Colon cleanse? Anyone have any tips?

[DDBoles]

Hey everyone, I've been reading about the health/weight loss benefits of doing a colon cleanse. There are so many products or home-remedies out there though, I wasn't sure what to do. Has anyone got any info about what you've tried that worked for you?

One thing I read said many people carry around as much as 20LBS excess "STUFF" in their colon!! I couldn't believe that but I sure would like to cleanse myself of it if that's true!

Thanks!

Donna

[sadie147]

i don't believe the colon cleanse hype at all and believe it can actually be dangerous. Colon cleanses clean everything out, including the 'good' bacteria your digestive system needs..and throws off the balance of it.

If you get all of yoru fibre (25g's a day is recommended), and eat whole foods, you should not need a colon cleanse.

All they are is a strong laxitive and a waste of money IMO. Psyllium fibre and a good diet will do exactly the same in a natural way, without the dangers.

What I always wonder is...the years of 'toxic waste' that these companies claim we have in us. Why don't Dr.'s /hospitals see all this 'waste' and parasites they claim is in there when they do colonoscopies?

Sorry I don't mean to sound harsh, but like diet pills, I hate these promises of health benefits from something that can be dangerous and bad for your health.

[DDBoles]

The more I have read just this morning, the more I think you're right. I believe if I try it, it will be a diet-based cleansing, not medicine. Thanks for the help. You've had a lot of success on Atkins I see! I'm always amazed at people's success stories. Kudos to you!

I would love to ask you what you eat for breakfast! LOL This has been a huge struggle for me as I've tried to stick with Atkins. Any suggestions?

[sadie147]

I"m glad to see you researched it a little more, though the internet can be such a confusing place for things like this! Doing a diet based detox is your best bet. Nothing is better for you than whole foods and lots of high fibre veggies.

For your breakfast question, I'm a big fan of eggs, so my breakfasts usually consisted of a couple of scrambled eggs with canadian bacon, or an omlette or quiche (that i would make before hand in muffin cups..and freeze for the week). I'd also usually have some canned pure pumpkin with a bit of splenda, cinnamon and cream cheese sometimes as a mid morning snack, or a boiled egg.

Now that I'm in maintenance, I usually have a couple of pieces of whole grain (i love sprouted grains bread) toast, or some steel cut oats, or an omlette.

Remember that breakfast doesn't have to be traditional breakfast foods either, you can have chicken, steak, leftovers from last night etc.

If you are struggling, and you are past your two weeks induction, it's a good idea to move onto OWL, the added foods add more variety to your menu and help beat boredom.

Thanks for the Kudos!

[LuckyD]

Go to You Tube and look up colon cleanse. That will snap you out of ever wanting to try it.

[annes09]

Yes there are many information site on the internet about colon cleansing and most of them are promotional sites. Here are some good resources for you to watch and read on... cleanse your colon - CBS news video
Do a Cleanse - wikihow article, and many more articles online.

[Mrs. Hartzell]

Personally, I do a Master Cleanse once a year and LOVE it. It is not for weight loss, which is why most people do it. It is VERY difficult to do, but if you can get through it you will be soooo happy you did. What all the commercial colon cleansers speak of is true, but the method is something that you sould spend a considerable amout of time researching to decide which is best for you. Personally, the MC is a 100 %natural way to cleanse my body of all the crap I have put into it over time. And yes, crap still comes out of me, even after ten days of not eating, and that my friend is not hype! Most important, do not believe the gimmicks of some companies trying to sell their product. The MC only requires lemons, water, chayanne pepper, and grade B mayple syrup...oh and some sea salt for the oh so fun salt water flushes every day! Now thats fun!

[shaunawa]

I have found that after being on a low carb diet that I am not regular. I did however find that a flax muffin every other day takes care of any issues that I have. (I tend to share it with a friend cuz they are pretty powerful) They are easy to make, and are pretty tasty to say the least.

[Sunny_0ne]

If you have ever had a colonoscopy and watched the screen, you will know that those advertisements that show the thick coating of stuff on your colon walls are absolutely false.

I find all the scare-mongering unethical and immoral.

If you get enough fiber to have a daily bowel movement, your colon is probably as clean as it should be.

[momtomany1]

Step away from the Herbal colon cleanse.

I should have known better, really, I should have.

Went to a health fair yesterday, got my flu shot, had a cholesterol and glucose test drawn (they mail results) so far, so good.

At one of the tables in the fair, the samples they hand out were 'super colon cleanse', three capsuled of herbal colon whatever, instructions to take all three in the evening. So hey.. its herbs right?

A clean colon sounds great right?

I got the first twinges trying to eat my breakfast. Completely nauseous at 5:30 am. Stayed nauseous going to work, trying to work. Office lady sees my green face and offers to take my place. I say no.. tough it out, gotta bathroom nearby. It would pressure them to try to take her away from her job. By 9 am.. cramping, and the 'runs' begins. Still experiencing that now....6 hours later. Did manage to stay at work, feel sorry for everyone who used the facilities after me. Am now home wrapped in a robe feeling completely drained, brewing some ginger tea.

The only redeeming factor being at least I did not pay for that crud. So much for my workout today.. but I know I can't gain weight today! All I have managed to keep on my tummy is a little cottage cheese.

I offer my foolish experiment in hopes it may save someone else losing one of THEIR days. Mine's shot!

There ain't much in my colon. But it is NOT a 'good thing.'