had run out and I had discovered that cutting out dairy made a huge difference I took some thinking that it was just a neutral substance that helped keep everything moving WRONG. I had been avoiding all starches to deal with the AS, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and I knew within minutes that I had made a huge mistake, it was as if I had thrown gasoline on a fire and my lower back and spine became incredibly inflamed. When I think of the two months I took this I understand that through my ignorance I increased my own suffering. Ouch.

I am so deeply glad to find other voices sharing their stories. Thank you for being here.

[Green12]

Welcome to the board rinne, that is a funny story

Dairy is constipating in general, so it's good you were able to make that connection with it and your body.

[twink]

There is one called colonix

www.drnatura.com

I believe once your body is healthy and you have been gluten-free for a while then you can look into a colon cleansing product.

I was just recently diagnosed with celiac disease after being told it was IBS, anxiety and being on tons of meds which had gluten in them and made it worse. Before i figured out it was celiac disease I looked into Colonix as an alternative to IBS treatments. I never went through with it and I am glad i didn't as my intestines are shot and need to heal first.

)

[marciab]

Hey there,

Thanks for replying. This is interesting.

I thought I would save you some time, since I had checked out the Drnatura website:

"Elimination should be complete, fast and easy. The stool should be light brown in color, long and large in diameter, “fluffy” in texture and floating on top of the water. There should be no offensive odor and it should break apart with the toilet flushing. "

I didn't think floating stools was a good thing.

"Ask any coroner. Autopsies often reveal colons that are plugged up to 80 percent with waste material.”

– Vegetarian Times, March, 1998"

Why do they always use autopsy results as a way of validating the idea that waste backs up in the colon ?? I'm sure these people were having all kinds of health issues before passing away. And many of them would have just eaten their last meal. Can't they find a better example than that ?

"The Colonix Program is made in the USA with all-natural, non-GMO ingredients in a vegetarian formula, using only premium quality herbs.

It contains no wheat, corn, soy, milk, egg, sugar, colorings or preservatives."

Also, it doesn't say it is gluten free. 95 % of the site is dedicated to testimonials. And most, if not all, of those testifying had problems with constipation. Which from, what I have seen, could have been resolved with a diet change.

OH, and ingredient list contained most of the herbs you will find in any health book that say they are good for digestion. I think it would hard not to have an affect on a person's digestive system if you used all of the herbs recommended.

I am now curious about parasites though. I was in Jamaica in 1987. And I had the worst "D" I have ever had in my life. I was pregnant, so I don't think I took anything except Kaopectate. BTW, Kaopectate is $10 in Jamaica.

Time to drag out the health book and see what they recommend for parasites.

Jen, I was on Zelnorm for a month. It appeared to work for a few days, then the "D" started. Was told that my body would get used to it. Later, I noticed that my stomach would spasm right after taking the Zelnorm. Nurse said "What did you expect ? It's supposed to make your stomach muscles move !" So, I stopped taking it. I've probably been on every stomach medicine out there. Unsuccessfully !!

marcia

[Jonesy]

Hey there,

Thanks for replying. This is interesting.

I thought I would save you some time, since I had checked out the Drnatura website:

I am now curious about parasites though. I was in Jamaica in 1987. And I had the worst "D" I have ever had in my life. I was pregnant, so I don't think I took anything except Kaopectate. BTW, Kaopectate is $10 in Jamaica.

marcia

Hi to all

Yes, I have used the Colonix colon cleanse on Dr. Natura with wonderful results. My energy level improved and mental clarity returned. I was taking it for parasites and worms. Wow! I agree with most of the testimonials.

I've been going to a practitioner of Bio-energetics, a system that reveals the health of your body at the cellular level. She told me I had worms and parasites, and recommended Colonix Colon Cleanse. (she doesn't sell it).

It's a 4 week colon cleanse that is very gentle and can be tailored to your needs, especially the Kleri tea that is taken at bedtime. It will not cause diarrhea if you steep the tea only long enough to effect a BM first thing in the morning. I started out steeping the tea (a laxative) for just 1 minute, but that wasn't enough, so I steeped it 2 minutes that that worked well. I also tried steeping the tea for 3 minutes one night just to see what that would do, but it was too much. I was in the bathroom a lot the next day - not with D, just small frequent moves that went on every hour or so all day. So I went back to steeping 2 minutes and that worked every time. There are 3 steps to the cleanse: On an empty stomach, take the Paranil capsules to kill the parasites. Twenty minutes later, drink the fiber drink. (It's a powder that you mix with water or juice) . Then you can eat your breakfast and get on with your day. In the evening, drink the Kleri tea, which is a laxative containing Psyllium seed and other intestinal helps.

If persons will observe what is leaving their body, they can see the minute "creatures" in the soft, mushy stool. I saw some that were still wiggling! (gross subject, but some folks are looking for information). It worked so well for me that I got some for my DH. He has a problem with very loose BM's and some diarrhea. However the kleri tea laxative steeped for 3 minutes did not produce a BM first thing in A.M. I'm up to 5 minutes of steeping now and it still isn't strong enough. He does move several times a day, but not first thing in the morning. It takes several hours. He's passing a lot of mucous, and he is feeling better after only 5 days on the cleanse.

My cleanse was so detoxifying that I felt very tired for about 10 days. But when the detox was over, I began to feel so much better. By the end of 4 weeks, I was a new person

I thought it was awfully expensive. $75 for a 4 week cleanse! But it was well worth it. If you buy 3 cleanse packages it's only $50 each. They also recommend that you take their Probiotics with the cleanse. Since my gut isn't healed yet (dx June 2005) I needed the probiotics anyway, and continue to take them for assistance in healing the gut.

You can read more about the cleanse here: Open Original Shared Link My bio-Energetics practitioner can test any supplement I want or need to take to see if it's beneficial at the cellular level and can tell me how many pills to take. I had her check all my prescription meds as well as all the supplements I take. Some of the supps I was using were not doing me any good - some helped only a little but not much. So it's good to have a resource like that. She has even diagnosed celiac in some people. Gluten intolerance shows up at the cellular level. Here is her website: Open Original Shared Link

She practices in Franklin TN (Nashville area) but you can do a dogpile search and perhaps find a practitioner in your area if you want. In your search engine, type in electro-dermal screening.

Good luck.

Please know that I'm not pushing colon cleanse or alternative medicine. I'm simply relating my own personal experience in these areas.

My Best to All

Maryellen

[scrunt]

I was just wondering what your experience with psyllium is...I get so constipated any time I attempt to take it, even if I drink the recommended water. I have IBS as well and have been told by a few doctors to take psyllium regularly but it just gets me into trouble when I try. Same happen to you ever?

Thanks,

Rachelle

I've found the same thing - I even tried taking more psyllium thinking that the original dose wasn't enough. This was around the time when the new Charlie and the chocolate factory was in theatres, and, minus the blue - I felt like Violet! You know the one that expanded and expanded?

So, ya, no good for me. Disappointing, really, because I wanted to find a decent laxative.

put some flax seeds on my cereal, eat some walnuts everyday and add some ginger to my stir frys.

For me, flax seeds are also too harsh to eat, they rip apart my intestines (not a nice feeling).

Teas are a great way of getting some of those herbs - ginger, fennel is a great one for reducing mucus. Walnuts, from what I have heard, don't do the same as a concentrated Black Walnut solution.

Rhubarb is also a good one to clear out your gut of parasites and also to help your bowel move along.

But I guess the upshot is that if you are absorbing nutrients properly, and you have a varied enough diet, you don't need to worry about absorbtion, and your gut is probably working well anyhow. But if you aren't digesting foods properly, then it becomes a bit of a catch-22.

[ms-sillyak-screwed]

You could try colon hydrotherapy, where they flush your colon with water. You must go to a certified therapist for safety reasons. Personally I believe that we have massive amount of waste stuck in us. Just because you are pooping, doesn't mean you don't have things stuck. Look at your poops. If they are long wide and large you are passing could stools. If for example they are thin or small little ones then this could be because you have blockage to your colon. I am not saying that all cleanses will work for all people, but I do not believe that cleansing is a bunch of crap. No more a bunch of crap than all the horrendous drugs doctors have people on. Do lots of research!

loraleena -- A lot of truth in what you said.

I just finished a book titled:

I Was Poisoned By My Body: The Odyssey of a Doctor Who Reversed Fibromyalgia, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity - Naturally!

(Paperback)

by Gloria, Ph.D. Gilbere

Open Original Shared Link

She believes in colon hydrotherapy hycolonics, enemas and goes into details about it in the book. And goes into parasites too.

As I posted on another thread I'm not sure her treatments are for all of us here. My system is too hyper-sensitive at this stage of celiac disease but the rotation diet she writes about has been working for me.