Health Advice

I have heard about colon cleansers on the news and Internet. When—if ever—is colon cleansing a good idea?

A hundred years ago, it was felt that a daily bowel movement was important to good health. Prolonged retention of stool in the colon was thought to release toxins into the body and possibly be associated with colon cancer and other maladies. This was a driving force leading to the establishment of the breakfast cereal industry.

We now recognize that there is little difference in health between individuals who have three bowel movements a day and one bowel movement every three days—though we still do believe that adding fiber to the diet decreases the risk of constipation and helps to lower cholesterol. Whole grains provide better nutrition and are released into the body more slowly, thereby preventing reactive hypoglycemia. Apples, prunes, and bulking agents such as Metamucil, Citrucel, or FiberCon promote bowel regularity and can prevent some of the cramps and episodes of diarrhea and constipation associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Actual cleansing of the bowel is only necessary in preparation for diagnostic procedures such as colonoscopy or elective surgical procedures on the intestinal tract. Bulk electrolyte mixtures such as MiraLax can be taken in small quantities to keep bowels regular or in larger quantities to provide watery diarrhea, removing the vast majority of fecal material in the colon.

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