Is colon cleansing good for your gut health?
Let's talk about.
Colon cleansing is quite popular. It basically consists of enemas or water flushes of the lower colon.
Colon cleansing can also include:
- Fasting
- Dietary changes
- Laxatives to increase bowel movements
But does a colon cleanse rid your body of toxins?
Well, not systemically. While it does temporarily relieve constipation, research is lacking regarding the effectiveness of colon cleansing.
There are a few methods that actually help to normalize intestinal functioning.
It is important that you have regular bowel movements to help prevent colon cancer. In order to do that you need to drink enough water and eat enough fiber. You need at least 25 grams of soluble and insoluble fiber every day and at least half an ounce of water per pound of body weight.
One of the most effective ways to get your colon moving is to add a small amount of psyllium either a powder or capsule form. Even if you have diarrhea, psyllium can help bulk up your stool. If you’re constipated, psyllium helps draw water into the intestine to ease the passage of feces.
Dietary fiber can be obtained through nuts, beans, seeds, and whole grains. Plus, eating fermented foods can help increase the diversity of the microbiome in your gut.
Eat foods that are high in resistant starches (which cannot be absorbed by your intestine) like tubers, beets, potatoes, yams, parsnips, green bananas, buckwheat and millet. Resistant starches can help to improve the gut microbiome function.
So if you do wish to go do any colon cleanse, my recommendation is that you start with a liver cleanse diet.
Your liver holds toxins that can be passed through your bowels. The liver cleanse I recommend for my patients to help clean their colon as well is all dietary and lasts for three to seven days. It is crucial that your bowels are moving so your liver can effectively dump toxins so be sure to increase your water intake and use psyllium if necessary.
If you have any questions about colon health and want access to my liver cleanse diet, please join us in our Hormone Reboot Training.
Resources:
Natural Colon Cleanses: Everything You Need to Know
Effects of Bowel Cleansing on the Intestinal Microbiota
Does colon cleansing actually remove toxins from your body?
Not systemically. Colon cleanses — including enemas, colonic irrigation, and laxative-based cleanses — may temporarily relieve constipation and flush the lower colon, but there is little clinical evidence that they remove toxins from the body at a systemic level. The liver and kidneys are the body's primary detoxification organs, which is why supporting liver function is often a more effective approach.
What's the difference between a colon cleanse and a liver cleanse?
A colon cleanse targets the lower digestive tract using water flushes, enemas, or laxatives to stimulate bowel movements. A liver cleanse focuses on supporting the liver's ability to process and excrete waste through dietary changes — typically over three to seven days. Because the liver filters toxins that are then excreted through the bowels, a liver cleanse diet can effectively support colon health as well.
Is colon cleansing safe?
Occasional, gentle approaches like increasing dietary fiber and water intake are generally safe. However, frequent colonic irrigation or aggressive laxative use can disrupt the gut microbiome, cause electrolyte imbalances, and irritate the intestinal lining. Anyone with digestive conditions should consult a healthcare provider before attempting a colon cleanse.
What does psyllium do for colon health?
Psyllium is a soluble fiber that works in both directions: it bulks up loose stool to help with diarrhea, and draws water into the intestine to ease the passage of stool when you're constipated. It's one of the most effective and gentle ways to support regular bowel movements without harsh laxatives.
How much fiber do you actually need for a healthy colon?
You need at least 25 grams of fiber daily — a mix of soluble and insoluble types — along with at least half an ounce of water per pound of body weight. Good sources include nuts, beans, seeds, whole grains, and fermented foods, which also support microbiome diversity.
What are resistant starches and why do they matter for gut health?
Resistant starches are carbohydrates that pass through the small intestine undigested and ferment in the large intestine, feeding beneficial gut bacteria. Foods high in resistant starch include tubers, beets, potatoes, yams, parsnips, green bananas, buckwheat, and millet. Adding these to your diet can improve gut microbiome function without any kind of formal "cleanse."
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