The company claims the products “flush out up to 30 pounds” and “detoxify your body,” but adds the disclaimer that “these statements have not been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).” The company also does not reveal what type of laxative is in the product. And that is concerning.

Earlier this year the FDA issued a black box warning on prescription oral sodium phosphates, or OSPs, a type of laxative used to cleanse the bowel before procedures such as colonoscopies, following several reports of a serious kidney injury following use of OSPs.

OSPs are also sold over-the-counter and are safe in lower doses as a laxative, but many people use the solutions in higher doses to cleanse the bowel. The black box warning on prescription brands Visicol and Osmo Prep prompted C.B. Fleet to pull its line of over-the-counter OSP products from the market. If the colon cleanse company is falsely making claims from big name celebrities, one can only wonder what type of laxative is in their pills.

SOURCE: Fleet Attorney › Oprah, Oz sue colon cleanse company over false advertising

A clean and productive colon is key to preventing non-digestible bacteria and toxins that linger in the intestinal wall from reabsorbing into the body. That means, for optimal health one should eliminate waste two to three times a day – or within six to 18 hours after every meal.

The best way to get things moving? A healthy plant-based diet high that’s high in fiber. This, too, helps reduce one’s risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and “other 21st Century diseases,” according to Alive, without the discomfort of colon cleansing treatments and the threat of serious complications.

“Eating the right foods can clear your colon of debris,” according to Alive. Plant-based foods are the best pick. Choose from vegetables, fruits, beans, seeds, nuts and whole grains that are high in fiber. A high-fiber diet contains plenty of non-digestible product that sweeps through the colon and naturally cleans it out.

That sweeping motion massages and exercises the intestinal tract, which stimulates the peristalsis. It also retains water, which helps to soften stools, making them easier to pass. Foods with both soluble and insoluble fiber are best for the colon and include items such as flax seed and oats.

Most people only consume 10 grams of fiber a day, but experts recommend between 20 to 35 grams for optimal health. To increase your fiber intake, aim to have five or more servings of fruits and vegetables and six or more of whole grains every day.

SOURCE: Fleet Attorney › High fiber diet is safest way to clean colon

Many colon cleansing products claim to produce rapid weight loss, but studies have shown that the weight loss from colon cleansing is from fasting and water loss, not the melting away of fat that would be most beneficial. Along with water loss, Endyke says, “is a risk of electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and a weakening of the colon muscle from stimulant laxatives, resulting in a dependence on the product for regular bowel movements.”

In some cases, use of colon cleansing products can be dangerous to your health. Earlier this year the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its sternest safety warning for prescription oral phosphate drugs used to cleanse the bowel before procedures such as colonoscopies after receiving numerous reports of a rare but serious form of kidney failure, known as acute phosphate nephropathy or nephrocalcinosis, among patients who used the drugs. The prescription drugs that fell under the warning include Visicol and OsmoPrep.

That warning translated to a concern about over-the-counter laxatives such as Fleet Phospha-soda made by C.B. Fleet. While considered safe for use in low doses to treat occasional constipation, the products have been recommended for use in larger doses by doctors for patients prior to procedures. Colon cleansing enthusiasts have also turned to the products, and the FDA has raised concerns about the safety of those products. As a result, C.B. Fleet has pulled those products from store shelves and has made them available by prescription only.

Endyke says the body has an elaborate defense and removal system that involves not only the gastrointestinal system but also the skin, immune system, kidneys and liver that work to ride the body of natural and synthetic chemicals we ingest daily. Her suggestion for keeping your colon clean – “eating several fruits and good portions of vegetables, as well as cereal fibers, and whole grains daily.”

Source: Taunton Daily Gazette

SOURCE: Fleet Attorney › Colon cleansing products may be hazardous to your health