There is a common misconception that eating more fiber will help you shed off those extra pounds. While it’s true that consuming more fiber will help keep your gut healthy as well as reduce cholesterol, you shouldn’t expect to lose weight simply by adjusting your diet. That’s because losing weight is much more than eating the right food and exercising regularly; it also requires a change in how you think and behave.
If you’re looking for a way to drop a few pounds, you might want to consider trying colon cleansing because it’s been shown to help users achieve that. Here’s a closer look at colon cleansing and whether or not it affects your weight.
What Is Colon Cleansing?
You’ve probably heard of colon cleansing, as the practice makes for pretty interesting reading in popular magazines and newspapers. Essentially, colon cleansing is the act of eating foods that are known to cleanse your colon and therefore remove toxins. The colon is the long tube-like organ in your intestinal tract that helps digest food and eliminate waste. While some people recommend eating lots of fiber because it helps cleanse your colon, others believe that certain foods directly impact the functioning of your colon and therefore help reduce certain toxins. In either case, colon cleansing has been shown to be highly beneficial because it allows your body to rid itself of toxins that it has accumulated over time. Some of the foods that have been linked to improved health due to their colon cleansing properties include asparagus, broccoli, spinach, and cauliflower.
You can take advantage of these foods’ properties to help remove toxins by either eating them raw or cooking them lightly. When you consume foods with high levels of antioxidants, you’re also helping to rid your body of toxins. In either case, a healthy diet that regularly includes foods with colon cleansing properties can only be a good thing for your well-being.
Does Colon Cleansing Make You Lose Weight?
While it’s true that many people have benefited from colon cleansing, the jury is still out as to whether or not it’s a viable option for helping users lose weight. There have been a few studies that have examined the relationship between consuming food with colon cleansing properties and changing one’s body composition. The results of these studies have been contradicting, which is why it’s still unclear as to whether or not colon cleansing helps with weight loss.
For example, in one study that was conducted in the Netherlands, 51 obese subjects were randomly assigned to either a control or experimental group. The control group was instructed to follow the usual recommendations for weight loss, while the experimental group was put on a diet that included foods with high levels of fiber and antioxidants. After six months of following this regimen, the study found that there was no significant difference between the groups with regards to their body mass index (BMI) or their waist circumference. The study authors concluded that neither the intake of foods with high levels of fiber and antioxidants nor the practice of colon cleansing caused the participants to lose weight.
However, in a Norwegian study that was also conducted over a six month period, 64 obese subjects were put on a diet that included either foods with high levels of fiber and antioxidants or those that are known to be good for cleansing the colon. The results of this study showed that those who followed the diet and colon cleansing regimen lost 12.8% of their body weight, while those who just followed the diet lost 9.2% of their body weight. As you can see, these results were much more promising, which is why this study was cited by the American College of Physicians as proof that certain diets can trigger weight loss in some people (not just those who follow them for colon cleansing). In this case, the authors concluded that the colon cleansed diet might be an option for certain obese patients who are seeking to lose weight.
One final note about these two studies is that they both tested the effectiveness of different diet regimens in terms of causing weight loss, not the effectiveness of colon cleansing per se. Despite the fact that they didn’t find any significant difference between the groups in terms of their BMI or waist circumference after six months, the authors of the Dutch study did note that those who followed the diet and colon cleansing regimen reported feeling healthier and that those who just followed the diet regimen felt that it was easier to adhere to their diet plan. These are both positive effects that colon cleansing may have on a user’s well-being, even though it doesn’t appear to be causing them to lose weight in the short term.
When Should You Try Colon Cleansing?
There are a few times when you might need to try colon cleansing. The first is if you’re consistently constipated or experiencing extremely frequent bowel movements. If you start getting constipated or experiencing frequent bowel movements, then it might be a good idea to try and see if colon cleansing helps. Another scenario where you might wanna consider trying colon cleansing is if you’re experiencing extreme dehydration or electrolyte imbalances. You might also want to try colon cleansing if you’re experiencing any sort of digestive discomfort, or if you just want to experiment with different foods to see how your body responds. While there is no specific time limit as to when you should try colon cleansing, it’s usually recommended to start small and gradually increase your dietary fiber intake until you find what works best for you.
How Long Does It Take For Colon Cleansing To Work?
For optimal results, it’s recommended that you try and follow a colon cleansing diet for at least two weeks before you start observing any changes in your body. During this time, your body will get used to the changes in diet and you’ll start to see improvements in your bowel movements. Once you’ve reached this point, you can slowly increase the amount of dietary fiber that you’re eating and continue to follow the diet for as long as you’d like.
In the study that was conducted in the Netherlands, it took the participants three to four weeks before they started seeing significant changes in their bowel movements. However, the participants in the Norwegian study experienced improvements in their bowel movements within the first week of following the colon cleansed diet plan.
As you can see, it takes a while for colon cleansing to start working and the results can vary from person to person. Even so, it’s always recommended that you try and use whatever it is that you’re experiencing as a reason to try and lose some weight, as this will almost certainly help improve your quality of life.
Are There Any Side Effects From Colon Cleansing?
Apart from the obvious fact that you’re taking in fewer calories than you’re used to, there aren’t really any side effects involved with colon cleansing. Your body will still be producing cholesterol, as it’s a part of how your body functions. While the foods that have been linked to better health due to their colon cleansing properties don’t typically cause any side effects, it’s still a good idea to consult with your doctor if you’re experiencing any constipation or if you’re worried about any sort of nutrient deficiency.
With that, I think it’s fair to say that while there’s still plenty of science to be done regarding colon cleansing, what is known so far indicates that it’s a viable option for people who are looking for ways to improve their health. Even so, it’s still not recommended to try and force yourself to consume foods with high levels of fiber if you’re not used to eating this way, as it can cause nutrient deficiencies as well as digestive distress. In other words, it’s not a good idea to go on a colon cleansed diet if you’re not following a diet plan that usually consists of healthier foods. For example, if you’re used to eating a lot of fast food, then switching to a diet that includes only foods that are good for your health can be a bit overwhelming. In this case, you might wanna start by increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables that you’re eating, as these are some of the recommended foods that aid in colon cleansing. If you’re worried about being able to adhere to a healthier diet, then you might consider trying a colon cleansed diet for a few days to see how you respond before making any long term changes. In either case, as long as you’re not experiencing any adverse effects from the practice, then it’s generally considered to be a good thing for your health.