Why You Should Avoid Getting a Colon Cleanse
Jake Newby
| 4 min read
Jake Newby is a brand journalist for Blue Cross Blue...
Contrary to some of the marketing you may have seen online, your colon doesn’t need to be detoxed, flushed or rinsed. It needs to be supported with healthy habits and monitored with appropriate medical screening.
The human body is designed to handle waste removal on its own. Aside from being generally unnecessary, a colon cleanse can be more harmful than helpful in most cases.
What is a colon cleanse?
A colon cleanse – sometimes known as a colonic irrigation or colon hydrotherapy – is a procedure intended to flush out the large intestine. This can be done with large volumes of water, herbal solutions, laxatives or special supplements.
The idea behind it is that waste builds up along the walls of the colon and needs to be removed to improve health. Colon cleanse proponents may claim this procedure boosts energy, enhances immunity and promotes weight loss. But no credible scientific evidence supports these claims.
Your colon doesn’t need to be rinsed manually; the digestive system already eliminates waste and bacteria through regular bowel movements. In healthy individuals, the digestive system does its job remarkably well without outside intervention.
Why can colon cleanses be risky?
While the promise of feeling “cleaned out” might sound appealing, colon cleanses come with real risks. Potential side effects, according to Harvard Health, include:
- Diarrhea
- Cramping
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dehydration
- Irregular bowel activity
- Anal irritation
- Bowel tears or infection from colonics
Frequent use of laxatives or cleansing products can also disrupt your gut microbiome, according to some studies. The gut microbiome is the beneficial bacteria that play a crucial role in digestion, immunity, and overall health.
Even more concerning, colon cleanses may give people a false sense of security. Feeling lighter or less bloated after a cleanse doesn’t mean you’ve improved your colon health. It simply means you’ve emptied your bowels. That’s not the same as disease prevention.
The myth of “detoxing”
One of the biggest selling points of colon cleanses is detoxification. But certain organs in your body already act as a detox system; your liver, kidneys and digestive tract work to filter and eliminate waste. When those organs function properly, toxins do not build up and therefore do not need to be flushed out with a tube or supplement. And if they’re not functioning properly, you should avoid the quick-fix attempt and seek care from a medical professional.
Recommended ways to support colon health
Supporting your colon starts with a healthy lifestyle. Here’s what you can do:
Eat more fiber: Fiber keeps your bowel movements regular and supports healthy gut bacteria. Aim for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, avocados and legumes.
Stay hydrated: Water helps fiber do its job and prevent constipation.
Exercise regularly: Physical activity aids digestion, which promotes regular bowel function.
Limit ultra-processed foods, processed foods and red meats: Diets high in processed meats and low in fiber are associated with increased colorectal cancer risk.
Don’t ignore symptoms: Persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss or ongoing abdominal pain should be evaluated by your primary care provider and potentially for a specialist after that.
Why colonoscopies are the gold standard in colorectal care
A colonoscopy is a medical screening tool that allows a physician to directly examine the inside of your colon. Colonoscopies help find polyps in the colon or cancer at an early stage before serious symptoms appear.
During a colonoscopy, the doctor uses a thin, flexible tube to check for polyps or cancer inside the rectum and the colon. The doctor is able find and remove most polyps during the procedure and biopsy areas suspicious for cancer. Colonoscopies are also used as follow-up for other screening tests, which can include a number of stool tests and a flexible sigmoidoscopy. Most adults at average risk should begin screening at age 45.
A colon cleanse might promise a quick fix and fresh start, but a colonoscopy represents prevention, which is far more tangible and important. Practicing prevention can help you live a life free of chronic conditions and diseases, while keeping you out of an expensive health care system as much as possible.
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Photo credit: Getty Images
