Colon Cleansing Safety Tips

If you have a problem with constipation, which option would you choose to remedy the situation? Over The Counter (OTC) laxative drugs, enemas or purgatives? Colon hydrotherapy? Oxygen-based colon cleansers? Herbal colon cleansers?

OTC laxative drugs usually take about eight to twelve hours to work their way through your system. They are usually taken with warm water the night before so that you experience results by morning. Colon Hydrotherapy needs to be conducted by a skilled technician using highly sterilized equipment.

Oxygen-based colon cleansers (which use the oxidation process to “loosen” matter) may work for many, but they do not contain fiber which science has established, as necessary for optimal colon health1. All three of these methods cleanse only the colon—with no viable result on overall health. They do not help to enhance the performance of other eliminatory organs such as the liver, the kidneys, and skin.

Experts say herbal colon cleansers are the better choice because they aid the body in performing the elimination process naturally. They also help to support immune health because they help to maintain a balanced microflora2. Because they are herbal, these colon cleansers are not under the direct supervision of the FDA, but consumers who do their homework will recognize strong natural ingredients and be able to choose a reliable, quality product manufactured by a GMP-certified company.

When making your choice of a colon cleanser, remember these safety tips.

Don’t Become Dehydrated: The body loses fluids when using over–the-counter stimulant laxative drugs and purgatives. These colon cleansers work by absorbing water from the body. This could upset the balance of potassium, sodium, magnesium and phosphorous in the body and can affect the function of vital organs. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration when using any colon cleanser.

Avoid Addictive Colon Cleansers: Some colon cleansing methods simply purge the body of accumulated waste without engaging the peristaltic muscles of the colon (the muscles used to move food along the digestive tract, and ultimately to disposal). Prolonged use of such colon cleansers causes peristaltic muscles to lose their natural ability to contract leading to greater dependence on laxative drugs. There are a growing number of people who use laxative drugs as a means to lose weight. This is not safe and can present a number of health risks.

Don’t Wash Out Good Bacteria: Prolonged use of OTC laxative drugs and colon hydrotherapy treatment can lead to a weakened immune system since such treatments wash out necessary bacteria and the protective mucus lining. Good bacteria are needed to produce certain nutrients, immune cells and to maintain the colon health.

Consult your Doctor: If you suffer from frequent bouts of constipation or diarrhea you should consult your doctor who may want to perform a thorough examination. Ask your doctor about taking a colon cleansing product that adequately suits your needs. Pregnant and Nursing Women are advised not to wait until after nursing before taking any medications since certain ingredients could harm or adversely affect baby’s delicate health. Such women should consult their doctors before taking any type of medication.

Allergen Sensitivities: Always check if the product contains gluten or other allergens that could trigger a reaction. Many colon cleansers are gluten free and allergen sensitive. check for these and consult your doctor before taking any colon cleanser.

Colon Cleansing and Prescription Medicine: If you are taking prescription medicine, you should consult with your doctor before starting a colon cleanser program. Ingredients found in certain colon cleansers could effect, react with or dilute the efficacy of the prescription drug.

Medical Conditions: If you are suffering from diabetes do not use laxatives which could contain dextrose, fructose or sucrose–ingredients found in many natural laxatives. If you are suffering from an inflamed appendix or have a fever, or are suffering from vomiting, nausea, or other maladies or health disorders, it is advisable that you do not use a colon cleanser unless it is recommended by your doctor.

Safety for Children: Colon cleansers are not intended for children. Do not administer a colon cleanse product to your child without consulting your doctor first. Keep colon cleansers and other medicines away from the reach of children. Many laxative drugs come in the form of chocolates or flavored syrups which can be very tempting to children. Proper Storage: Many colon cleansers require you to store them in a cool, dry place or keep them refrigerated. Read the instructions on the label and follow through on them for efficacy of ingredients.

Follow Instructions Carefully: There are colon cleansing programs that require restrictions on your diet. Some may even require you to fast. Others simply require you to drink 8 glasses of water. Read through all instructions carefully and follow them closely. Colon cleansing products will also include contraindications on the labels. Be careful to check if any of contraindications apply to your particular situation.

Again,—it is important that you consult your doctor before choosing a colon cleansing method. Safety is vital when choosing a colon cleansing product. A reliable, trusted manufacturer will ensure a quality product with ingredients that are safe for your body. Study the ingredients and how they work in the body. Many herbs have been studied extensively in recent research studies. The main aim of colon cleansing is not only to provide safe and immediate relief from constipation, but to aid in regulating your system for natural cleansing and elimination of waste.

Nutritional colon cleansing can help to strengthen the functions of the eliminatory organs, thus supporting optimal general health. References: Vopr Pitan. 1998 ;(1):39-42. Dietary fibers in diet therapy. PMID: 9606867 Infection and Immunity. 1973 July; 8(1): 30-35. Effect of Colon Flora and Short-Chain Fatty Acids on Growth In Vitro of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae. Department of Medicine, The Medical College of Pennsylvania, and the Philadelphia Veterans Administration Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129.

Discover detox at The Farm

(The Philippine Star) Updated November 24, 2009 12:00 AM

Care for a gourmet breakfast at The Farm?

MANILA, Philippines - Our body is exposed daily to harmful elements in the diet and the environment, accumulating toxins much faster than we can eliminate them.

This toxification causes frequent body headaches and body pains, chronic respiratory and sinus problems, abnormal body odor and bad breath, food allergies, insomnia, depression and irritability, skin blemishes, constipation, bloating and gas, which are symptoms of illnesses.

Rediscover the body’s natural process of eliminating toxins with the detox programs of The Farm, Asia’s Center of Excellence for Holistic Health located amid the lush vegetation of Lipa City, Batangas.

This clinically-tested program aims to remove the cause of the disease before it makes people ill, using different routes such as skin, lungs, kidney, liver, colon, and the lympathic system.

Detoxification will clean the digestive tract, purify the blood and internal organs, improve metabolic functions, clear excess mucous and congestion, strengthen the body’s immune system, and allow better cell rejuvenation.

A recipient of the Spa Retreat of the Year and the Medi-Spa of the Year Awards from the prestigious Baccarat Asia, The Farm offers three detox programs, which include medically-controlled weight loss, effective diabetes management, and healthy gourmet food.

The programs start off with the “Discover Detox” which includes three days/two nights’ stay in a villa or suite accommodation, guided tour of The Farm, medical consultation, nutritional microscopy, and follow-up consultation with a doctor.

Other features include a colon hydrotherapy session with colon massage, a 30-minute massage under the stars, a 60-minute relaxation massage, a 90-minute purification treatment, and participation in the resort’s yoga and daily activities.

For a more intensive detoxification, there are the “Relax and Rejuve” and “Regain and Recover” programs which run for five days/four nights and seven days/six nights, respectively.

Moreover, The Farm also offers wellness getaways in its “Full Seven-Day Promo” available at any day of the week, be it a day tour or an overnight stay.

The “Day At The Farm” is the basic package, which includes a welcome drink, guided tour, a 60-minute spa treatment (relaxation massage, reflexology massage, lympathic drainage, earth facial, kitchen fresh facial), use of facilities, five-course gourmet lunch, live blood analysis (LBA) and a yoga session.

For details, call 884-8074/75, mobile 0916-5843855; visit www.thefarm.com.ph or e-mail info@thefarm.com.ph.

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This should be an interesting place to visit!

Juice Cleansing

A juice fast is great way to nurture your body, rebuild your immune system and restore yourself to a healthy way of living.

Raw fruit and vegetable juice contains many cleansing elements such as minerals, vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants to heal and detoxify the body safely.

Little energy is used by your digestive system during the cleanse, allowing the body to focus on rebuilding, renewing and healing. You might be surprised by how much energy you have after the first few days!

Is Juice Cleansing for Everyone?

Since juicing fulfills most of the body's nutrient requirements, your energy levels should remain high enough on this cleanse to continue working.

Ideally a juice fast should be done on a break in countryside or at the beach Getting in touch with nature while cleansing is the ultimate purifying and revitalizing experience. Its certainly possible to fit a juice cleanse around your everyday life too though.

If you can manage it, 3-10 days on this cleanse is enough to detox and heal the body. If you to plan to do longer, it is advisable to get professional supervision.

Juice Cleansing Instructions

You must only use freshly squeezed fruit, veggies and herbs. Try experimenting with combinations of beets, celery, carrots, apples, cucumber, garlic, ginger, cilantro, wheatgrass and cayenne pepper. All are excellent for cleansing.

It’s actually best to use a variety of different ingredients and vary your juices as much as possible - they all contain different important cleansing properties.

If you are juicing at home, you can add the also pulp from the juiced vegetable to make a broth. Just add water to a pot with the pulp and simmer for 15-20 minutes, then season the broth with cayenne pepper.

If you don’t have a juicer, you can buy the juice in your local health supermarket or juice bar.

Stages in a Juice Cleanse

A few days before the cleanse, try to change your diet to as many raw vegetables and fruits as possible. When you restrict your diet to juice only, it will be less of an adjustment.
When you are on the cleanse, drink 32-64 ounces of fresh squeezed juice per day plus 8 glasses of water to flush out toxins from your body. If you feel you need more juice that is ok. If you would like less, you can dilute the juice with water. A few things you must avoid - all other beverages (e.g. sodas, coffee or tea) and obviously no solid foods whatsoever!

Since you won't be consuming any fiber during your juice cleanse, it is important to take something that will stimulate your colon and prevent the toxins from being reabsorbed back into the body. A night time laxative tea is effective to get things moving. Psyllium husk and Bentonite clay are also excellent for drawing out toxins from the body.

Easing off a juice flush is important. It is best to start with raw salads and fruit for a few days, plus maybe some lightly steamed vegetables with brown rice. Don't go straight back on to the junk food!

Recipes

Here are a couple of ideas to get you started. See more on our juice recipe ideas page.
Kidney cleanser

Ingredients:
3 celery stalks
2 tomatoes
1 lemon, peeled
2 carrots
Water
Skin Cleanse

Ingredients:
1 Cucumber with skin
1/2 bunch Fresh Parsley
1 4-oz. tub Alfalfa Sprouts
4 Sprigs Fresh Mint
Water
Blood Builder (Iron-enriched)

Ingredients:
2 bunches Grapes
6 Oranges
8 Lemons peeled
1/4 cup Honey
Water

Parasite Cleanse

Most of us consider parasites like round worm, tape worm and seat worm to be problems in the Third World. Many people are shocked to hear that not only are they prevalent in developed countries too, but they may be one of the primary causes of diseases ranging from the common cold to even cancer!

Somewhere between 80% and 90% of people have parasites in their system. Dr Hulda Clark suggests that a parasite cleanse will rid your body of these nasty little organisms and leave your immune system free to combat other diseases. The irony is that we regularly deworm our pets, yet we rarely consider that we might have worms ourselves.

Sources of Worms and Parasites

Parasites can often be found in contaminated water supplies, particularly in less developed parts of the world. Don’t drink tap water or water from streams, rivers or lakes.

Unfortunately the popularity of sushi, ceviche, steak tartare and medium rare burgers have sent the rate of worm infestation shooting up. Always make sure your meat and fish are well cooked.

Pets can also give you worms, so be sure to regularly deworm them and don’t share dishes with them! Try to always wash your hands after handling them.

What are the symptoms of Parasite infection?

Many sufferers of parasites do not have any obvious symptoms, but if you tend to have diarrhea or other abdominal issues, burning or itching of the skin, it is possible that you have parasites. Other symptoms include:

IBS, Blood Sugar Fluctuations, Fatigue, Food Cravings, Rectal Itching, Bloating, Diarrhoea, Foul breath, Restlessness at night

So where do these parasites comes from? They can be found in the water you drink, the food you eat (if you don't wash it properly) and you can contract them from your pets or even your spouse! That's why there is such a large incidence of parasites in our population.

Parasite Cleansing Techniques

Parasites can lay thousands of eggs a day, most of which are killed by your immune system. But to kill the ones that are left you need some specific substances and compounds. We list here the major substances that have been found to kill parasites. It is possible to make your own deworming solution, but they are also available online or from your local health shop.

Regular consumption of anti-parasitic foods can also help - try adding raw garlic and onions, pumpkin seeds, apple cider vinegar, kelp and yogurt to your diet.

Black Walnut
Originally a folk herbal remedy, Black Walnut is now commonly used to kill the adults of around 100 different parasites.

Wormwood
Like black walnut, this kills the adult parasites. It can be found in tea, liquid or capsule form.

Cloves
Cloves actually kill the eggs of the parasite. Its important to use these first three remedies together, to kill both the adult parasites and the eggs at the same time so the colony cannot re-grow.

Pumpkin Seeds
Mashed up and mixed with juice, pumpkin seeds have been found to be effective against parasites.

Garlic
Whether mashed up, whole or in tablet form, Garlic is a great tool to combat parasite infection.

Once you have eliminated the parasites, its time to remove them from your system with a good colon cleanse. Mix Psyllium husks and Bentonite clay into your cleanse to fully clean out your colon and flush out any remaining organisms.

The last step is to change your diet so that the parasites do not come back. Add more garlic to your diet and reduce your intake of stimulants like coffee and sugar.

Apple Cider Vinegar Detox

Apple Cider Vinegar is a naturally detoxifying product that gently removes toxins from the body, purifies your blood and builds your immune system. From being almost unknown a few years ago, it has gained in popularity to the point that it now forms the basis of many diets and detox plans.

ACV is great for your health - it has antibacterial properties to fight germs, and also balances vitamin deficiencies caused by poor nutrition - but it has wonderful cleansing properties too.

Apple Cider Vinegar is full of antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and help slow down the aging process. It is also great for breaking down mucus in the body and encouraging the lymphatic system to eliminate wastes.

Other Benefits

Here are a few of the other benefits you can expect from Apple Cider Vinegar. Scroll down the page for more details on how to take it.

• Increase your energy levels

Apple Cider Vinegar is also excellent to give you a little pep for your exercise regime. Many find increased energy levels and better stamina in the gym.. which means burning more calories of course.

• Increase your metabolism

Apple Cider Vinegar also has been shown to increase your metabolism. It is thought that this is something to do with its potent combination of vitamins, minerals and trace minerals. Apple Cider Vinegar is especially high in potassium.

• Suppress your appetite

Apple Cider Vinegar is a great fat reducing tool. It can be helpful in getting rid of those last few stubborn pounds that a healthy diet and adequate exercise program can’t seem to shift. It suppresses your appetite if you get hungry between meals, and discourages you from attacking that second helping.

• Reduce bloating

ACV is a powerful diuretic, so it will also ensure you aren’t carrying around any unnecessary water weight. Megan Fox spoke recently about her ACV cleanse, "It's just water and raw apple cider vinegar, and it just cleans out your system entirely. It will get rid of, for women who retain water weight, from your menstrual cycle and all that, it gets rid of it really fast."

• Stabilize your sugar levels

Apple Cider Vinegar has been shown to stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce insulin spikes after eating. These insulin spikes signal the body to store fat, so you're much better off without them! This is one reason why Apple Cider Vinegar has been touted as a natural supplement for Diabetes sufferers.

How do you take Apple Cider Vinegar?

You have three options for taking ACV as part of your detox. Take it before you eat in water or a fruit juice, add it to your meal as a dressing, or take a bath in it!

Before your meal

Try adding 2-3 teaspoons of ACV in a large glass of water or your favorite juice. It works well with tomato juice.

Be sure to dilute Apple Cider Vinegar as it is highly acidic. Don’t drink it straight or you could damage your tooth enamel. Ideally, drink the diluted ACV with a straw to protect your teeth.

If you can’t bear the taste or if it feels uncomfortable to drink alternately you can buy capsules from your local health food store.

During your meal

Apple Cider Vinegar can also be used to dress a whole array of foods. Here are a couple of really easy recipes for dressings.

ACV & Olive Oil Dressing
3 Tbsp ACV
3 Tbsp olive oil
salt, pepper to taste

ACV, Garlic & Canola Oil Dressing
3 Tbsp ACV
3 Tbsp canola oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
Salt, pepper to taste

ACV, Honey & Yogurt Dressing
3 Tbsp. ACV
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
3 Tbsp. organic yogurt
1/4 Tsp. honey
Salt, pepper to taste

Mix ingredients well, ideally in something you can really shake up. Add to salads, grilled veggies, fish and chicken, then enjoy!

In your bath

A hot baths with ACV is also a great detoxification method. It is great for flushing out toxins through your skin, and any excess uric acid from the body. Just add 2-4 cups of ACV to a hot bath, lie back and soak for 20 minutes!