What is Colon Cleansing & Is It Safe?

Part of the colon's job is to eliminate toxins from the body.  That's why you go to the bathroom!  Therefore, anything indigestible, or otherwise classified as "waste" by the body, is eliminated via the colon.  Of course, other organs, such as the skin, liver, and kidneys, also play a significant role in detoxifying the body.

However, the colon sometimes needs special attention, as experts note how wastes and undigested food matter can accumulate in that organ to an alarming degree.  Some natural health practitioners and nutritionists claim that the natural mucus lining of the colon can harden and putrefy, creating a host of health problems.

So How Do You Cleanse the Colon?

There are a couple of ways to do this, either separately or combined.

Journal of Dietary Supplements (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Supplements/Pills

You can purchase a colon cleansing kit at most health food stores and some drug stores and pharmacies, and just follow the directions.  These kits are comprised of various supplements designed to eliminate toxins from the colon.  You can take the pills and continue with your diet as usual, but some who have tried this say they don't feel really "cleaned out," and sometimes unpleasant side effects can result.

2. Special Diets or Fasts

There are a host of special colon-cleansing diets out there, from the famous "Master Cleanse" or lemonade diet - during which you drink only lemon juice mixed with water and maple syrup for several days - to smoothies.  There are also juice cleanses, and raw vegetable and fruit cleanses.  Some people simply adopt a healthier diet that includes more whole, unrefined foods and fiber.  These dietary changes can be done on their own, or sometimes in addition to supplementation.

But Is It Safe?

Some medical experts warn that colon cleansing can be dangerous due to possible electrolyte imbalances.  If practiced excessively, some experts warn that colon cleanses can stress the kidneys and heart.  The key is to undergo a cleanse with medical supervision and knowledge.  Here are some things to keep in mind to make cleansing safer.

1. Involve your family physician or consult a naturopathic physician
Tell your doctor that you want to undergo a colon cleanse, and he or she can work with you with regard to your state of health and what, if any, method you should use. Your doctor can inform you of the symptoms of electrolyte imbalance or other possible problems so that, if these begin to occur, you can stop the cleanse immediately.

Healthy vegetables. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2. Use clean techniques
If enemas are part of your colon cleansing regimen, make sure they are done by a professional who uses sterile equipment.

3. Start slowly
Try gentle methods first, such as a one-day juice fast, or a naturally cleansing diet for a specified number of days. For example, the Total Wellness Cleanse includes a very healthy, safe and natural diet that is gentle on your body.

In summary, colon cleansing can be a good way to detoxify your body occasionally.  Before beginning, do your homework, and determine the method that will work best for you, and be sure to consult with a professional before starting. 

Video: Detoxification Is About Food - Not Pills

No matter what your goals are for detoxing, it's a great way to make your body healthier. This short video gives you a brief overview of our favorite cleanse and detox program - The Total Wellness Cleanse. As he explains in the video, cleansing is about food - not pills! Or at least it should be....

In order to give your body the support it needs to detoxify itself naturally, you need to give it the correct nutrition. The Total Wellness Cleanse is a nutrition program that will teach you how to do just this. No crazy lemon juice diets, weeks where you can only eat soup, or anything like that. This is a program that teaches you how to eat real foods that feed and heal your body, and support all of its detoxification systems. With daily guidance, step-by-step instructions, and delicious recipes and daily menu ideas, this system is the complete package when it comes to natural and gentle detoxification.

Check out the video and you'll see why....



Click Here to Learn More About The Total Wellness Cleanse:

5 Tips for Managing Detox Side Effects and Symptoms

There is no better time than summer to implement a detox diet. With all the delicious fresh fruits and veggies available, it's easy to find local and organically grown produce in abundance. Detox diets can be great for your health. You can lose weight on a detox diet. You can gain more energy and mental clarity. You can also reduce food sensitivities and allergy symptoms by eliminating foods that cause them. However, many detox programs also come with some challenging side effects, although their severity will depend on how toxic you are to start with.

Here’s how to manage these side effects effectively.

#1. Be prepared.

The most important step to managing detox side effects is to be prepared for them. Know what to expect and then you can plan for it. For example, many detox programs cause:

* Headaches
* Insomnia
* Irritability and mood swings
* Digestion changed including diarrhea and gas
* Fatigue

#2. Plan to relax.

Detoxing during your normal and potentially stressful work week can be extra challenging. It’s better to detox during a time period when you can relax. You can sleep when you need to. You can walk, read and simply treat yourself well. Being able to set hectic life aside and relax while you detox will make managing the symptoms much easier.

#3. Drink plenty of water.

Water will help reduce the detox symptoms. Detoxing can cause you to become dehydrated. This will make the symptoms worse and can actually cause headaches and insomnia as the toxins stored in your tissues make their way into your blood stream. Plan to drink several glasses of water or herbal tea daily to avoid dehydration and its side effects. It’ll also help flush the toxins out of your body more quickly.

#4. Pamper yourself.

Take a detox bath or go to the spa. Pamper yourself with a sauna or a massage. Both actually help facilitate the detox process. They also help you relax and focus on feeling good. If going to the spa isn’t your cup of tea consider enjoying a movie marathon or an afternoon reading and getting plenty of fresh air and sunshine. Do whatever you enjoy doing so you can focus on feeling good, strong and healthy.

#5. Utilize vitamins and supplements.

Make sure you get plenty of nutrition during your detox process. Take a good quality multi-vitamin. Make sure you get enough vitamin D. Also consider taking calcium and an Omega 3 supplement. Many detox plans eliminate most common foods. Even if you’re consuming juice you’re missing out on many of the vitamins you’d otherwise ingest. Taking a supplement can help you feel better during detox and manage symptoms. Also consider taking a detoxification supplement such as milk thistle, which will help cleanse the liver and support organ functions throughout your detox.

Do not drink caffeine or take stimulants during a detox plan. They can significantly worsen your symptoms. If you’re struggling to manage side effects, consider modifying the detox. You can ease into it by slowly eliminating foods over a period of a few days.

Detoxing is challenging for the healthiest of people. Plan ahead, pamper yourself and consider easing into the diet. To your great health!

For a gentle detox diet that works with your body naturally (and really works), check out the resource below - my favorite detox method.... 

Video - pHion Detox System Overview

Here is a quick overview of a good detox/cleanse program, if you are going to go the supplement route, vs. the dietary method (we will discuss more on the differences between these two in the weeks ahead, and how and when to use one vs. the other, or a combination of the two).

Whole Body Detoxification Supplement - Detox Your Liver & Much More!
Detoxify Your WHOLE Body, Liver, Lymph & Kidneys! www.phionbalance.com pHion Whole Body Detoxification helps to eliminate bacteria, yeast and fungi - as well as the mycotoxins, exotoxins and endotoxins they produce - throughout your WHOLE body.


Click Here to Learn More, or click on a product below.


pHion Cleanze - Capsules
The Gentle, Yet Powerful Cleanse! The secret behind pHion Cleanze's efficacy is its ionic nature. The negatively charged elements in pHion Cleanze binds and remove acids, microforms, toxins, and heavy metals from your colon.


pHion D-tox - Capsules
Detoxify Your WHOLE Body! pHion D-tox helps to eliminate bacteria, yeast, and fungi - as well as the toxins they produce - throughout your WHOLE body. Plus, it will give your liver, kidneys and lymphatic system a detox tune-up. Eliminates yeast, fungi, and bacteria. pHion D-tox contains a comprehensive blend of herbal extracts and dietary ingredients that kill yeast, fungi and harmful organisms.


pHion Cleanze and D-tox Pack - Capsules
The Cleanze and D-tox Pack contains everything you need to cleanse & detoxify your entire body.  Includes: pH-boosting alkaline water additives, Cleansing & detoxifying elements with beneficial probiotics and prebiotics.