Protect Yourself and Report the Latest Frauds, Scams, Spams, Fakes, Identify Theft Hacks and Hoaxes
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Colon cleansing products are back on tv again, touting how vital it is for you to use these supplements to "get rid of toxins" embedded in your colon, and up to "5 pounds of undigested meat" that are "stuck in your colon". Can it be that your colon isn't able to flush out waste? Isn't this the purpose of a colon?
Advocates of colon cleansing claim that toxins from your gastrointestinal tract can cause a variety of health problems, such as bloating, arthritis, allergies and asthma. There is one product which is heavily advertised, called Colon Flow, that claims "Remove Excess Waste And Toxins! Experience Increased Healthy Energy!" On their website, they say: "... undigested meat and other foods can cause a buildup of mucus in the colon. This mucus produces toxins that are then absorbed into the bloodstream ultimately poisoning the body. This is referred to as autointoxication."
Other advocates believe that colon cleansing, also called "a colonic" or a colonic irrigation, improves health by removing toxins, promoting healthy intestinal bacteria, thereby boosting your energy and enhancing your immune system.
There's little evidence from credible sources that colon cleansing produces these effects. Of course the manufacturers and sellers of these products often cite their own studies, which are neither independent nor accepted by credible medical authorities and medical researchers. So, rather than taking the manufacturer's word, let's examine what independent and credible medical authorities say:
In answer to the question "Is colon cleansing a good way to eliminate
toxins from your body?",
Dr.
Michael F. Picco, of WedMD, says:
"Although doctors prescribe
colon cleansing as preparation for medical procedures such as colonoscopy,
most don't recommend colon cleansing for detoxification. In fact, colon
cleansing can sometimes be harmful. Colon cleansing can cause side effects,
such as cramping, bloating, nausea and vomiting. ... More serious concerns
with colon cleansing are that it can:
The American Cancer Society says: "Available scientific evidence does not support claims that colon therapy is effective in treating cancer or any other disease. Rare cases of infection and death have been reported."
WebMD says colonic cleaning is unnecessary because:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements used in oral colon-cleansing regimens and manufacturer claims do not require verification or supporting evidence. The contents of the products are also not verified or tested. The FDA has issued several letters warning manufacturers and suppliers of colon hydrotherapy equipment about making false claims of effectiveness, safety issues and quality control violations.
A quick search in Google turns up the following complaints about unauthorized charges and ineffectiveness of the products:
We believe using colon cleansers is idiotic and is literally flushing your money away. Eating a healthy, balanced diet, including natural fiber, as is found in vegetables, fruits, oatmeal, etc., has been shown in reputable, credible medical studies to reduce the risk of colon cancer and improve health over all. Ingesting unregulated supplements or pushing garden hoses into your anus seems an inherently stupid thing to do.
If you are going to consume a colon cleansing product, at least have the sense to follow this advice:
For a comprehensive list of national and international agencies to report scams, see this page.