Is colon cleansing good or not?

Dec 29, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhao Haiming
Introduction
Frequent colon cleansing is not good for the body. Occasionally performing colon cleansing may have certain health benefits. When constipation occurs or a person desires weight loss, cleaning the intestines can help remove retained feces, toxins, or fatty substances from the body and reduce the absorption of fats in the intestines, thereby aiding in relieving constipation and supporting weight loss. However, frequent colon cleansing increases the risk of infection.

In daily life, some people often use colon cleansing to maintain intestinal health, yet they may not fully understand whether colon cleansing is actually beneficial. So, is colon cleansing good or not?

Is Colon Cleansing Beneficial?

Frequent colon cleansing is not good for the body. However, doing it occasionally can have certain benefits. When there is fecal buildup in the intestines or when someone wishes to lose weight, cleaning the colon can help remove residual feces, toxins, and fatty substances from the body, reducing the intestine's absorption of fats and thereby helping address constipation and support weight loss.

Moreover, in clinical practice, there are two types of enema methods: one is cleansing enema, and the other is oral bowel preparation. The former usually involves injecting normal saline or warm soapy water through the anus under pressure, which helps relieve pressure in the lower digestive tract—especially the sigmoid colon—and alleviates constipation, achieving a partial colon-cleansing effect. The second method involves orally taking polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder, magnesium sulfate, or mannitol. After ingestion, patients are required to drink large amounts of sugar water, saline, or clear broth.

However, frequent colon cleansing increases the risk of infection and may lead to dependency, potentially impairing normal bowel movements and intestinal absorption functions. Therefore, frequent colon cleansing is not recommended. If you experience any physical discomfort, it's advisable to seek timely medical evaluation to identify the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment. We hope this information has been helpful. Wishing you good health and happiness.


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