Articles of Interest


7 Day Colon Cleanse - The Standard In Cleansing

by Craig Tannie

For a variety of reasons, most people who subscribe to alternative medicine have a positive view of the 7 day colon cleanse program. Many of them believe that through auto-intoxication, the body manufactures its own toxins and must eliminate them to keep the body healthy. Most people eat diets low in fiber, which impairs bowel function and thus makes a colon cleanser necessary.

Most people with a basic understanding of how the body works know that bowel health can be improved through a healthy diet. However, many people don't eat well due to time constraints or bad dietary habits. A colon cleanse thus seems more logical than greatly altering one's diet. Given the choice, many people would prefer a 7 day colon cleanse to a new, permanent dietary regime.

There are many colon cleanser products available on the market. Some are stand-alone products, while others are kits containing several different items meant to be used together. Many colon cleansing protocols require colonic irrigation and/or enemas to completely empty the bowels. Some plans require occasional fasts or special diets, with a few allowing no solid food intake during the seven days during which the cleansing is to occur.

Why is it that so many colon cleansing products use a seven day period? It may be as simple as the familiarity of a one-week schedule. Seven days is not a long enough commitment of time to daunt many people. Some people believe that a natural seven day cycle, linked to the menstrual cycle or the phases of the moon, governs health. Some believe that it takes seven days to remove toxins from the lymph or blood. Whatever the reason, a 7 day colon cleanse cycle has become the standard used by many such products.

Many 7 day colon cleanse advocates believe that there is a lot of fecal material stuck within the digestive tracts of most people. Others, including most traditional physicians, reject this belief entirely. In either case, there appears to be little harm from using bulk formers and otherwise inducing bowel emptying for seven days. As with any product designed to improve one's health, safety must come first. Consult your doctor to make sure that this program will not threaten your health.

The majority of the 7 day colon cleanse type of regimes rely on psyllium seed as the main ingredient; it's a natural product that works very effectively, when combined with water, to stimulate the intestines to function and empty. Psyllium is commonly used in the majority of the laxative/fiber supplements produced for routine usage due to it's gentleness. Some colon cleanse routines will add other components, like bentonite clay (for removal of toxins), or senna (a laxative/purgative), but these types of additives run the risk of causing cramping and bloating, and thus may be less safe.

Many people who practice alternative medicine recommend the 7 day colon cleanse for a variety of reasons. Some subscribe to what is called "auto-intoxication" when it is believed that the body creates toxins and poisons itself when these are not properly eliminated, Modern diets often lack the fiber for efficient bowel function, requiring the use of a colon cleanser. Some plans add other herbs and substance for colen cleanse, such as bentonite clay which is supposed to remove toxins from the body. Other may add senna or other laxative or purgative preparations, but these can cause cramping and diarrhea and may be less safe.

Published October 13th, 2007

Filed in Fitness, Health, Weight Loss