Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

It seems every time you turn on the TV, flip through a magazine, or go online, you are faced with another commercial or infomercial about the benefits of detoxifying the body through magic pills or solutions. From detox diets and foot cleansings to nasal irrigation and colon clearing– the options are seemingly limitless. Proving the benefits of such toxin-removing practices is sketchy, says Dr. Tyrone M. in a column in the Phillippine Star. And some practices can be downright dangerous to your health.

Detox was once considered a medical procedure performed in hospitals or clinics designed to rid the body of dangerous and sometimes life-threatening levels of alcohol, drugs or poisons. Businesses picked up on the “healthier living through detox” idea, promoting various cleansings to eliminate toxins in the body that they say cause a host of nasty symptoms such as headaches, bloating, joint pain, fatigue and depression. But some of the body cleansing practices come with serious warnings.

Colon cleansing is perhaps the most talked about method of detox. The practice is used to cleanse the bowel prior to medical procedures such as colonoscopies. Some people follow a similar practice to relieve constipation or to cleanse their colon for health reasons. Solutions or pills – available both by prescription and over the counter – are taken by the consumer to induce a series of bowel movements designed to empty the intestines.

However, Dr. Reyes says there are serious risks associated with colon cleansing. For starters, the practice can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, impaired bowel function, and disruption of the intestinal flora. But an even more serious condition has been linked to some colon cleansing products called oral sodium phosphates, or OSPs. OSP products include prescription brands Visicol and Osmo Prep, and over-the-counter brands such as Fleet Phosopha-soda, and have been linked to a serious kidney injury known as acute phosphate nephropathy.

The bottom line, says Dr. Reyes, is that the human body is well equipped to ward off environmental toxins. “If you’re generally healthy, concentrate on giving your body what it needs to maintain its robust self-cleaning system – a healthful diet, adequate fluid intake, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and all recommended medical checkups,” he says. “If you experience fatigue, pallor, unexplained weight gain or loss, or changes in bowel function that persist for days or weeks, visit your doctor instead of a detox spa.”

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 at 9:25 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.