How to Do a Home Colon Cleanse Naturally
How to Do a Home Colon
Cleanse Naturally
A natural colon cleanse can be done at home using water,
diet, and some over-the-counter products.
Digestive health is important to feeling happy, healthy, and
well.
One essential organ in the digestive system is the colon,
also called the large intestine. Colon health is a significant part of
digestive health.
Some people claim the colon should be cleansed for optimal
digestive wellness. However, research proving the effectiveness of cleanses is
scant and low in quality.
What does a colon cleanse do?
Certain aspects of colon cleansing may be beneficial. It may
help with issues such as constipation or irregular bowel movements.
Other colon cleanse claims, such as removal of toxins and
parasites, are still Debatable.
Ways to do a natural colon cleanse at home
There are a few ways to colon cleanse. You can purchase a
colon-cleansing product, or you can get a colonic irrigation or enema.
Otherwise, you can do simple things to boost or “cleanse”
colon health naturally at home.
The following natural colon cleanses can be done cheaply,
and they’re also quite safe if done correctly.
Reminder: You don’t need to do colon cleanses every day or
even every so often to be healthy, though they may have health benefits when
done periodically.
Hydration
Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is a great way
to regulate digestion. Drinking lukewarm water has been shown to be good for
digestion as well.
Also, try eating plenty of foods high in water content. This
includes fruits and vegetables like watermelons, tomatoes, lettuce, and celery.
In fact, there are lots of foods that help cleanse the colon
naturally through diet.
Saltwater flush
You can also try a saltwater flush. This could be an option
for people experiencing constipation and irregularity.
However, keep in mind that there’s little to no scientific
evidence that a saltwater flush for colon cleansing works. There are mostly
claims and anecdotal stories on the internet from people who believe saltwater
flushes worked for them.
If you would like to try a saltwater cleanse for yourself,
it’s best to speak with your doctor beforehand. Once you’re ready to give this
a try, here are a few tips for how to do it.
Before eating in the morning, mix 2 teaspoons salt with
lukewarm water. People often use sea salt or Himalayan salt.
Drink water quickly on an empty stomach, and in a few
minutes, you may feel an urge to go to the bathroom.
Do this in the morning and in the evening, and make sure to
stay home near the bathroom for a while after the cleanse. You may need to go to the bathroom
multiple times.
High fiber diet
Fiber is an essential macronutrient to have in the diet.
It’s found in whole, healthy plant foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts,
seeds, and more.
Plants contain cellulose and fibers that help “bulk” up the
excess matter in the colon. They also regulate constipation and overactive
bowels, while boosting helpful bacteria as a prebiotic.
Make sure to eat plenty of high fiber foods, which help a
healthy colon. They can also be great for gut bacteria too.
Juices and smoothies
Juices are popular colon cleansers. These include fruit and
vegetable juice fasts and cleanses like master cleanses.
There isn’t enough research on these for the colon, however.
In fact, some research points out risks.
Even so, a moderate intake of juices and juicing can be good
for you. Juice blends contain some fiber and nutrients that benefit digestion.
They also hold water to help hydrate and keep up regularity.
What’s more, a study in 2015 found that vitamin C may help
cleanse the colon. Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables added to
juice blends.
Juice fast
Popular juices in juice fasts and cleanses include apple
juice, lemon juice, and vegetable juices. However, smoothies over juices could
be more beneficial for the colon and overall health.
Since pulp and skins are removed when juicing, juices
contain less fiber. Fiber is great for the colon, and smoothies hold a lot more
fiber.
You don’t need to fast and drink only juices and smoothies
to get any benefit. Just try including more in your diet, such as with a daily
juice or smoothie.
More resistant starches
Resistant starches are similar to fiber. They’re also found
in plant foods like potatoes, rice, legumes, green bananas, and grains.
These promote a healthy colon by boosting gut microflora.
There is a downside, though. Resistant starches are found in
carbohydrates. Still, if following a low carb diet, you can choose options that
cause fewer blood sugar spikes. These include rice and waxy potatoes.
Including these in the diet, like fiber, can be great for
cleansing the colon.
Probiotics
Adding probiotics to your diet is another way to cleanse the
colon. This also boosts overall health in many other ways.
You can get more probiotics by taking probiotic supplements.
Also, eat lots of probiotic-rich foods, like yogurt, kimchi, pickles, and other
fermented foods.
Probiotics introduce good bacteria to the gut with the help
of fiber and resistant starches. These curb inflammation and promote regularity
— two elements of digestive health related to the colon.
Apple cider vinegar is also considered a probiotic and is included
in colon cleanses. The enzymes and acids that apple cider vinegar contains
supposedly suppress bad bacteria. Currently, there are very few, animal-based
studies on this.
Herbal teas
Herbal teas may assist digestive health via the colon.
Laxative herbs like psyllium, aloe vera, marshmallow root,
and slippery elm may help with constipation. Make sure to talk with your doctor
and follow directions closely before using these herbs. And use them sparingly
— otherwise, they can be harmful.
Other herbs like ginger, garlic, and cayenne pepper contain
antimicrobial phytochemicals. These are thought to suppress bad bacteria. For
this reason, they’re included in lots of cleanses, though studies are needed.
What should you know before doing a natural colon cleanse?
In case you are interested in one of the above natural colon
cleanses, doing one in a gentle fashion at home is usually safe.
Combining these with fasting, or increasing the frequency of
their use, can have risks. If you have high blood pressure and must keep your
sodium intake low, avoid saltwater flushes.
Colon cleanse side effects
Side effects of intense cleanses include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Dehydration
Electrolyte imbalances
Cramping
If any of these symptoms occur, stop your cleanse
immediately and talk with your doctor. These symptoms have the risk of leading
to heart failure and digestive damage if the cleanse is continued. An enema or
colon cleanse used occasionally poses little risk for a healthy individual. But
overuse can quickly lead to chronic constipation or even bowel injury.
Also, talk with your doctor before making major changes to
your diet for colon health. This includes eating significantly more fiber,
resistant starches, juices, and smoothies.
Make sure to also be careful when using herbal teas for a
colon cleanse. Some herbs can impede or affect certain medications. Laxative
herbs can also be harmful if overdone. Overuse of laxatives reduces the body’s
ability to move stool and can result in chronic constipation.
If you have a chronic illness, speak with your doctor before
doing a natural colon cleanse at home. Colon cleanses aren’t right for
everyone.
Summary
Natural colon cleanses may help improve digestive health.
Whether they truly “cleanse” the colon is up for debate.
To ensure that you have the best experiences possible while
using them, always see your doctor.
Source : www.healthline.com