Detoxification - The Colon and Body Cleanse?

Answer 1

Detoxification is a process that, according to some people, removes toxic substances from living organisms, including human beings. There are many types of detoxification processes used to rid the body of a multitude of toxins. These processes may include alcohol detoxification, drug detoxification, metabolic detoxification and alternative medicine. Detoxification is referred to, by some, as body cleansing.

Body cleansing may be based on the idea of auto-intoxication. Auto-intoxication is an Ancient Egyptian and Greek belief, in which foods that were taken into the body actually putrefied and produced toxins that were capable of harming the body. In the early 19th century, biochemistry and microbiology supported the idea of auto-intoxication. By the early 20th century, the theory of detoxification became unpopular. In recent years, detoxification has started to make a comeback in the form of alternative medicine. Popular body cleansing practices today consist of colon cleansing, avoiding foods believed to cause toxins in the body, or using dietary supplements.

Detox dieting is a form of diet in which foods are avoided, that are believed to contain ingredients that are not necessary for human life. Ingredients believed to be unnecessary include artificial flavorings, colorings and preservatives. These ingredients are believed by some to produce toxins in the body. In detox diets, the foods consumed may be extremely limited and/or removed entirely. Some diets involve only drinking water or juice, also known as fasting. Supporters of the detox diets claim that the body burns fat that it has stored, thereby releasing fat-stored toxins. Claims have been made that noticeable effects such as a change in body odor prove that the cleansing is taking place.

Another form of detoxification is the colon cleanse, or colon therapy. There are a number of colon cleansing therapies that are all intended to aid in the removal of feces and toxins from the colon and/or intestinal track. In one method of colon cleansing an enema is used to inject water into the colon. The water can be used by itself, or some will mix herbs in with it. Oral therapies use dietary fiber, supplements, herbs, or laxatives to help in the removing of feces and toxins.

While detoxification is starting to become more popular, there is no scientific evidence to date that suggests these practices are necessary or are beneficial to the body.