| Colon cleansing | |
|---|---|
 Large enema equipment for colon cleansing | |
| Alternative therapy | |
| Claims | Removal of unspecified toxins |
Colon cleansing, also known ascolon therapy,colon hydrotherapy, acolonic, orcolonic irrigation, encompasses a number ofalternative medical therapies claimed to remove toxins from thecolon and intestinal tract by removing accumulations offeces. Colon cleansing in this context should not be confused with anenema which introduces fluid into the colon, often under mainstream medical supervision, for a limited number of purposes including severe constipation[1] and medical imaging.[2]
Some forms of colon hydrotherapy use tubes to injectwater, sometimes mixed with herbs or other liquids, into the colon via the rectum using special equipment. Oral cleaning regimes usedietary fiber, herbs,dietary supplements, orlaxatives. Those who practice colon cleansing believe in autointoxication, that accumulations of putrefied feces line the walls of thelarge intestine and that these accumulations harborparasites or pathogenicgut flora, causingnonspecific symptoms and general ill health.
Autointoxication, a term coined in 1884 by the French physicianCharles Jacques Bouchard,[3] is a hypothesis based on medical beliefs of theancient Egyptians andGreeks and was discredited in the early 20th century.[4] Nonetheless, during the 2000s Internet marketing andinfomercials of oral supplements supposedly for colon cleansing increased.[5]
There is no scientific evidence for the alleged benefits of colon cleansing.[4] Certain enema preparations have been associated withheart attacks andelectrolyte imbalances, and improperly prepared or used equipment can cause infection or damage to the bowel. Frequent colon cleansing can lead to dependence on enemas todefecate and some herbs may reduce the effectiveness of, or increase the risks associated with the use of, prescription medications.[6]
The symptoms that are attributed to autointoxication—headache,fatigue,loss of appetite andirritability—may be caused by mechanical distention within the bowel, such asirritable bowel syndrome, rather than toxins from putrefying food.[7][8][9] The benefits anecdotally attributed to colon cleansing are vague, and the claims made by manufacturers and practitioners are based on a flawed understanding of the body.[3][10] There is little evidence of actual benefit to the procedure, and no evidence that it can alleviate the symptoms that are attributed to the theories of colon cleansing.[11]
As the colon normally expels waste, colon cleansing is generally unneeded.[12][13] Colonic irrigation can disrupt the bowel'snormal flora, and, if done frequently, can result in electrolyte depletion withdehydration.[13] Rare but severe adverse events have beenrectal perforation,[14] as well asamoebic infection, from poorly sterilised equipment.[15] Others claim that colon cleansing may impede the colon's shedding of dead cells.[16]
Excessive use ofenemas has also been associated with heart problems, such asheart failure,[13] as well asheart attacks related to electrolyte imbalances when performed as acoffee enema.[17] Frequent enemas or other colon-cleansing tools may lead to dependence and inability to defecate without assistance, as well as potential withdrawal symptoms.[6][7] Herbs taken orally may modulate theabsorption or the activity ofprescription medications.[6]
Medical doctorHarriet Hall writes that "The colon cleanses itself... The idea that its walls are coated with years-old hamburger residue is preposterous".[18]
According to theAmerican Cancer Society, "Availablescientific evidence does not support claims that colon therapy is effective in treating cancer or any other disease".[4]
Colonic irrigation, also known as colon hydrotherapy, colonic hydrotherapy, or a "colonic", is a treatment "to wash out the contents of the large bowel by means of copiousenemas using water or other medication."[19]
During a cleansing enema, liquid is introduced into the colon and retained for five to fifteen minutes.[20] During a colonic, liquid is introduced into the colon and then it is flushed out, and this is repeated until the entire colon is cleared.[21]
Colonic irrigation has been described as an "unwise" procedure as it carries the risk of serious harm and has no proven benefit.[22]
In the United States, theFood and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the production of equipment used in colon hydrotherapy but does not regulate its use, or the supplements used in oral colon-cleansing regimens. Manufacturer claims do not require verification or supporting evidence. The contents of the products are also not verified or tested.[16] The FDA has issued several letters warning manufacturers and suppliers of colon hydrotherapy equipment about making false claims of effectiveness, safety issues, and quality control violations.[7]
The concept of autointoxication, the idea that food enters the intestine and rots, provides a rationale for colon cleansing.[7][23] Theancient Egyptians believed that toxins formed as a result of decomposition within the intestines,[24] and moved from there into thecirculatory system, causingfever and the development ofpus. TheAncient Greeks adopted and expanded the idea, applying their belief in thefour humours. In the 19th century, studies inbiochemistry andmicrobiology seemed to support the autointoxication hypothesis, and mainstream physicians promoted the idea.[8]Daly notes that, historically, "purging was one of the few procedures that a physician could perform with visible, often impressive results and without immediate or obvious dangers".[25]
Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov (1845–1916) became the strongest supporter of the idea of colon cleansing; he thought that toxins could shorten the lifespan. Over time, the concept broadened to autointoxication, which supposes that the body cannot fully dispose of its waste products and toxins, which then accumulate in the intestine.[23] In some cases, the concept led to radical surgeries to remove the colon for unrelated symptoms.[26]
Autointoxication enjoyed some favor in the medical community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but clinicians discarded it as advances in science failed to support its claims.[3][11][23]A 1919 paper entitled "Origin of the so-called auto-intoxication symptom" in theJournal of the American Medical Association marked the beginning of the rejection of the autointoxication hypothesis by the medical community.[8][27]
Despite a lack of scientific support, autointoxication persists in the public imagination. In the 1990s, the practice of colon cleansing experienced a resurgence[3] in thealternative-medical community, supported bytestimonials andanecdotal evidence and promoted by manufacturers of colon-cleansing products.[3][23]
{{cite book}}:|work= ignored (help){{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)[...]purging was one of the few procedures that a physician could perform with visible, often impressive results and without immediate or obvious dangers.
