It goes without saying that in-between your detoxes you should live a healthy lifestyle – stop smoking, eat fresh fruits and vegetables, consume lean meat and avoid sugar, fat and caffeine. These are really the basics to prevent a critical build up of toxins in the system. However, here are some extra tips that you can try to have an even better experience while waiting for your next cleanse.

• Your first drink in the morning should be water with fresh lemon. Lemon will stimulate your digestive system and getting the bowels moving.
• At some stage through the day, you should eat a yogurt high in probiotic. Probiotic are live bacteria which are the good type which live in the digestive system. When you have plenty of this good bacterium, your bowels will function better with less bloating  and constipation and more regularity.
• A must is to consume lots of fiber. This will increase the size of your stools which pushes out the waste from your digestive tract. Fiber also facilitates the growth of good bacteria in the bowels.
• Consume prebiotics which are non-digestible food ingredients which can increase the levels of good bacteria.
• Aloe juice is a natural laxative which can cleanse the bowel and keep the digestive system healthy. It is best to drink it before meals, twice a day.
• Don’t consume cold food or cold drinks while eating food. The body finds it easiest to digest food at body temperature. If you eat cold food or drink it will slow down the digestive processes and the body will have more difficulty in processing the food.
• Finally, don’t overeat. If you continually eat until you are over-full you will put pressure on your digestive system which will need to slow down to processes the excess amount of food. A good rule of thumb is to eat until you are three-quarters full.

When our digestive systems are under pressure and overloaded with toxins from poor lifestyle and dietary habits, its slows down and possibly comes blocked. Normally, the toxins in our bowels are removed through the natural digestive processes but when the colon is blocked these toxins remain in the body and are recycled back through the system. In this situation, the levels of toxins in the body steadily creeps upwards and begin to affect how other organs function.

A colon detox or colon cleanse is a little like giving your car a regular service. Removing the toxins through a colon cleanse ensures that it can operate at its best. Once the body is free from the toxins and parasites, the organs improve in their function and the body starts working more effectively. The benefits of colon cleansing can include weight loss, improved mood and health, clearer skin and reduced stress.

You should only do a colon detox on an infrequent basis. How infrequently is dependent on a number of factors include the strength of the cleanse that you use and how your body responds.

One of the main reasons for constipation is stress. When you are stressed, the muscles of the bowel become tight and constipation is the result. A tell tale sign of constipation caused by a tight bowel is pellet-like stools. A good way to relieve this type of constipation is to take magnesium supplements which will relax the muscles and undertake cardio exercises like running or swimming.

It is important that you chew your food properly and slowly. If you consume food too quickly and in large chunks it will put pressure on the bowel. Furthermore, chewing causes wave-like contractions and relaxation of muscles that propels food through the digestive tract. In this way, chewing can actually stimulate your bowel to move and helps you to keep you regular.

Another cause of constipation is a lack of water. Without adequate levels of fluid in the body, the bowel becomes dry without its natural lubrication. This means that it can be difficult for the digestive system to move stools through the tract. To prevent this, drink around 2 litres of water a day.

Finally, probably the easiest way to prevent constipation is to eat plenty of fiber. You need at least 30 grams per day and you can find this amount in fiber-rich foods like brown rice, fruit, vegetables and wholemeal grains. Fiber bulks up the size of the stool which pushes against the walls of the digestive tract and causes the muscles of the bowel to push it through the system.

Those who swear by colonic irrigation claim that it can treat just about everything – acne, irritable bowels, depression and more. The theory is that it cleans out the bowels from blockages and toxins which increases the health of the digestive tract, stimulate your immune system and increase your energy.

So what actually happens during a session? A hose is inserted into the rectum and a machine pumps water through it into the digestive tract. The machine assists in pumping the water back out of the body and with it all the waste, toxins and bacteria which are causing a sluggish digestive system. During the treatment you may feel nausea (which can last for a few hours after treatment) and experience cramps in the abdomen.

It is in the days following that most people notice the benefits. Many patients reports that their skin improves, their eyes are brighter and they have increased energy.

Colonic irrigation is not for everyone. Obviously, there is the potential embarrassment and discomfort that comes with it. There is also the cost at $100 per session that can put it out of many people’s price ranges. If you are interested in colon cleansing but want to avoid colonic irrigation, there are plenty of colon cleansing products that you can use in the comfort of your own home at a fraction of the cost. These products will gently cleanse the colon without the need to attend a clinic or special equipment.

For more information, I found that the Institute of Professional Colon Hydrotherapy has some good information.

The fact is that most – if not all – colon cleaners are not designed specifically for weight loss. Some people do report the fact that they lose weight of about 5 to 20 pounds. However, this is not due to the loss of fat. Instead, it is typically the removal of impacted waste from inside the intestine or simply water weight. Furthermore, a colon cleanser can help with bloating which can make it appear that someone has lost weight from around their stomach area.

Some cleansers do add acai berry to their formulation and this can assist in the reduction of fat. However, it is the acai berry and not the cleansing process itself which helps in this regard.

With all this said and done, it is possible for a colon cleanse to kick start your weight loss program. A poor diet high in saturated fats and carbohydrates can slow down your colon and – among other things – cause you to lose energy and desire for a healthy lifestyle. By colon cleansing properly, you can increase your energy and metabolism, improve your mood and look forward to exercising more and eating a healthy diet. Many people report that after a colon cleanse they actually started to eat and began to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, and other organic produce. One field of thought is that this is because a colon detox can actually improve your sense of taste.

I would hesitate to recommend any colon cleansing product that makes any claim that it will help with weight loss. If you can’t trust the advertising and marketing of the product then there is very little trust you can put in the actual product itself and its ingredients. It is best to go with products that provide you with advice on how to colon cleanse safely and effectively, and then use the improvement in mood and energy following the detox to get stuck into a proper healthy eating and diet plan.

Colon cleansing is definitely not for everyone. Even just the thought of it will turn a lot of people off. That is why I constantly tell people to do their research and make a decisions for themselves. Not matter what opinion you have, there will be plenty of websites and resources out there that will either confirm your thinking or argue against it. Natural and alternative therapies tend to be like that – that is why they are “alternative” and go against the established grain.

Also, your personal experience with cleansing can differ based on the quality of the colon cleanser used.

Personally, I get benefits from cleansing that means I do it several times per year. I first began with a high fiber diet and supplements but didn’t feel that it went far enough. When I first tried a proper colon cleanser, I found a lot of strange stuff was flushed out of my system. I lost a little bit of weight (but not a lot) and felt better all overall. I’m glad I tried a colon cleansing product and continue to use it.

You might feel differently about cleansing when you give it a try. But you won’t know unless you do give it a go.

Here is a quick list of foods that is high in fiber that I try to consume regular amounts of in between using colon cleansers.

1. Broccoli

Not only is broccoli high in fiber, it contains high amount of nutrients and anti oxidants. It is an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K. Research has indicated that it may prevent colon cancer, cataracts and heat disease.

2. Apples

Apples only have a moderate amount of fiber. However, it also contains lots of phytonutrients that provide the same health benefits of foods high in fiber. Apples also have been shown to give you whiter teeth, prevent alzheimer’s and reduce your chance of a range of cancers.

3. Bananas

Bananas are high in fiber and contain between 12 to 20 per cent of your daily recommended amount. A banana can be a quick and easy way to eliminate constipation. More so, bananas have been shown to be good for your nerves, heart, kidney, bones, blood and your mood.

4. Avocados

You can find 10 to 12 grams of fiber in an average sized avocado. More so, avocados are a high source of monounsaturated fat – “the “good” fat that reduces peoples cholesterol levels. Avocados are also easy to find ways to creatively put them in your diet – my rule of thumb is to use mashed avocado instead of butter.

5. Pears

The average pear has 5 to 6 grams of fiber. They have cancer fighting nutrients, are high in antioxidants, help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels and assist in preventing vision problems in older people.

• Increase risk of dehydration
• Small tears to the colon
• Nausea and cramps
• Potential interactions with medications

Repetitive or heavy use of a colon cleanser will increase the likelihood of these side effects occurring. Frequent use can also cause your body to become use to the cleanser meaning that the only way you will be able to go to the toilet is while using a cleanser.

It is for the above reasons that it is important only to do colon cleansing on an infrequent basis with plenty of time in between cleansers.

Furthermore, as with any natural or unconventional approach, you should speak to a medical doctor first, especially if you have any health difficulties or taking medication. Examine the list of ingredients that are found in the colon cleanser and make sure there aren’t herbs that can cause health problems. Finally, drink plenty of fluids while you cleanse to prevent dehydration.

When you have examined and researched the potential side effects and benefits of colon cleansing, it is then time to make an informed decision about whether you go ahead or not. If you do decide on cleansing, follow the product’s directions and if you experience any serious side effects cease the cleanse immediately.

Finally, it should be remembered that thousands of people have done colon cleansing in a very safe and beneficial way. To ensure that you also have a safe experience, do your research, speak to your health professional and make sure that colon cleansing is the right thing for you. Above all, be conservative in your approach.

Many cheaper or inferior colon cleansers use herbs from Asia or the Sub-Continent where standards for growing herbs are much lower than other countries.  While these herbs are inexpensive, they tend to be of a lower grade and often contain contaminates like trace metals and insecticides. Companies also tend to utilize the whole plant as a way to increase the bulk of the product. However, in most cases only certain sections of the plants are required to give the desired effect and adding the rest of the plant only increases the amount of non-active herbs rather than increase its potency.

If you are looking to buy a colon cleanser and are unsure where they import their herbs, it is often a good idea to ask them for proof of the herbs’ country of origin and whether they are regularly tested for contaminates and toxins. The ideal herbal ingredients will be certified as being organic or wildcraft – which means they are picked from the wild. Finally, any capsules that house the herbs should be free of glue or animal byproducts.

It is often difficult to determine the quality of ingredients simply from a company’s website or packaging. However, if the herbs country of origin is not mentioned anywhere clearly then this can be a clue to inferior herbs. Often, a company who is using organic or wildcraft herbs will proudly display this fact at any opportunity. A less reliable clue is a high number of customer reviews containing complaints about bad side effects. This is often a sign of poor quality ingredients or high levels of toxins. A good way to get a quick idea about the quality and effectiveness of a cleanser is to look at a colon cleanse reviews website – this is one of the better ones.

If you think about it, the idea behind colon cleansing is to actually eliminate toxins – not to unwillingly introduce new toxins through the cleansing process via inferior ingredients. This is why it is important to ensure that the ingredients are high quality and free of toxins. Trust me, you body will thank you for it.

Unfortunately, there is no modern scientific evidence to support this theory and it has fallen out of favor with most medical doctors these days. However, some companies continue to market their colon cleansing products  based on this theory, despite any evidence to support their claims.

Does this mean that colon cleansing doesn’t have its benefits? It depends on what you are after. Most colon cleansers are essentially laxatives which cause you to go to the toilet. This makes them a potentially good choice for those healthy people who are suffering from occasional constipation. Beyond that, any benefits that you gain from a colon cleanse will be subjective and vary from person to person. Some will get tremendous results and feel terrific; others will find side effects like bloating, gas and emergency exists to the toilet too much or simply feel worse overall.

Colon cleansing can help some people lose weight. But there is nothing magical about it. A bout of diarrhea will make you lose weight over a day or so due to – among other things – the increase in bowel movements and the loss of fluids. A cleanse will work in a similar way.

A colon cleanser should never be used long term. This will lead to all sorts of health problems and potential dependency on the product. Instead it should be used in short bursts with a significant gap of time in between.

The purpose of this post isn’t to criticize the actual process of colon cleansing. It has its benefits and I do a colon detox several times a year as it find it makes me feel better, reduces bloating and kick starts my metabolism. However, I know of others who absolutely hate it. Anyone thinking of taking this path should avoid the fantastical marketing claims and arms themselves with down-to-earth, scientific information so that they can make an informed decision. They should listen to the other side of the coin, so to speak, and make up their own mind. If you are relying on a marketer or a company for non-biased information then you are potentially letting yourself get misled.

In short: do your own research and make a decision based on facts.

Here are some good articles to help you get started: MayoClinic, WebMd and Wikipedia.