A colon cleanse refers to methods used to clean out the large intestine. It often involves use of alternative therapies to supposedly flush and remove toxins from the colon.
Colon cleanses may involve use of:
- Laxatives
- Enemas
- Herbal teas
- Supplements
- Colon irrigation or colon hydrotherapy (performed by a medical professional)
The idea behind a colon cleanse is that foods decompose in the colon and release toxins that are harmful to the body. There is no scientific evidence that colon cleanses prevent illness or improve health, and in fact, they can be harmful. People who have a healthy, functioning colon should not have a need to cleanse the colon.
What Are Side Effects of a Colon Cleanse?
Side effects of a colon cleanse include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Dehydration
- Dizziness
Serious risks of a colon cleanse include:
- Bowel perforation
- Infection
- Depletion of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium
- Depletion of probiotics
- Changes to the gut microbiome
- Kidney damage
Is There Ever a Reason to Do a Colon Cleanse?
The only time a person would need to cleanse the colon is to prepare for a colonoscopy. In this case, a doctor will recommend how to prepare for the procedure.
In general, colonoscopy prep involves:
- Starting a few days before the procedure, consume a low-fiber diet
- Avoid fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains
- The day before the procedure, avoid solid foods
- Consume only clear liquids such as black coffee or tea (no creamer), clear juice, clear soft drinks, sports drinks, clear broth, popsicles, Jell-O
- Avoid red, blue, or purple liquids
- The afternoon or evening before the colonoscopy, you will need to drink a bowel-prep liquid as directed by your doctor
- The exact instructions depend on the product the doctor recommends
- Follow all instructions as specified
- These products may not taste good – to help them go down easier:
- Mix in some flavored drink mix (not red, blue, or purple)
- Add ginger or lime
- Chill the liquid
- Drink through a straw
- Hold your nose and gulp the liquid as quickly as possible
- Hold a lemon or lime wedge under your nose when drinking
- Suck a lemon wedge or a hard candy right after drinking each glass
- These products may not taste good – to help them go down easier:
- Make sure you are home for the prep and clear your schedule
- These products help empty the bowels but they can cause extreme, watery diarrhea
- It may be helpful to have extra medicated wipes on hand for use following bowel movements
- Skin-soothing products such as Vaseline or Desitin may also be useful
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing and stay near the bathroom
- Stay in the bathroom if needed
- Keep your tablet or laptop, books or magazines, or music handy to distract you
- The day of the colonoscopy, have clear liquids only and avoid eating or drinking two hours prior to the procedure
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https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/preparing-for-a-colonoscopy