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by M. L. Kiser

Created on: February 24, 2011

Colon Cleansers seem to be all the rage today, everything from natural cleansers to artificial and they can be quite beneficial for both cleansing out heavy metals and toxins from our bodies and losing some weight, but they are not for those who need to lose a lot of weight.  Anyone with only 1 or 2 pounds to lose or who has an extra pound of water weight might benefit more than the person who needs to lose 50+ pounds.

Most colon cleansers are either composed of stimulant laxatives, enemas, tablets, capsules, food products, powders and shakes or even some other type of internal flusher.  Ideally, these should be prescribed and administered by professionals, but many people buy them online and use them without the advice of professionals.

These products are composed largely of either artificial or organic ingredients and help the body to literally cleanse itself either by expelling or purging out waste, heavy metals and other toxins that have accrued in the body from what we ingest.  That’s great because these toxins, when building up in our bodies, can lead to many ailments and disease, even helping to break down our immune systems.  But while the occasional colon cleanse is may be highly beneficial, it is definitely not a long-term solution for losing weight.  Why?

For one thing, along with those toxins, your body eliminates water and electrolytes.  Electrolytes are important because they are compounds in our blood, such as, sodium, potassium chlorides, bicarbonates, etc., which help to keep our organs functioning correctly, they conduct electricity.

These electrically charged ions are also found in many sports drinks, but using these drinks to replace electrolytes quickly can lead to problems like diabetes because of the sugar content that sports drinks contain, so while they are a temporary fix for low electrolytes, they can also be harmful in larger quantities because they can help to create electrolyte imbalances that can lead to kidney failure, as well as, raising the blood sugar levels.

Overuse of colon cleansers can lead to a breakdown in many areas of your health, but many people have a tendency to overuse these cleansers, thinking that they can lose more weight, but in the long term, they can gain back even more weight because they are not changing their lifestyles to accommodate their body’s needs.

While dietary alterations and education regarding our bodies needed nutrients and proper amounts of them can lead to slower, but a more permanent loss of weight, many people today are the “fast-track” to nowhere because it’s natural for us to want to get thing done faster.  Those who want to drop 5-10 pounds in a week are not being realistic and do themselves more harm than good.

When taking 3-4 weeks or more to drop the same amount of weight is healthier, many of us want it done, right now and that is where the colon cleanse often comes to mind.

While it is true that our bodies naturally eliminate many waste products, they were not built to discern between heavy metal toxins or pesticides, herbicides and insecticides that are put in our food and drinks today and the natural waste that our bodies just don’t need.  We simply live in too much of a toxic environment for our organs to tell the difference between what is natural waste and what is poison.  Many of these food additives are not eliminated by our bodies natural processes and can build up inside of us, causing diseases like Alzheimer’s, Dementia, many Cancers, Parkinson’s and neurological diseases, among others; thus, the need for occasional colon cleansing.

You should consult a professional if you plan to use either artificial or natural colon cleansers; make certain that you do not do more harm than good with them by ensuring that your physician knows what you are doing.

Used too often, colon cleansers can lead to dehydration and the result of dehydration leads to further health problems like: fatigue, weakness, sweating, confusion, excess weight or obesity, energy loss, memory problems, cholesterol and blood pressure problems, constipation, vomiting, gastritis, ulcers or other digestive problems, loss of muscle mass, eczema, an acid-alkaline imbalance, cystitis or urinary problems, respiratory problems, malfunctioning of the organs like kidneys and bowel or rheumatism.

Any way that you view it, overuse or abuse of colon cleansers can be dangerous.  The old saying, “Everything in moderation”, is very true, especially when you use colon cleansers, so be safe, stay well and able to enjoy your life.

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