The Many Options For Colon Cleansing

Almost everybody has their favorite method of bowel cleansing, usually because they found the method that worked best for them. The reality is there are different cleanses to address different problems.

A simple dietary cleanse is to increase hydration and fiber by eating more raw fruits and veggies, whole grain and water while cutting back or eliminating meats, dairy and refined foods, along with caffiene and alcohol. Look for fruits containing pectin, high fiber and low sugar. This is a slow but sure way to cleanse.

Most people want something a little quicker and more thourough. Here are some popular options:

If you are constipated, your stools are hard and dry and difficult to pass then a magnesium based cleanse is a good place to start. There are commercial products like Oxypowder and Colosan, plus many lesser know brands that contain magnesium peroxide or simple magnesium oxide. Some contain vitamin C or other ingredients. They all work by flooding the body with magnesium that in turn cause the gut to aborb more water to flush out the excess magnesium. The result is softer, sometimes liquid bowel movements. Its a good way to flush out the colon, but there is controversy about whether or not the hardened mucus and "gunk" lining the bowel is affected. Product makers claim released oxygen will eventually soften and remove the built up plaque, but others scoff at this idea.

If you go days between bowel movements, experience cramping and pain and feel like something is stuck inside you, then and herbal laxative cleanse is a good idea. There are many products out there, at all price ranges, that claim to work. Usually the ingredients include senna, Cascara Sagrada or Turkey Rhubabr, all of these are stimulant laxatives. They work by irritating the colon and cause it to contract in its attempt to expel the irritant. Most herbal blends also contain herbs that lubricate the bowel and cleanse the blood. Some contain herbs that stimulate the liver to produce more bile. Some of the formulas can cause pain and cramping, especially at the beginning. A good thing about this cleanse is that it is easy to control your doseage and prevent little surprises of unexpected diarrhea. THe most serious problem is that the bowel can get used to the artificial stimulation and become lazy about producing its natural perestalic movement. Breaks must be taken during stimulant herbal laxative cleanses to avoid becoming dependent.

If you tend to be quite regular with at least daily bowel movements, but the stool is small and thin, then a fiber based cleanse is ideal. Severely constipated or chronically dehydrated people should not use the high fiber cleanse with preparation. The most important ingredient in fiber based cleanses is not the fiber, but water. If a person is not fully hydrated and having regular BMs (even if they tend to be small and thin like a pencil)then they should not rapidly increase their fiber intake. Possibly the most popular fiber is psyllium, it is relatively inexpensive and easy to find. Psyllium can absorb up to forty times its weight in fluid and creates a sponge like mass that sweeps clean the colon. Bran and other fiber sources can also be used. Instead of depending solely on commercial products for fiber, include plenty of raw fruits. Pectin works well with high fiber cleanses as it lubricates the bowel abd helps the mass move easier. If you do not or can not eat raw fruit, then get some whole golden flax seeds. Soak the seeds overnight in a jar of water. Strain out the seeds if desired. The resulting "goo" looks like clear snot, but a tablespoon added to juice or water, or even yogurt or applesauce makes a great lubricant to help ease bowel movements.

There is a great deal of information and product suggestions and reviews in this forum. If you have any specific questions, feel free to E-mail me.