Should You Do A Colonic? (The Surprising Benefits To Consider)

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It can be an uncomfortable topic, in more ways than one, but colonic hydrotherapy has played a key role in many cultures around the world for thousands of years. When executed professionally and with proper care, colonics have the efficacy to remove toxins and unwanted guests from your intestinal tract, which can be a crucial step towards achieving sustainable levels of good health.

A Brief History Of Colonics

The 'Ebers Papyrus', an Egyptian medical document dating back as early as 1500 B.C., outlines the multiple benefits of colon cleansing as recognized by the medical practitioners of the time. During this period, colonic cleansing involved the use of a hollow reed to induce water flow into the rectum and was generally conducted somewhere in the local river system.

Hundreds of years later, the benefits of colonic hydrotherapy continued to emerge as European populations adopted and popularized the practice to assist with health maintenance and the treatment of fever, anxiety, and illness.

During the early 1900's, advances in technology paved the way for a more comprehensive cleansing of the large intestine and increased the popularity of the practice further. Today, colonic hydrotherapy is practiced within most global cultures and plays a major role in disease prevention for many people.

How Does It Work?

During colon therapy, the patient lies on a comfortable, custom-built treatment bed while a small speculum is gently inserted into the rectum, which allows warm, filtered water to pass into the colon.

Modern colon hydrotherapy equipment utilizes multi-stage water purification systems and disposable contact elements, which eliminate any contamination or infection risks. The hydrotherapy equipment is a closed system which allows waste material to be discretely carried from the colon to the drainage line without offensive odor or visual contact.

A skilled colonic therapist uses multiple stages of fill and release, as well as a light massage technique to dislodge toxic waste matter that may be stuck to the walls of the colon. During the therapy, water temperature and pressure is monitored by the therapist and can be varied as necessary on an individual basis.

Health Benefits Of A Clean Colon

After food has passed through your stomach and small intestine, the residual material moves to the first section of your large intestine - your colon. At approximately 6 feet long, your colon's primary job is to dehydrate liquid waste material in preparation for excretion. The average colon contains nearly 60 varieties of microflora and bacteria which aid digestion and promote nutrient production. This helps to maintain pH balance and prevent the growth and proliferation of harmful bacteria.

Keeping your colon clean can provide many substantial health benefits including:

• Lower risk of developing bowel cancer; a leading type of cancer in most industrialized countries
• Lower risk of experiencing discomfort from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), chronic constipation, and chronic diarrhea
• Lower risk of developing hemorrhoids
• Less undesirable gas production
• More productive absorption of water and nutrients
• A feeling of lightness and comfort in your abdominal region

Alternatives To Colonic Therapy:

Enemas

An enema is a self-administered colonic therapy which involves a quantity of water being taken into the body through the rectum after which it travels approximately 6 to 8 inches up the colon. This water is generally held inside the body for up to 20 minutes and then expelled into the toilet. Enemas are not considered to be as thorough as colonic hydrotherapy as they do not access the whole length of the colon. Some people also claim that retaining such a volume of water can be uncomfortable and that self-administering the treatment can be difficult and slightly awkward for first-timers.

Magnesium Oxide

If you're not particularly comfortable with certain components of rectally administered colon therapy, then perhaps an orally administered cleanse may be the way to go. Natural magnesium oxide has been used for decades in naturopathic medicine as a strong but safe laxative, which assists in cleansing the entire digestive tract. Some people claim that one week of magnesium oxide treatment produces even better results than colonic hydrotherapy, thanks to the added benefit of being able to cleanse the small intestine as well. The main purpose of taking the magnesium oxide is that when activated, it releases oxygen within the digestive tract which helps to liquefy the impacted waste lining the colon, thus promoting an easier excretion process. Taking magnesium oxide is a safe and gentle way to stimulate intestinal cleansing, however, if you intend to explore this option, be sure to account for the fact that you'll require easy access to a bathroom for a few hours.

Dietary Colon Cleansing

If all of the above options make you feel a little uncomfortable, there's one very basic method that can be employed to cleanse your colon without any of the obvious inconveniences. Incorporating colon cleansing foods into your diet is the easiest way to promote good health within your digestive tract. Here are a few elements to consider:

1. Plant Based Fibers - A high-fiber diet supports a healthy digestive tract by clearing toxic waste from the colon, much like a broom

2. Food Matters Recommended Superfood Greens - The chlorophyll component of many green foods (such as alfalfa, wheatgrass, barley grass, spirulina and blue-green algae) makes them ideal for colon cleansing. Chlorophyll helps the body to synthesize more oxygen and draw out toxins.

3. Fermented Foods - Yogurt, kefir and other fermented foods are able to replenish friendly bacteria in the digestive tract, which stimulate the immune system and help to crowd out any less beneficial bacteria.

4. Water - Water is the universal solvent and most people don’t drink enough of it. Drinking plenty of water helps to keep the digestive tract lubricated and reduces the risk of constipation and toxic waste buildup.

Have You Used Any Of These Colon Cleansing Techniques? Share Your Experience With Us In The Comments Below.

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